Curated OER
Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum
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.
NASA
Nasa: Imagers: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
NASA site provides information on waves, electromagnetic waves and their wavelengths.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Wmap: "Baby Picture" of the Universe
View the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) image from NASA to see the first detailed map of the oldest light in the universe, from 379,000 years after the Big Bang, over 13 billion years ago. A second image offers a visual...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Microwaves
How do microwaves heat up your coffee? Adjust the frequency and amplitude of microwaves. Watch water molecules rotating and bouncing around. View the microwave field as a wave, a single line of vectors, or the entire field.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Einstein's Legacy: Microwave Ovens
A series of pages describing the theory behind microwave ovens and illustrating the manner in which they cook food. Many interactive sections, highly visible content, and interesting explanations. It's definitely worth a visit!
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Electromagnetic Waves
Through informational text, interactive activities, practice problems, and virtual simulations, students explore the properties of electromagnetic waves.
NASA
Nasa's the Space Place: A Trip to the Land of the Magic Windows
Explore the electromagnetic spectrum and learn about each type of energy on the spectrum.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Frontline
This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE introduces the electromagnetic spectrum and explains how the various types of electromagnetic waves are distinguished by the amount of energy each wave carries.
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics in the Microwave: Microwave Soap
An experiment involving a bar of soap and a microwave through which students explore how microwaves affect molecules.
University of California
U.c. Berkeley: Spectra From Space
View the entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and get information on telescopes especially designed to view different wavelengths of the spectrum.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Einstein's Legacy: Microwave Ovens
A series of pages that explain how microwave radiation is utilized by ovens to cook food. Includes several Java applets.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Microwaves
What makes those kernels pop inside your microwave? A whole lot of water interacting with a whole lot of high-frequency electromagnetic waves. (Java tutorial)
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Magnetron 1920
Although they have applications at the highest levels of scientific research, magnetron tubes are used every day by non-scientists who just want to heat their food in a hurry.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation
This site from The Florida State University provides an informational page on electromagnetic radiation discusses the characteristics and properties of its many forms including X-rays, gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, infrared...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Microwaves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Microwaves and their uses, and how cell phones and radar work.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Light, Matter, Energy: Light the Way
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.
Other
Weather Questions: How Does Weather Radar Work?
Radar (which stands for RAdio Detection And Ranging) transmits microwaves in a focused beam. Some of this microwave energy bounces off of objects and returns to the radar to be measured. The radar sends pulses of energy, rather than a...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Lesson 2
This lesson will introduce the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties and uses of the waves it contains. It is 2 of 4 in the series titled "Electromagnetic Spectrum."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Lesson 3
This lesson will introduce the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties and uses of the waves it contains. It is 3 of 4 in the series titled "Electromagnetic Spectrum."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Lesson 4
This lesson will introduce the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties and uses of the waves it contains. It is 4 of 4 in the series titled "Electromagnetic Spectrum."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Lesson 1
This lesson will introduce the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties and uses of the waves it contains. It is 1 of 4 in the series titled "Electromagnetic Spectrum."
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Types of Electromagnetic Waves
Kids learn about the types of electromagnetic waves in the science of physics including microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, radio, x-rays, and gamma rays.