Science Struck
Science Struck: Wavelength of Visible Light Spectrum
Explains where visible light fits into the electromagnetic spectrum and the wavelengths for the different colors we see.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The Em Spectrum: Waves of Energy
Middle schoolers are introduced to the electromagnetic spectrum through this group research activity. Each group investigates a different wavelength range within the em spectrum and reports back to class. Discussion ideas also included.
NASA
Rxte Learning Center: Frequency, Wave Length, and Energy Activity
Resource focuses on the relationship between the frequency, wavelength and speed of light. Has a link to an interactive activity relating frequency, wavelength, and energy.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Color
This site from Georgia State University discusses the location of visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. Includes the wavelength values for various colors of light within the visible light spectrum.
NASA
Nasa: Imagine the Universe: What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv
In this very detailed lesson plan from NASA, students investigate wavelength and frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Color
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Overview of the different colors in visible light and how they relate to its wavelength, how a prism separates visible light into its different colors, the colors of...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Graphing the Rainbow
Students are introduced to different ways of displaying visual spectra, including colored "barcode" spectra, like those produced by a diffraction grating, and line plots displaying intensity versus color, or wavelength. Students learn...
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics in the Snow: Snowy Colors
A simple experiment through which students observe the connection between color and heat and prove that dark-colored objects and light-colored objects heat at different rates, even when exposed to the same heat or light source.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Temperature and Absolute Zero
A thorough, multipage discussion of color and color television sets that explains how an image is formed on the television using red, green, and blue light. Understandable discussion, excellent graphics, and many interactive Java applets.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Super Gelatin
Learners measure the angles of refraction of laser light traveling through gelatin, then plot their data to calculate the gelatin's index of refraction.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Sunspots on the Move
The following videos show sunspots using wavelengths of light that the human eye cannot see. Watch sunspots emerging on the earth's surface, a sunspot moving across the earth's surface, and the rotation of the sun as a sunspot evolves...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: What Is Albedo?
When light strikes an object it can cause reflection or absorption depending on the wavelength of the light and the property of the material that makes up the object. Watch this whiteboard animation for a full explanation and to find out...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Models of the Hydrogen Atom
How did scientists figure out the structure of atoms without looking at them? Try out different models by shooting light at the atom. Check how the prediction of the model matches the experimental results.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Quantum Dots and Colors
Students are introduced to the physical concept of the colors of rainbows as light energy in the form of waves with distinct wavelengths, but in a different manner than traditional kaleidoscopes. Looking at different quantum dot...
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: General Properties of Waves
Light travels as waves. Waves can be described by their amplitude, wavelength and frequency. The speed of a wave can be calculated from its frequency and wavelength.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Blackbody Spectrum
How does the blackbody spectrum of the sun compare to visible light? Learn about the blackbody spectrum of the sun, a light bulb, an oven, and the earth. Adjust the temperature to see the wavelength and intensity of the spectrum change....
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Dispersion
The phenomenon of light dispersion is explained with a formula and a practice form for calculating Abbe's number.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Particles and Waves
Acting as a subtopic of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook's section on Atoms and the Periodic Table, this site discusses wavelength and the uncertainty principle. Information is also provided on de Broglie wavelength and electron...
NASA
Electromagnetic Spectrum: Ultraviolet Waves
Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light. Though these waves are invisible to the human eye, some insects can see them. The specific wavelength values are given. Uses and applications of these waves are explained.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Radiation and Energy: Lesson 2
This lesson discusses the light spectrum and its influence on living things. It is 2 of 3 in the series titled "Radiation and Energy."
Science Struck
Science Struck: Versatile Uses of a Spectrophotometer
Explains what spectrophotometry is, the types of spectrophotometers, and what they are used for.
My Science Site
Prisms [Pdf]
Illuminate your classroom with this activity on prisms. Also includes additional experiments such as creating a water prism. This resource is in PDF form; requires Adobe Reader.
Other
Architectural Acoustics and Lighting: Room Acoustics
This site from Architectural Acoustics and Lighting provides a discussion of various factors affecting the acoustics of a given room. Room dimensions, the wavelength of the sound wave, the physical characteristics of the walls, the...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Cat Scans: Projecting Shadows
This page and the three pages which follow discuss how X-ray technology can be used to produce an image of the human body. Discussion is understandable and highly intriguing. Several interactive animations allow the visitor to explore...