HS - PS4.A (B) - Digital Transmission and Storage - ASSIGNED (RC)

Module: Digital Transmission and Storage

DCI: PS4.A (B) Information can be digitized (e.g., a picture stored as the values of an array of pixels); in this form, it can be stored reliably in computer memory and sent over long distances as a series of wave pulses.

PE: HS-PS4-2 Evaluate questions about the advantages of using a digital transmission and storage of information.

PE: HS-PS4-5 Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.

[Clarification Statement: Examples could include solar cells capturing light and converting it to electricity; medical imaging; and communications technology.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessments are limited to qualitative information. Assessments do not include band theory.]

The ideas are: 

- information can be digitized

- in its digitized form, information can be stored reliably in computer memory

- digital information can also be sent over long distances as a series of wave pulses

We can ask students to explain why storing information digitally is advantageous to traditional means.

We can also capitalize on the idea that wave properties allow the use of digital transmission and storage. 

HS - PS4.C (1) and PS4.B (3) - Wave Interactions and Technology

Module: Wave Interactions and Technology

DCI: PS4.C (1) Multiple technologies based on the understanding of waves and their interactions with matter are part of everyday experiences in the modern world (e.g., medical imaging, communications, scanners) and in scientific research. They are essential tools for producing, transmitting, and capturing signals and for storing and interpreting the information contained in them.

DCI: PS4.B (3) Photoelectric materials emit electrons when they absorb light of a high-enough frequency.

 PE: HS-PS4-5 Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions to transmit and capture information and energy.

 [Clarification Statement: Examples could include solar cells capturing light and converting it to electricity; medical imaging; and communications technology.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessments are limited to qualitative information. Assessments do not include band theory.]

The ideas are 

- the understanding of waves and their interactions with matter is part of everyday experiences in the modern world

- this is essential for producing, transmitting, and capturing signals and for storing and interpreting the information contained in them

- photoelectric materials emit electrons when they absorb light of a high-enough frequency 

So, students really are supposed to be able to convey some amount of information about how wave behavior has lead to the ability to transmit and capture information in the form of energy. This is all qualitative...