Light Wave Teacher Resources

Explore the behavior of light waves with a lab activity. Scholars build new vocabulary through experimentation and observation. Using different mediums, they model reflection, refraction, transmission, diffusion, and scattering of light.

Explore the behavior of light with different materials. Collaborative groups determine whether certain materials absorb, reflect, diffract, or transmit light waves. They then measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection.

Do radio waves create light? It's more difficult to understand the things we can't see than those that we can. The simulation compares the relatively small range of visible light to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. It graphs the size...

Let there be light in your classroom with a video that explains that light travels in waves, the electromagnetic spectrum contains seven colors, and the color of an object depends on which light waves it reflects and absorbs. With...

Rainbow science anyone? learners put the color specturm, frequency, light waves, and wavelengths into a light speed context. They use algebraic formulas to determine the speed of each light wave length. A great way to connect math and...

Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...

In this magnification worksheet, students read about how lenses magnify images and how to determine the magnification of an image. Students divide ten by the focal length which is found to be the measurement from the center of the lens...

Study diffraction patterns using CDs and DVDs! Scholars measure the diffraction patterns of a light wave as it hits a CD or DVD. Using the information, they can measure the distance between the tracks. 

Ninth graders investigate light as waves and view evidence of the types of light waves. They discuss the wave energy and wavelength of the various types of light.

How can light be both a wave and particle? A video explains the co-existing wave and particle nature of light. Using formulas discussed in previous lessons in the series, the instructor develops the formula that shows the relationship...

High schoolers discuss the light spectrum and light waves as well as how the properties of light and color have contributed to important discoveries about properties of the universe. They research the term redshift and the redshift...

In this wave behavior worksheet, students will complete a graphic organizer that identifies the 4 behaviors of waves and the 2 types of waves. Then students will answer 5 short answer questions about the properties of light waves and...

A fabulous presentation on light is here for you. In it, learners view slides which cover many important concepts of light. They understand exactly what light is, what the main sources of light are, what opaque, transparent, and...

Students explore light waves, refraction, and reflection. In this light lesson, students observe how light moves by using a flashlight. Students observe refraction and reflection.

In this light waves worksheet, students will measure the wavelength of different light waves and then calculate its frequency. This worksheet has 9 short answer questions and 10 fill in the blank questions.

Illuminate your physics class with this examination of a photovoltaic cell. Teach the structure and operation of the device using a diagram. Then make a human-powered, larger-than-life sized model of a PV cell. Learners become electrons...

Help your classes visualize light as a wave using an engaging video lesson. The 39th lesson of the Crash Course physics series highlights the characteristics of a light wave. The lesson continues by analyzing the behavior of waves during...

Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...

Young art historians create simple cameras to understand how artists use and manipulate light to capture images in photographs. Using a variety of everyday materials, they build the cameras to study the ways light can be manipulated in...

Students observe continuous and bright line spectra through a simple, inexpensive spectroscope that is suitable for classroom use and work through typical student laboratory exercises.

In this waves activity, students compare the characteristics of sound and light waves and determine the wavelength, amplitude, and speed of a wave. This activity has 9 problems to solve.

Learners read a variety of web-based articles to explore the history of human understanding of light. They investigate light waves and read about the work of Albert Einstein.

Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science lesson designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and graphs. The...

Here is a backyard explanation of the polarization of light. Using his porch railing, the video narrator demonstrates that if the grating is lined up with the direction of light waves, represented by a hula hoop, the waves are allowed to...