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
National Institute of Open Schooling

Radioactive Pollution

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Radioactive pollutants can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, absorption, or injection. The last lesson in a series of 36 introduces pupils to radioactive pollution. They study its sources, both natural and man-made, its...
Activity
It's About Time

AC and DC Currents

For Teachers 7th - 12th
An informative physics lesson includes two teacher demonstrations, one on AC currents and the other on DC currents, allowing pupils to take notes while watching. The resource includes questions to assign as homework or...
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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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Globio

Glossopedia: Light

For Students 3rd - 8th
Light is a form of energy. We see it in many different forms all around us. It's the sunlight that pours through your bedroom window and wakes you up. Images and in-depth information on light can all be accessed in this article.
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University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Speed of Light

For Students 3rd - 8th
Using an interesting and intriguing format, this page discusses the question of "How does one measure the speed of light." Explanation focuses on Galileo's and Roemer's efforts to obtain a reasonable value. Also discusses Heinrich...
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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...
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University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia: Single Slit Diffraction Pattern of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains single slit diffraction and models how to calculate different characteristics of the light waves.
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Nobel Media AB

The Nobel Prize: The Dual Nature of Light as Reflected in the Nobel Archives

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses the historical figures who contributed to our understanding of the nature of light, x-rays, Quantum ElectroDynamic (QED) theory, and so on.
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CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics: Wave Optics Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
A study guide for concepts related to wave optics.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: How Does Light Travel Through Space and Other Media?

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed discussion of the nature of light, how it can travel through a vacuum, and how the speed of light is affected when light travels through a medium.
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American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Ole Roemer and the Speed of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides a concise overview of the speed of light and the Ole Roemer, the first man to measure it.
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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
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Wave Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
Two wave graphs depicting a sine wave and relating the various characteristics (wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and period) of a wave to each other. The site includes an interactive JavaScript form in which the visitor enters one...
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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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Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Crossed Polarizers

For Students 9th - 10th
At this univeristy physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated. Methods for analyzing light to determine the degree of polarization are stated and explained with equations.
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Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Methods of Polarization

For Students 9th - 10th
At this college physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated as well as the primary methods of polarization (scattering, reflection, and refraction).
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Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: What Is Light?

For Students 9th - 10th
Acting as part of an overview on quantum theory, this section of the site answers the question, what is light? In answering the question, specific discussion is directed toward light waves and theories of light.
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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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Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Diffraction

For Students 9th - 10th
This physics department site provides links about the diffraction of light. Each page includes thorough explanations and meaningful graphics. Some pages include interactive problem-solving practice sections.
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.
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Other

University of Tennessee Knoxville: Diffraction and Interference

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what diffraction and interference are, and what kinds of patterns are produced when light waves pass through a single slit, a double slit, or a diffraction grating. Includes three problems for students to try, with solutions...
Handout
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics: A Gentle Intro to Optical Design: Wave Particle Duality

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the manner in which light behaves as both wave and particle. This dualistic nature of light is one topic of many on the page.

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