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Activity
Exploratorium

Diffraction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Kindle knowledge of how light travels by using this activity in your physical science curriculum. By setting up a candle flame or flashlight bulb and viewing it through a slit, observers of light see evidence of its wave characteristic....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atomic Emission Spectra and the Bohr Model of the Atom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the wavelengths of spectra lines for common atoms. In this atomic emission spectra lesson plan, students use a transformer and diffraction grating to observe the emission spectra of various atoms. They find the...
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Activity
Exploratorium

Spectra

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Make a class set of spectrum tubes by first purchasing some diffraction grating, and then constructing the tools with mailing tubes or shoe boxes. If you aren't up for assembling them, you could purchase prepared spectroscope kits. This...
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PPT
Curated OER

Fun Physics You Can See

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Fascinating aspects of electromagnetic radiation and its use in obtaining and transferring information are described here. Learners will find the connections to current technology interesting. Although the slides are text-heavy, they do...
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Designing a Spectroscopy Mission

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
In this mind-bending activity, young engineers explore this question of whether or not light actually bends. Using holographic diffraction gratings, groups design and build a spectrograph. The groups then move on research a problem...
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Activity
Discovery Education

Through the Looking Glass

For Teachers 6th - 9th Standards
Turning white light into colors only takes a little scientific know how! Young scholars create their own spectroscope in a hands-on activity exploring the properties of light. Using a diffraction grating, they discover how white light...
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Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

Designing an Open Spectrograph

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Take the class over the rainbow. Pairs or small groups follow directions to create a spectrograph. The pupils measure the angles formed by the different colors of the spectrum along with calculating the lengths formed by the spectrum and...
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Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

Graphing the Rainbow

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Here's a colorful resource about spectra. An intriguing lesson teaches pupils about diffraction grating and about absorption and emission spectra. They see how to represent spectra using line plots and try out this skill in a matching...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diffraction of Laser Light, Polarization and Color Filters

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate light behavior by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics lesson, students calculate the wavelength of the light source using an equation. They determine what color is produced when light of...
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Activity
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Lines on Paper - Laser Box

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
See what you cannot see by getting a little creative. An intriguing lesson has learners use lasers to explore X-ray diffraction. Given a box with unknown structures, they shine a laser through the box and interpret the results....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring the Wavelengths of Visible Light

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars demonstrate use of an Emission tube power supply, a diffraction grating, and a scientific calculator to determine the different wavelengths of light.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Grating Spectrometer; Light and Wavelengths

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a paper model that demonstrates wave interference for 3 wavelength from 2 sources. For this light and wave lesson, students use a real spectrometer and observe and measure the wavelength of spectral lines. Students then,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE MANY COLORS OF SUNLIGHT

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine rainbow components, spectral colors, colors perceived by the eye, hot solids, glowing rarefied gas, absorption, that light is a wave, and optics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Periodicity (The Periodic Table)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the properties of elements and periodicity. For this periodicity lesson plan, students observe a bag of 'elements' which are different fruits and classify them in groups and periods, show the periodic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Spectral Fingerprints

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils listen as the teacher introduces Newton's early discovery of the diffraction of light. They use multiple sources of light (fluorescent, incandescent, sunlight, etc) to bend the light. They first use a prism then a diffraction...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe light being separated into a color spectrum.  In this electromagnetic lesson students use a diffraction grating to separate light and compare light sources. 
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Activity
Cornell University

Building Spectroscope

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Given specific materials, scholars follow a set of instructions to build and calibrate their very own spectroscopes. After construction, they test the scope for accuracy and make modifications where necessary.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Color and Light Spectrum Demonstrations

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the light spectrum. The teacher uses holographic diffraction grafting film on an overhead to demonstrate the true nature of color. After observing a vivid rainbow, students recognize that white light is composed of all...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Sleuthing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson which includes flame tests and the construction of a simple diffraction spectrograph with which to measure sodium ion emissions. They use the Bragg equation to compute the wavelength of the line spectra produced.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Overhead Spectroscopy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the relevance and importance of data collection and analysis techniques that use different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. They observe the basic concepts of the visible electromagnetic spectrum and the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grating Spectrometer

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the Balmer series. In this physics lesson, students observe hydrogen lamp spectra using spectrometers. They calculate wavelength and compare them with their theoretical calculations.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Physical Optics: The Wave Nature of Light

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are introduced to the wave nature of light. In groups, they discuss Young's experiment and how diffraction and interference demonstrate the wave nature of light. Using examples, they show constructive and destructive...
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Lesson Plan
Chymist

Build a Spectroscope

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Assist your emerging scientists with construction of their very own spectroscopes. Individuals construct a spectroscope to identify elements used in varying lights within a particular environment. They conclude the activity with a class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Light, Star Bright

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Four modules are a part of this stellar lesson plan. Space scientists view the electromagnetic spectrum, they generate waves on a computer screen in order to measure frequency and wavelength, discover how light is related to temperature,...

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