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Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Blackbody Spectrum

For Students 9th - 10th
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....
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Color Spectrum Chart With Frequencies and Wavelengths

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the visible light spectrum and learn the frequencies and wavelengths for each of the primary and secondary colors.
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Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Rainbow in the Room

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the properties of visible light and the sequence of colors in the spectrum using light shone through water and prisms. The lesson plan and accompanying slideshow can both be downloaded.
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Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Light and Photosynthetic Pigments

For Students 9th - 10th
What is light energy? Here we'll learn about the properties of light and how pigments such as chlorophylls absorb light energy.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Color

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Frontline

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/light

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Light It Up

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Through an introduction to the design of lighting systems and the electromagnetic spectrum, students learn about the concept of daylighting as well as two types of light bulbs (lamps) often used in energy-efficient lighting design....
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Emission Spectrum

For Teachers 9th - 10th
We will reintroduce the students to the electromagnetic spectrum and visible light. We will talk about the states of electrons(ground and excited). The teacher will show a video link (Electrons in Atoms). We will then perform the science...
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Fundamentals of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate the fundamentals of light including its source, how it is defined for measurements, how we perceive color, and the situations that make an...
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Unit Plan
NASA

Nasa: The Space Place: Why Is the Sky Blue?

For Students 5th - 8th
Learn about colors of light by exploring how prisms work. Discover the different colors of the spectrum and how the visible light is what we see.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa: Mission: Science: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Infrared Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
Infrared light lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible light has wavelengths that range from red light to violet.
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Unit Plan
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Temperature and Absolute Zero

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Snow: Snowy Colors

For Students 6th - 8th
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.
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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Light

For Students 3rd - 7th
A video and a short quiz on the basic concepts and vocabulary for understanding light energy.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: The Energy of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this introduction to light energy, students learn about reflection and refraction as they learn that light travels in wave form. Through hands-on activities, they see how prisms, magnifying glasses and polarized lenses work. They also...
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students learn what an electromagnetic wave is, gain a feel for the main parts of the spectrum, and work on problems involving basic properties of electromagnetic...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: The Visual Spectrum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students make simple spectroscopes (prisms) to look at different light sources. The spectroscopes allow students to see differing spectral distributions of different light sources.
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Unit Plan
My Science Site

Electromagnetic Spectrum: Colour and Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information on the different wavelengths that make up the electromagnetic spectrum. Also contains information on waves and color.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Visible Color Spectrum Wheel

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief explanation of the visible color wheel.
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Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagers: The Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Students 9th - 10th
NASA site provides information on waves, electromagnetic waves and their wavelengths.
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eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves/color: Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra

For Students 9th - 10th
This illustrated physics tutorial explains the electromagnetic and visible spectra of light using illustrated examples and interactive practice problems.
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eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Blue Skies and Red Sunsets

For Students 9th - 10th
Students will focus on the interaction of sunlight with atmospheric particles to produce blue skies and red sunsets.
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this very detailed lesson plan from NASA, learners investigate wavelength and frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum.