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The Electromagnetic Spectrum Unit Activities

"The Electromagnetic Spectrum" shows the shortest, most energetic wavelengths at the left and the longest, least energetic to the right, illustrated as a long, partially colored strip that ends in arrows. From left to right, the types of light are paired with their measurements: gamma ray (0.000001 to 0.01 nanometers), X-ray (0.01 to 10 nanometers), ultraviolet (10 to 380 nanometers), visible light (380 to 780 nanometers), infrared (780 nanometers to 0.3 millimeters), microwave (0.3 millimeters to 10 centimeters), radio (10 centimeters to 10 meters). On the graphic, visible light is represented by a rainbow of colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. The background is largely purple.
Gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light (the visible rainbow), infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves are all forms of light (also called electromagnetic radiation). Together, they make up the electromagnetic spectrum. Each band of light has a different range of wavelengths: Gamma rays are the shortest and radio waves are the longest.
NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI)
Levels
  • Intermediate (6-8)
Material Type
  • Lesson Plan
  • Activity/Hands-on
  • Unit (of Study)
Heliophysics Topics
  • Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • Energy
  • Light
  • Sun
Related Missions
  • James Webb Space Telescope (Astro)
Material Cost per Learner Free
Language English

In these activities, students build simple spectroscopes to study visible light through multiple hands-on lesson plans and construction projects. The collection includes six different lessons: Simple Spectroscope, Project Visible Spectra, Cereal Box Spectroscope, Red Shift Blue Shift, Wavelength and Energy, and Resonating Atmosphere. Students learn about light analysis and spectroscopy principles while creating functional scientific instruments using everyday materials. These activities demonstrate how scientists use spectroscopes to analyze light and understand the composition of distant objects.

Find the activities here ↗