Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waves

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the different parts of a wave. In this physics lesson, students explain how animals communicate using sound waves. They discuss the effect of Navy's sonar on dolphins and whales.
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,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wave Math

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students identify the different factors affecting the size and shape of ocean waves. In this math lesson, students calculate wave speed and wavelength given a mathematical formula.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun's Energy

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine how the sun's energy arrives as light with a range of wavelengths. They discuss the characteristics of light, examine the color of light using a spectroscope, and conduct an experiment using water and thermometers....
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...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Diffraction Demystified

For Students 9th - 12th
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. 
Interactive
McGraw Hill

Doppler Shift Interactive

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Ever wonder why a siren sounds different when it's coming toward you than when it's going away from you? It all depends on the motion of the sound waves! The interactive activity demonstrates how the Doppler effect impacts the motion of...
Activity
1
1
Teach Engineering

Quantum Dots and Colors

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Introduce teams to quantum dot solutions with an activity that has them expose solutions to a blacklight, observe the colors, and take measurements. Groups graph the data and analyze the dependence between particle size and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Wave Speed

For Students 9th - 12th
In this waves worksheet, students use the equation for wave speed to calculate frequency or wavelength. This worksheet has 5 problems to solve.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Waves Worksheet #2

For Students 6th - 8th
In this waves worksheet, students complete 7 fill in the blank questions regarding frequency, speed, amplitude and wavelength and how these properties relate to each other.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Wave Action

For Students 10th - 12th
For this waves worksheet, students compare the characteristics of sound and light waves and determine the wavelength, amplitude, and speed of a wave. This worksheet has 9 problems to solve.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wave Motion

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Young scholars observe and identify various waves. In this wave motion lesson, student use a Slinky, noise, people, and musical instruments to create waves and observe how each type of wave moves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine electromagnetic wave spectrum. In this science lesson, 5th graders discuss the aspects of the electromagnetic wave spectrum and complete a worksheet identifying the parts of the spectrum.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Waves with the Electromagnetic Spectrum

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

How to verify the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of light

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collaborate in heterogeneous groups with each student having a different role. They comprehend the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of light. They record their observations in a table that is included on this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Waves

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe and investigate wave properties and compare the properties of particles and waves. They fill a pie pan half full with water, place a toothpick in the center of the pie pan, then drop a marble into the pan and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Checking the Surf

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners read and discuss waves and their wavelengths and amplitudes. In this waves lesson plan, students draw the wavelength and amplitude of a wave and discuss tsunamis and storms.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Light Problems

For Students 9th - 12th
For this light worksheet, high schoolers describe the electromagnetic spectrum based on wavelength and frequency. Students determine the wavelength, frequency, and energy for given point on the spectrum. This worksheet has 10 problems to...
PPT
Curated OER

The Electromagnetic Radiation (Light ~ the Supreme Informant!)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This short slide show applies the electromagnetic spectrum to astronomy. First, electromagnetic radiation is introduced to viewers. Wavelength is defined and its unit of measurement explained. Finally, aspiring astronomers find that the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photosynthesis

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students recognize the importance of plants as they perform an experiment involving photosynthesis. Students determine the optimum wavelength of light for photosynthesis by exposing plants to different colors of light, collecting data,...
Activity
Colorado State University

How Do Long and Short EM Waves Interact with the Earth's Atmosphere?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Things are about to heat up in your classroom! A kinesthetic lesson asks learners to play the part of the gases in the earth's atmosphere and interact with the sun's radiation. The focus is to learn the impact of the increasing...
Activity
NASA

Build a Light Detector Inspired by Space Communications

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Data can travel on light waves ... who knew!?! Pupils explore the idea of using light waves to transmit data through space. They then build their own boards that detect a specific wavelength of light.
Worksheet
Curated OER

More About Electromagnetic Waves

For Students 5th - 12th
In this electromagnetic waves worksheet, learners compare the wavelengths of different types of electromagnetic waves. This worksheet has 5 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interactive Online Light Activity

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students participate in an online interactive activity in which they discover types of light, wavelengths of light, and how astronomers use different wavelengths. Activity includes links for other activities and lab activities including...