TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Students learn the basics of the electromagnetic spectrum and how various types of electromagnetic waves are related in terms of wavelength and energy. In addition, they are introduced to the various types of waves that make up the...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The Em Spectrum: Waves of Energy
Students are introduced to the electromagnetic spectrum through this group research activity. Each group investigates a different wavelength range within the em spectrum and reports back to class. Discussion ideas also included.
NASA
Electromagnetic Spectrum: Ultraviolet Waves
Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light. Though these waves are invisible to the human eye, some insects can see them. The specific wavelength values are given. Uses and applications of these waves are explained.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Light Spectrum
Kids learn about the science of the light spectrum. Wavelengths and frequencies of the electromagnetic waves including visible light, primary colors, and subtractive colors.
NASA
Nasa: Mission: Science: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Infrared Waves
Infrared light lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible light has wavelengths that range from red light to violet.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Frontline
This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE introduces the electromagnetic spectrum and explains how the various types of electromagnetic waves are distinguished by the amount of energy each wave carries.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color
The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed. Also, polarization, color, diffraction, and interference are introduced and discussed thoroughly as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light.
NASA
Nasa: Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum: Visible Light
Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. We see these waves as the colors of the rainbow. Each color has a different wavelength. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the shortest wavelength. When all...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fundamentals of Light
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate the fundamentals of light including its source, how it is defined for measurements, how we perceive color, and the situations that make an...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Electromagnetic Waves
Using a student-teacher dialogue format, this page discusses the nature of light as an electromagnetic wave and the electromagnetic spectrum.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Sound and Light
The Sound and Light unit provides students with an understanding of sound and light waves through the theme of the "Sunken Treasure," a continuous story line throughout the lessons. In Lessons 1-5, students learn about sound, and in...
NASA
Nasa: Imagers: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
NASA site provides information on waves, electromagnetic waves and their wavelengths.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Electromagnetic Waves and the Wave Nature of Light
In this interactive lesson about electromagnetic waves students will explore what they can see, what they can't, and what they know about the wave nature of this thing called "light."
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Light It Up
Through an introduction to the design of lighting systems and the electromagnetic spectrum, students learn about the concept of daylighting as well as two types of light bulbs (lamps) often used in energy-efficient lighting design....
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: The Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra
A tutorial on the electromagnetic and visible spectra. Discusses dispersion and how perceptions of white and black are related to the visible light spectrum.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Quantum Atom
Several pages with an interesting discussion of the visible light spectrum and atomic absorption and emission line spectrum. Features excellent graphics, thorough and understandable discussion, and many interactive Java applets.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Nasa Online: Light: Scattering Light
An introduction to the concept of the visible light spectrum provided in an animated format.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Electromagnetic Waves: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Photons
An article that discusses the coupling of an electric field with a magnetic field to create electromagnetic waves. Article also discusses how different types of electromagnetic waves have different wavelengths which forms the...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Blackbody Spectrum
How does the blackbody spectrum of the sun compare to visible light? Learn about the blackbody spectrum of the sun, a light bulb, an oven, and the earth. Adjust the temperature to see the wavelength and intensity of the spectrum change....
Space Telescope Science Institute
Amazing Space: Star Light, Star Bright
This online exploration provides an opportunity to identify the different properties of waves and the relationship that exists between energy, wavelength, and frequency. Correlate images from the Hubble Telescope to the wavelength,...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/light
Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Physics: Light Ii: Electromagnetism
Instructional module focusing on light and electromagnetism. Discussion includes historical discoveries that led to the understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to...
Space Telescope Science Institute
Amazing Space: Star Light, Star Bright
An online exploration where students learn the basics about light and the properties of waves and the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will also learn how to measure wavelength and frequency so they can understand the electromagnetic...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Wave Optics Study Guide
A study guide for concepts related to wave optics.