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Diffraction Unit

Sherry Franklin, Heather Shaffery, Lindsey Link, Ann Williams | Published: November 11th, 2022 by K20 Center

Summary

This collection is a series of five lessons about diffraction of light and sound. In Lesson 1, students will learn that light is formed by waves and can change direction through diffraction. They will use pencils to build a spectroscope and make observations as to the color and size of light. Students will then research wave diffraction and use what they learned to build and test a spectroscope. In Lesson 2, students will watch a video of fireworks and write down what they notice and wonder. Then, students will participate in a flame test lab and will draw Bohr models for the element hydrogen, labeled with arrows to show the release and absorption of energy. Finally, students will research the science behind fireworks and how it relates to an electron’s energy. In Lesson 3, students will explore the Doppler effect. They will practice by using a Doppler ball and the Doppler equation. Students will also learn how the Doppler effect is useful in our everyday lives with sirens and weather prediction. In lesson 4, students will learn that electrons in atoms and molecules absorb visible light. Students will perform two investigations into how various media absorb and transmit light and complete two guided inquiry model group activities. In the final lesson, lesson 5, students will apply the Doppler Effect to electromagnetic waves, and examine redshift as evidence of the expanding universe.

Resources

Lesson 5E Lesson
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Diffraction Unit, Lesson 1: Bending Light

What Is Diffraction?

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - Secondary

Students will learn that light is formed by waves and can change direction through diffraction. They will use pencils to build a spectroscope and make observations as to the color and size of light. Students will research wave diffraction and use what they learned to build and test a spectroscope. Read more »

Created by: Sherry Franklin

Date Updated: August 2nd, 2022

Lesson 5E Lesson
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 1: Bending Light

What Is Diffraction?

Tag Sponsor

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - Secondary

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Chemistry, Physics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-PS4-3, CH.PS4.3 , PH.PS4.3
More
Time Frame
Lesson 5E Lesson
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Diffraction Unit, Lesson 2: Funky Flames

Using Flame Tests to Explore Electrons' Energy Levels

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will watch a video of fireworks and write down what they notice and wonder. Students will participate in a flame test lab. They then will draw Bohr models for the element hydrogen, labeled with arrows to show the release and absorption of energy. Finally, students will research... Read more »

Created by: Sherry Franklin

Date Updated: March 5th, 2023

Lesson 5E Lesson
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 2: Funky Flames

Using Flame Tests to Explore Electrons' Energy Levels

Tag Sponsor

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Chemistry, Physics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-PS1, HS-PS1-1, CH.PS1.1 , CH.PS1.1.1, CH.PS1.1.2
More 2-3 periods
Time Frame 90-135 minutes
Lesson 5E Lesson
Cover Image
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 3: Wonky Waves

The Doppler Effect

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will explore the Doppler effect. They will practice by using a Doppler ball and the Doppler equation. Students will also learn how the Doppler effect is useful in our everyday lives with sirens and weather prediction. Read more »

Created by: Sherry Franklin

Date Updated: July 24th, 2023

Lesson 5E Lesson
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 3: Wonky Waves

The Doppler Effect

Tag Sponsor

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Chemistry, Physics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • PH.PS4.1
More 2-3 periods
Time Frame 90-120 minutes
Lesson 5E Lesson
Cover Image
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 4; Missing Colors

Absorption Spectra

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this unit, students will learn that electrons in atoms and molecules absorb visible light. When light passes through various media and then through a diffraction gradient, it produces absorbance spectra. The produced absorption spectra are unique to the elements that interact with the light. These... Read more »

Created by: Chris Yohn

Date Updated: August 10th, 2023

Lesson 5E Lesson
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 4; Missing Colors

Absorption Spectra

Tag Sponsor

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Physics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • PS.PS2, PS.PS1.1.1, PS.PS1.1.2, PS.PS4.1 , PS.PS4.1.1, CH.PS4.3
More 2-3 days
Time Frame
Lesson 5E Lesson
Cover Image
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 5: The Red Universe

Redshift and the Expanding Universe

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 12th

This is the fifth and final lesson in the Diffraction Unit. In this lesson, students will apply the Doppler Effect to electromagnetic waves, and examine redshift as evidence of the expanding universe. Read more »

Created by: Chris Yohn

Date Updated: September 1st, 2023

Lesson 5E Lesson
Diffraction Unit, Lesson 5: The Red Universe

Redshift and the Expanding Universe

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Physics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-ESS1-2, CH.PS4.3 , PH.PS4.1 , PH.PS4.5
More
Time Frame

Standards

Next Generation Science Standards (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)
HS-PS1: Matter and Its Interactions
HS-PS1-1: Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
HS-PS4-3: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind the idea that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave model or a particle model, and that for some situations one model is more useful than the other.
HS-ESS1-2: Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
Oklahoma Academic Standards (Chemistry)
CH.PS1.1 : Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
CH.PS1.1.1: Each atom has a charged substructure consisting of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
CH.PS1.1.2: The periodic table orders elements horizontally by the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus and places those with similar chemical properties in columns. The repeating patterns of this table reflect patterns of outer electron states.
CH.PS4.3 : Develop an argument for how scientific evidence supports the explanation that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by the wave model or the particle model, and in some situations one model is more useful than the other.
Oklahoma Academic Standards (Physical Science)
PS.PS2: Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
PS.PS1.1.1: Each atom has a charged substructure consisting of a nucleus, which is made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
PS.PS1.1.2: The periodic table orders elements horizontally by the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus and places those with similar chemical properties in columns. The repeating patterns of this table reflect patterns of outer electron states.
PS.PS4.1 : Use mathematical representations to explain both qualitative and quantitative relationships among frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.
PS.PS4.1.1: The wavelength and frequency of a wave are related to one another by the speed of travel of the wave, which depends on the type of wave and the medium through which it is passing.
Oklahoma Academic Standards (Physics)
PH.PS4.1 : Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.
PH.PS4.3 : Develop an argument for how scientific evidence supports the explanation that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by the wave model or the particle model, and in some situations one model is more useful than the other.
PH.PS4.4.DCI.1: When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat).
PH.PS4.5 : Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.*

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