Wave Action by Matt
Nicholas, Exeter-Milligan Science Instructor
In astronomy this week, we are
investigating all regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The introduction to
this chapter has us looking at the structure of a wave. To demonstrate waves we
use a large spring (pictured). The students take turns demonstrating the
different characteristics of waves: Amplitude, Wavelength, and Frequency. This
activity helps the students see the inverse relationship between wavelength and
frequency. We will go on to discuss the invisible regions of light, such as
radio waves, micro waves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma rays. The
study of different forms of light is key to astronomy, because we can only
study stars and planets from a distance. We will soon be talking about doppler
shifts and how studying light from stars can help us find planets around other
stars that may also harbor life!!
Photo: Broc Mueller (kneeling) and
Derek Luzum (back to camera) create a wave using a long spring while Marissa
Howard and Brody Kresak look on trying to classify the wave's properties.
No comments:
Post a Comment