Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students learn what an electromagnetic wave is, gain a feel for the main parts of the spectrum, and work on problems involving basic properties of electromagnetic...
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves/color: Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra

For Students 9th - 10th
This illustrated physics tutorial explains the electromagnetic and visible spectra of light using illustrated examples and interactive practice problems.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Above the Clouds: Telescopes on Mauna Kea

For Students 9th - 10th
This video segment adapted from First Light explains why the highest peak in the Pacific, Mauna Kea, is an ideal site for astronomical observations. Featured are new telescope technologies that allow astronomers to explore the universe...
Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Living Room: Remote Control Tricks

For Students 6th - 8th
An easy experiment through which students learn about light rays and the electromagnetic spectrum. Requires a TV, its remote, and a hand-held, flat mirror.
Handout
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.
Handout
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...
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Electromagnetic Waves and the Wave Nature of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
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."
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.
Activity
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere Activity

For Students 9th - 10th
In this computer-based virtual lab, students will learn about the layers of Earth's atmosphere by launching virtual balloons to collect temperature and pressure data at various altitudes. Given a limited number of balloon flights,...
Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Supernovae Remnants

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of supernova remnants with many embedded links to help define terms used in the description. The specific topics are age and the importance of remnants to us and the types. Definitions of key words are provided.
Handout
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.
Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Understanding Electromagnetic Radiation

For Students 9th - 10th
Briefly explains the different types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Handout
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.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Light It Up

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Through an introduction to the design of lighting systems and the electromagnetic spectrum, learners learn about the concept of daylighting as well as two types of light bulbs (lamps) often used in energy-efficient lighting design....
Handout
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.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this very detailed lesson plan from NASA, students investigate wavelength and frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum.
Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Stanford University: Invisible Rays

For Teachers 7th
This lesson focuses on investigating the electromagnetic spectrum using ultraviolet beads. Students learn how material properties change as the size of the material decreases to the nanoscale.
Handout
Friesian School

Proceedings of the Friesian School/the Quantacized Atom

For Students 9th - 10th
A very lengthy page from friesian.com discussing Bohr's theory of electronic energy levels and the explanation of commonly observed atomic emission line spectra. The concept of a photon and Einstein's observation of the photoelectric...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: How Can We Measure the Wavelength of Light Emitted From Stars?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity is designed for students to apply their knowledge of mathematics and physics to "real life" situations. Students are presented with the situation that they are on a camping trip and wish to know the wavelength emitted by a...
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Electromagnetic Energy and Why It Is Important

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what electromagnetic energy is, the history of its discovery, some terms used when talking about it, and gives some facts about it.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Wavelength of Visible Light Spectrum

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains where visible light fits into the electromagnetic spectrum and the wavelengths for the different colors we see.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: A Simple Explanation of How Electromagnets Work

For Students 9th - 10th
Gives a brief history of electromagnets and describes the parts of an electromagnet and how one works. Includes labeled illustrations and examples of their many applications.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Electromagnetic Radiation

For Teachers 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about electromagnetic radiation and the effects it creates. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Electromagnetic Waves: Origin and Theory

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the history of the discovery and study of electromagnetism, the scientists who worked on it, the basic principle, how wavelength and frequency are related, and types of electromagnetic waves.