Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley Lab: The Particle Adventure: Wavelength, the Cave
This analogy story explains the manner in which the wavelength of light affects the maximum resolution of a microscope.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Light
A video and a short quiz on the basic concepts and vocabulary for understanding light energy.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Light and Color Refraction of Light
Comprehensive and sophisticated overview of light refraction includes an historical overview of the subject and explanations of the mathematics that underpin refractive indexes, the relative index of refraction, Snell's law, and light...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Sound and Light
The Sound and Light unit provides students with an understanding of sound and light waves through the theme of the "Sunken Treasure," a continuous story line throughout the lessons. In Lessons 1-5, students learn about sound, and in...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Light
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In the following tutorial students will describe the relationships between speed, wavelength, and frequency of light. They will understand the photoelectric effect...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Exploring Light: Absorb, Reflect, Transmit or Refract?
In a hands-on way, students explore light's properties of absorption, reflection, transmission and refraction through various experimental stations within the classroom. To understand absorption, reflection and transmission, they shine...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Blue Skies and Red Sunsets
Find out how some wavelengths of light are scattered more than others producing blue skies and red sunsets.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Jewel Box Sun
See the sun like you have never seen it before! Using a specialized telescope, NASA developed images of the sun created from a wide range of wavelengths of light. Each wavelength is represented by a different color making a beautiful...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Diffraction Calculations
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate diffraction of light and the interference patterns that are produced through constructive and destructive interference of the waves. Students...
University of California
Uc Berkeley: How Do You Measure a Light Wavelength?
Cool science site tests your knowledge of light by exploring the question: "How do you measure a light wavelength?" Allows users to test themselves as well as provides additional activities on wavelength and amplitude.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: The Path Difference
After looking at a representative two-point source interference pattern with accompanying order numbers, students investigate the rationale behind the numbering system, and develop some mathematical equations that relate the features of...
Space Telescope Science Institute
Amazing Space: Star Light, Star Bright
An online exploration where students learn the basics about light and the properties of waves and the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will also learn how to measure wavelength and frequency so they can understand the electromagnetic...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves/color: Two Point Source Interference Pattern
Students investigate the underlying causes of two-point source interference pattern. They also discover that the spatial separation between the antinodal and nodal lines in the pattern is related to the wavelength of the waves.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Nasa Online: Light: Scattering Light
An introduction to the concept of the visible light spectrum provided in an animated format.
Space Telescope Science Institute
Amazing Space: Star Light Star Bright
A few short, interactive activities on light waves can be found on this site. Numerous others links and teacher resources are posted here as well. A good background on light is offered for teachers.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves/color: Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra
This illustrated physics tutorial explains the electromagnetic and visible spectra of light using illustrated examples and interactive practice problems.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Light Wave
[Free Registration/Login Required] Are there colors we don't see? This simulation addresses that question by exploring light as an electromagnetic wave. Learn how the electromagnetic wave relates its wavelength and frequency to the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Wavelength
Understand the method used to measure wavelength and how light waves are associated with colors based on wavelength.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Light From Atom
Determine the wavelength, in nanometers, of light emitted from an atom.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: Why Do Scientists Think That Light and Sound Are Waves?
Light travels as transverse waves and can travel through a vacuum. Sound travels as longitudinal waves and needs to travel through a solid, liquid or gas. Read about the properties of light and of sound, and learn the differences between...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Chemistry Simulation: Neon Lights
[Free Registration/Login Required] Neon lights are a type of discharge tube. Observe how electrons create colored light in a hydrogen gas discharge tube. Can you figure out why hydrogen's emission spectrum contains more than one color of...
NASA
Nasa: Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum: Visible Light
Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see. We see these waves as the colors of the rainbow. Each color has a different wavelength. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the shortest wavelength. When all...
Science Struck
Science Struck: Color Spectrum Chart With Frequencies and Wavelengths
Read about the visible light spectrum and learn the frequencies and wavelengths for each of the primary and secondary colors.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Radiant Emissions Lab
This lab is designed to allow students to look at the relative proportions of different wavelengths of light that are emitted by stars at different temperatures.