Wavelengths of Light
Wavelengths of Light
Objectives
In this unit, students will investigate the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will:
- understand that the colors of the visible spectrum have different wavelengths.
- investigate differences in wavelengths.
- demonstrate how colors are mixed.
Essential Questions
Vocabulary
- Crest: The top of a wave.
- Wavelength: The distance between successive crests of a wave. The wavelength of a light wave determines its color.
- ROY G BIV: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
- Prism: A medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it; two nonparallel plane faces used to refract or disperse a beam of light.
- Trough: A long, narrow, generally shallow receptacle for holding water or feed for animals.
- Peak: The highest value attained by a varying quantity.
Duration
60 minutes/1–2 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.
Materials
- white poster board
- white cardboard
- pencil
- white paper
- flashlight
- plastic cellophane sheet in blue, red, and green
- colored pencils or markers
- manila folder
- adding machine tape roll
- metric ruler
- meter stick
- science journal
- beaded chain
- masking tape
- scissors
- 4 books
- stopwatch or watch with second hand
- science journal, one for each student
- copies of the Wavelength Lab (S-5-2-2_Wavelength Lab.doc)
- technology sources:
- Exploring Light and Color Video (running time 4 min. 25 sec.)
- http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/9943-exploring-light-and-color-the-nature-of-light-video.htm Brainpop-Energy/Color video clip and activity page
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- Light and Sound by Peter Lafferty. Benchmark Books, 1996.
- Experiments with Light and Sound by Trevor Cook. Power Kids Press, 2009.
- Experimenting with Light and Illusions by Alan Ward. Chelsea Juniors, 1991.
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum (running time 2 min. 15 sec.) for homework: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfS5Qn0wn2o
- https://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/color/
- Exploring Light and Color Video (running time 4 min. 25 sec.)
Formative Assessment
Suggested Instructional Supports
Instructional Procedures
Related Instructional Videos
Note: Video playback may not work on all devices.
Instructional videos haven't been assigned to the lesson plan.
DRAFT 11/17/2010