Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Purpose:
To explore the Electromagnetic Spectrum using a variety of interactive Internet resources and hands-on activities.
An electromagnetic spectrum is an arrangement of electromagnetic waves according to wavelength and frequency.
The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays
Identify and compare the wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum using fun, interactive web resources.
Created by: Jane Zeek
Mission Viejo High School By:
Resources Needed:
A computer with Internet access
Lab notebook
Access to a printer
Your Task:
There are 6 interactive activities listed below. Click the links below to explore the Electromagnetic Spectrum.
Activity 1: Visible Light
Part A
Observe teacher demonstration of white light passing through a prism on overhead projection.
Observe light through diffraction grating sunglasses.
Then click on link below.
Go to Virtual Prism
Click on hand, move back and forth, hold down button for white light.
(Note that a prism separates light into various wavelengths)
Part B
Go to: BrainPop and click on Electromagnetic Movie
Listen to movie, then take quiz.(remember you may be tested on this information at a later date)
Click on "Experiment with Bob the E-Labrat" (on the BrainPop site)
Materials needed for Experiment
1. sunny day
2. sheet of white paper
3. a pan of water
4. a mirror
Activity 2: What ARE Electromagnetic Waves?
Go to this interactive site for background knowledge on electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic Waves?
For an interactive Demonstration of an X-Ray machine
X-Rays
Activity 3: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Objective:
List component parts of the electromagnetic spectrum
What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
Go to Java Applet
In this applet, you can click on the wavelength/frequency scale and change the wavelength and frequency by dragging the mouse around. You can also change the wavelength by using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Holding the shift key down while pressing the left or right arrow keys changes the wavelength by a factor of 10.
© W. Bauer, 1999
Activity 4: Tour the EM Spectrum
Go to: Take a Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Navigate to bottom of page to take a tour of the EM Spectrum
Activity: 5
Objective:
Students will discover and verify the relationship between Wavelength and Frequency of the Electromagnetic Spectrum.
Activity 6: Spectroscopy
Objective:
How to scientists use spectroscopy to study stars and planets?
Part A:
To pick an element and see its spectral fingerprint
Go to: Spectral Lines
Part B:
To observe visible spectra of known elements and identify an unknown element or combination of elements by visible spectra.
Go to: Supernova Chemistry
Materials Needed
10 spectroscopes (Science Kit 45492 or 16525)
5 spectrum tubes (Science Kit 62999-01 -62999-55) (one of these should be mercury)
1 incandescent light bulb
1 "plant grow" light bulb
1 Compact Fluorescent light fixture
4 Chemical Light Sticks (each lasts four hours)
1 Standard Fluorescent light tube
5 Spectrum tube power supplies (Science Kit 62999 26)
10 Packages of colored pencils
Assessment:
Quia Activities: Ordered list - Ordering the Spectrum
Click here to take Online Quiz at Funbrain
Click here to create word-search or crisscross puzzle at Puzzlemaker
A Few Internet Resources:
Sheppard's Science Resources
Sheppard's Useful Links
Email: zeekj@svusd.k12.ca.us
Created August 15, 2001
Last Revised August 16, 2001
Teacher Notes
Suggested Grade Level: 9-12
Science Content Standards:
Science-Grade 9 - 12 : Physical Sciences, Earth Science
4e - Radio waves, light and X-rays are different wavelength bands in the spectrum of electromagnetic waves whose speed in vacuum is approximately 3x108 m/s (186,000 miles/second).
4f - How to identify the characteristic properties of waves: interference (beats), diffraction, refraction, Doppler effect, and polarization.
S.C.O.R.E. Lessons Standards Search by Grade and Subject
S.C.O.R.E. Standards and Framework
California Content Standards Grades K-12
California Content Standards Grades K-12 - Science - PDF Format
Background:
Teachers should have:
General background knowledge using the Internet.
General background knowledge in Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Demonstrations using slinkys to show waves.
Objectives:
to introduce general properties of all electromagnetic waves,
to identify the position of each type of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum according to its wavelength and frequency,
to discuss methods used to detect and analyze different waves,
to analyze the relation between the specific properties of waves, and their position in the electromagnetic spectrum,
Skills:
Observing
Data collection
graphing
interpretation
Effective use of Internet resources
Presentation skills - PowerPoint,
Assessment:
On-line quizzes
Student generated word search and criss-cross puzzles
Students can create Powerpoint presentations
Students can create On-line Portfolios
Enrichment:
Presentations -PowerPoint or Hyperstudio,
student created web page.