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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss different ways engineers use light. In this engineering lesson, students are introduced to the properties of light and the way light is used. They view a demonstration of light waves using a slinky, and practice using...
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Instructional Video1:22
PBS

Electromagnetic Spectrum | UNC-TV Science

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Illuminate lightwaves, even those not visible to the human eye, in a concise activity about the electromagnetic spectrum. Pupils watch and listen to an animated video describing the electromagnetic spectrum as well as frequency and...
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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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light 3: All Those Seeing Color, Say Eye!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the nature of light. They use on-line articles and a worksheet to explore the roles of the eye and brain in the perception of color. They draw and label a diagram illustrating the movement of light.
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

It's Not All Visible

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Electromagnetic waves travel though empty space, something no other wave type can accomplish. Young scientists learn more about the entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves. They sort cards and apply their knowledge to create models of...
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PPT
Science Geek

The Dual Nature of the Electron

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Why don't atoms collapse? Scientists debated this concept for years before they understood the dual nature of the electron. Presentation discusses the electron as both a particle and an energy wave. It also relates these concepts to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Introduce starting space scientists to the electromagnetic spectrum, expecially the portion of visible light. Teach them about wavelength and frequesncy. Then give them a roll of adding machine tape and a manila folder to make a...
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PPT
Curated OER

Spectral Lines

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Slides and slides of emission spectra bring this topic to light for your physics class! Exited electrons returning to lower energy levels is offered as the cause of emission spectra. In summary, viewers learn that we can determine the...
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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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Worksheet
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Spectrum Worksheet

For Students 7th - 10th
These six multiple-choice questions ask pupils to evaluate the energy, wavelength, and frequency of particular electromagnetic wavelengths. Further questions then require them to apply their knowledge and convert certain values or give...
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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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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

Why Is the Sky Purple?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The color of the sky depends on the time of day. Young scholars experiment with scattering different wavelengths of light to recreate the color of the sky. They observe both the longer blue wavelengths and the shorter red and orange...
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Assessment
Curated OER

Physics 152 Fall 2004 Final Exam, Parts A, B, C, D

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
At the end of a general physics course focused on light and electricity, you can administer this exam. Concepts covered include electromagnetism, circuits, induction, light rays, lenses and mirrors, characteristics of light, electron...
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Activity
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IOP Institute of Physics

Physics in Concert

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What do physicists and musicians have in common? A lot more than you might think. After first viewing a slide show presentation and completing a series of skills practice worksheets on the physics of light, sound, and electricity, young...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Light and Optics

For Students 9th - 12th
In this science learning exercise, students look for the words to fill in the crossword puzzle that is focused upon the concepts of light and optics.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Measuring Star Temperatures

For Students 7th - 9th
In this measuring star temperatures, students find the temperature of a star using Planck's curve and the Wein Displacement law. Students also find the peak wavelengths for given stars using Planck's curve.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Light and Temperature on the Growth and Development of Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development. In this plant growth lesson plan, students use radish plants and cover them with different shades of green and red transparencies and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Light: Lesson 2 - The Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the Electromagnetic Spectrum and realize there is energy beyond visible light. They identify parts of the EM Spectrum.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Check Out Lights and Shields with Beads

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Ultraviolet detecting beads and conduct several investigations with them.  In this investigative lesson students participate in an experiment to see the harmful effects of UV light and discuss their findings. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light 2: The Lighter Side of Color

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore light and color, including how colors are mixed to produce new colors, how light is filtered, and how light is reflected off of surfaces.
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Lesson Plan
Messenger Education

Sensing the Invisible: The Herschel Experiment

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
The electromagnetic spectrum includes everything from very powerful gamma rays (which are used to treat cancer) to much weaker radio waves (which include microwaves). Through a hands-on activity, scholars explore the temperature...
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Article
NASA

Taking a Cold, Clear Look at the Universe

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Take a look with another perspective. Pupils read to find out what portion of the electromagnetic spectrum a space telescope sees and the difficulties of viewing infrared radiation from other objects in space. Individuals discover how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Waves with the Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore various types of electromagnetic waves, the range of the spectrum, and common sources of electromagnetic waves.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine electromagnetic wave spectrum. In this science instructional activity, 5th graders discuss the aspects of the electromagnetic wave spectrum and complete a worksheet identifying the parts of the spectrum.