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Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: The Em Spectrum: Waves of Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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.
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Unit Plan
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Quantum Atom

For Students 9th - 10th
Several pages with an interesting discussion of the visible light spectrum and atomic absorption and emission line spectrum. Features excellent graphics, thorough and understandable discussion, and many interactive Java applets.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Scattering Concepts

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of several pages explaining the principles which underlie Rayleigh scattering of light.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Crossed Polarizers

For Students 9th - 10th
At this univeristy physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated. Methods for analyzing light to determine the degree of polarization are stated and explained with equations.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Methods of Polarization

For Students 9th - 10th
At this college physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated as well as the primary methods of polarization (scattering, reflection, and refraction).
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring Vibrational Frequency With Light

For Students 9th - 10th
Strike a key on the piano, and you hear the string vibrating. Just about any object vibrates when it's knocked, but how much and how fast? This project helps you find out. You'll build a simple light-sensing circuit for measuring the...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Visible Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson, the electromagnetic spectrum is explained and students learn that visible light makes up only a portion of this wide spectrum. Students also learn that engineers use electromagnetic waves for many different applications.
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Website
University of Maryland

Optics Highlights: Optics, Electromagnetic Waves, Quanta

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of an anecdotal history on optics and the study of light. Extremely thorough treatment of the scientific evidence which led scientists to believe in the particle nature of light. Includes a short biographical sketch and discusses...
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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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eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Color Addition

For Students 9th - 10th
Through illustrated example problems, and some interactive practice, students learn about color addition and color perception.
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Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Demonstration of Radio Waves Generated by Mobile Phone

For Students 9th - 10th
Described is a simple low cost home-made device that converts the radio wave energy from a mobile phone signal into electricity to light an LED. No battery or complex circuitry is required. The device can form the basis of a range of...
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Website
Other

Propagation of Light Using Geometry

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of Christian Huygens' contribution to wave optics, and particularly to our understanding of the reflection and refraction of light. Excellent diagrams and a geometric proof on why the law of reflection is mathematically...
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Interactive
NASA

Nasa: The Space Place: Match Light Faces With Heat Faces

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides information on the subject. "An infrared camera sees heat, rather than light. Can you match up the face in the infrared image with the same face in visible light?"
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Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: What Is Light?

For Students 9th - 10th
Acting as part of an overview on quantum theory, this section of the site answers the question, what is light? In answering the question, specific discussion is directed toward light waves and theories of light.
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Activity
Other

Confederation of Oregon School Administrators: Waves and Their Applications

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Every second billions of waves-sound waves, radio waves, light waves-pass through or bounce off our bodies. Over time people have developed technologies that make use of these natural phenomena to accomplish their goals such as creating...
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Unit Plan
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics for Kids: What Is Light?

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a short explanation of light, how it travels, and the speed in which it travels. Many other concepts related to optics can be found on this site as well.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Wavelength of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the characteristics of light, presents two formulas for calculating its wavelength, and provides a table of the different wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum.
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Article
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: What Is Scattering of Light?

For Students 2nd - 8th
Do you know why the sky is blue? Article defines scattering and how it works. Explains the difference between the scattering of light and reflection or refraction.
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Unit Plan
Florida State University

Florida State University: Light and Color: Reflection of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth discussion on reflection of light can be found here. Among the topics discussed include are the difference between specular and diffuse reflection, concave and convex mirrors, facets, total internal reflection, and much more....
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Diffraction

For Students 9th - 10th
[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...
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Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: A Voice on a Sunbeam

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is described a simple process to 'put a voice on a sunbeam' and transmit it over a distance. It is a fascinating example of amplitude modulation of light using sound vibrations. It then describes how the modulated light is detected...
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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
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Diffraction

For Students 9th - 10th
This physics department site provides links about the diffraction of light. Each page includes thorough explanations and meaningful graphics. Some pages include interactive problem-solving practice sections.
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Website
California Institute of Technology

Spitzer Science Center: Que Es El Infrarrojo?

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An excellent resource for Spanish speaking science students. Provides a thorough description of infrared light, what it does and how it is used. Provides excellent pictures depicting actual use.

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