Lesson Plan
Multiverse

Rainbows of Light: The Visible Light Spectrum

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Rainbows can teach us about the visible light spectrum. Learners observe multiple items that clearly display a rainbow to develop better connections. The lesson then explains wavelength using a rope to make waves.
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Curated OER

Reflection and Refraction

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
What is a prism? A place for light waves that commit minor refractions! The thorough resource includes three hands-on investigations covering light reflection and refraction; mirrors, lenses, and images; and optical systems. Subject...
Handout
NASA

Nasa: Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum: Visible Light

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Wave Particle Duality

For Students 9th - 10th
The dualistic nature of light is discussed. The photoelectric effect and the Davisson-Germer experiment are contrasted as empirical evidence supporting each of the two views - particle and wave - of the nature of light. The photoelectric...
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics: Wave Optics Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
A study guide for concepts related to wave optics.
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Scattering Concepts

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of several pages explaining the principles which underlie Rayleigh scattering of light.
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NASA

Nasa: Mission: Science: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Infrared Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Johns Hopkins University

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Students 9th - 10th
NASA related site shows the entire Electromagnetic Spectrum. Provides a brief description of the expansive colored spectrum as well as a related link that provides more details.
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Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Color

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Georgia State University discusses the location of visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. Includes the wavelength values for various colors of light within the visible light spectrum.
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American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Light, Matter, Energy: Light the Way

For Students 3rd - 8th
What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it work? Review a captioned graphic that explains electromagnetic radiation and the visible and invisible types of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: Wavelength of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the characteristics of light, presents two formulas for calculating its wavelength, and provides a table of the different wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum.
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NASA

Electromagnetic Spectrum: Ultraviolet Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Oklahoma Mesonet

Oklahoma Climatological Survey: Overview of Radiation

For Students 9th - 10th
This site details what radiation is, the physics of radiation, and radiative transfer as it occurs in nature. Content explores the electromagnetic spectrum, electromagnetic waves, properties of radiation, and solar radiation.
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NASA

Nasa's the Space Place: A Trip to the Land of the Magic Windows

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the electromagnetic spectrum and learn about each type of energy on the spectrum.
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Florida State University

Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Electromagnetic Radiation

For Students 9th - 10th
This Florida State University page introduces light as an electromagnetic wave and discusses the frequency and wavelength range of the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Includes links to some interactive Java applets.
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Trinity College Dublin

The History of Mathematics: Young

For Students 9th - 10th
A short sketch of the life and work of Thomas Young (1773-1829 CE). Traces early upbringing and education and his scientific discoveries and contributions.
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NASA

Nasa: The Space Place: The Land of the Magic Windows

For Students 3rd - 8th
This is a site from NASA that contains an interesting and fun way to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum. Kate receives a strange riddle from her grandfather. Find out what it says and go through the gateway to the Land of the Magic...