ASPECt
Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation
Energy can be transferred by electromagnetic radiation.
Item NG039003: A boy will feel cooler when he holds a blanket up between him and a radiator because the blanket is blocking the energy being given off by the radiator.
A radiator is a device used to heat up a room. When a student stands close to the radiator, he feels warm even though he is not touching the radiator.
What will happen if the student holds a blanket up so that the blanket is between himself and the radiator but not touching him?
- He will feel warmer because blankets keep people warm.
- He will feel cooler because the blanket is blocking the energy being given off by the radiator.
- He will feel the same because holding the blanket up will not change the temperature of the air in the room.
- He will feel the same because he will still receive the same amount of energy from the radiator even if the blanket is between himself and the radiator.
- Distribution of Responses
- Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult]) - 490
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1737 | 3562 | 49% |
| Grades | |||
| 4–5 | 274 | 713 | 38% |
| 6–8 | 760 | 1540 | 49% |
| 9–12 | 703 | 1309 | 54% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 804 | 1654 | 49% |
| Female | 900 | 1813 | 50% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 1588 | 3163 | 50% |
| Other | 116 | 299 | 39% |
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- PS4.B When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat). Shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) can ionize atoms and cause damage to living cells.
- NRC Framework
- PS4.B Any object emits a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that depends on its temperature.