Science Portfolio Instructions

• Portfolio for Semester A Waves Portfolio 2025-2026.
• Instructions:
  • Create a copy of this Portfolio to fill it out.
  • Do not request editing access.
  • Options include printing it or copying it to Google Docs or Microsoft Word (File → Make a Copy).
  • Download a finished copy once filled in and upload it into the Waves Apply Dropbox in Connexus (Unit 2, Lesson 13).
• This assignment is worth a total of 20 points and is the Critical Course Task for Semester B.
• Contact your Science teacher for any inquiries.

I. Analyzing the Data

1. Questions Worth 3 Points:
   • Type of Answers: A, B, F
2. Questions Worth 2 Points:
3. Experiment Summary:
   • Sam performed an experiment involving four electromagnetic waves transitioning from air into a different medium.
   • The wavelengths before and after the transition were recorded in a table, detailed below:

4. Select Waves in a Denser Medium than Air:

   • Selected: B (X), D (Z)

5. Device Design Question (Worth 3 Points):

   • A scientist designs a device to mimic Earth's atmosphere by blocking high-energy waves.
   • Three High-Energy Waves to Block:
     • b. X-ray
     • d. Ultraviolet
     • e. Gamma Ray.

II. Modeling

6. Farsighted vs. Nearsighted Glasses Comparison (Worth 5 Points)

   • The purpose of glasses varies based on vision needs:
     • Farsighted Glasses: Help people see close-up objects clearly.
     • Nearsighted Glasses: Help people see distant objects clearly.
   • Lens Types:
     • Nearsighted Glasses:
     • Type of Lens: Concave Lens.
     • Light Entry: Light rays from the object enter the front surface of the concave lens.
     • Light Exit: Light rays bend outward exiting the back surface, correctly focusing on the retina.
     • Lens Shape: Thinner in the middle, thicker at the edges, curving inward.
     • Farsighted Glasses:
     • Type of Lens: Convex Lens.
     • Light Entry: Light rays from the object enter the front surface of the convex lens.
     • Light Exit: Light rays bend inward exiting the back surface, focusing on the retina.
     • Lens Shape: Thicker in the middle, thinner at the edges, curving outward.

7. Visual Examples of Lenses:

   • Convex Lens: Insert example here.
   • Concave Lens: Insert example here.

8. Sound Propagation Scenario (Marco Listening to Music):

   • Reason Marco Hears Music:
     • D. The sound is being diffracted around the corners of the doorway.

III. Reading & Evidence Questions

9. Lab Report Overview:

   • Experiment Title: Comparing Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves by Removing the Medium.
   • Research Question: How does removing air affect the ability of mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves to travel?
   • Hypothesis: If air is removed, an electromagnetic wave will weaken or stop, while a mechanical wave will continue to travel.

10. Materials for the Experiment:

    • Smartphone or small speaker.
    • Sound app with constant tone.
    • Flashlight.
    • Sealed container or bell jar.
    • Vacuum pump or simulated vacuum (teacher-led).
    • Stopwatch.
    • Data table.

11. Procedure Description:

    • Part A: Mechanical Wave – Sound
      1. A speaker plays a constant tone.
      2. The speaker is placed in a sealed container filled with air.
      3. Loudness is observed and rated.
      4. Air is gradually removed from the container.
      5. Observations recorded at various air levels.
    • Part B: Electromagnetic Wave – Light
      1. A flashlight is turned on inside the same sealed container.
      2. Brightness is observed with normal air.
      3. Air is gradually removed.
      4. Observations of brightness recorded as air decreases.

12. Data Collected:

    • Part A: Sound (Mechanical Wave):
      • Trial 1: Full Air - Loudness: 5; Sound was loud.
      • Trial 2: Reduced Air - Loudness: 3; Sound became quieter.
      • Trial 3: Very Little Air - Loudness: 1; Sound was barely heard.
    • Part B: Light (Electromagnetic Wave):
      • Trial 1: Full Air - Loudness: 5; Light was bright and steady.
      • Trial 2: Reduced Air - Loudness: 5; No change in brightness.
      • Trial 3: Very Little Air - Loudness: 5; Light was still clearly visible.

13. Results Overview:

    • Removing air caused sound to decrease in loudness.
    • Removing air had no noticeable effect on light brightness.
    • Analysis Result: Hypothesis proves incorrect; sound wave weakened while light remained unaffected.

14. Variable Identification (Worth 2 Points):

    • Independent Variable: Amount of air in the container.
    • Dependent Variable: Loudness of the sounds and the brightness of the light.

15. Purpose Explanation:

    • To ensure changes observed were due to air presence or absence and not experimental variances.

16. Conclusions:

    • Sound requires a medium for travel, while electromagnetic waves like radio waves can propagate through a vacuum.

Waves Portfolio Grading Rubric

• Grading Breakdown:

  • Analyzing the Data (8 Points)
  • Correct and accurate completion yields full points.
  • Modeling (7 Points)
  • Analysis of models correctly completed yields full points.
  • Analyzing Informational Text (5 Points)
  • Reading text prompts and correct completion also yields full points.

• Total Points Possible: 20

• Final Submission Grade: ___ / 20