This webquest has been designed to give you a better understanding of the elements that make up
the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Complete the activities below in the space provided and have fun!
Go to http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/chandra_magic.shtml or if this fails to load go to
www.google.com and type in “land of the magic windows”. You know you have the right website
when it looks like this:
Scroll down and click on ‘gateway to the land of the magic windows’.
From here select the dome from the left hand side of the screen called “Radio”.
1. How long are radio waves? ________________________________________
At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘next’ button. You should come to the
information page about microwaves.
2. What size are microwaves? __________________________________________________
At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘next’ button.
3. How long are infrared waves? _________________________________________________
4. Complete this sentence:
We normally experience infrared radiation as ___________________.
At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘next’ button.
5. What size are visible light waves? _____________________________________________
6. In the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum are the separate smaller ranges that
our eyes see as what? _______________________________________________________
7. Explain how a prism works to allow us to see all the colours of the rainbow _______________
________________________________________________________________________
8. In the visible range of light, which colour has the longest wavelength? ___________________
9. Which colour has the shortest wavelength? ______________________________________
At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘next’ button.
10. How big are ultra violet waves? _______________________________________________
11. An ultraviolet telescope enables us to see what features of our sun? ____________________
At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘next’ button.
12. How big is a single x-ray? ___________________________________________________
At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘next’ button. Complete this sentence:
13. Gamma rays are the most _______________ form of _______________ we have detected.
14. Where do Gamma rays come from? ____________________________________________
Now go to the website http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ and select “Cosmic Classroom” from the
menu.
From here select “Infrared light lessons”
Then select “our World in a Different Light” from the menu. You know you
are on the right screen when it looks like this:
Click on the introduction to answer the following questions.
15. Infrared (IR) light is primarily what type of radiation? ______________________________
16. In a false colour image, what colour regions are the hottest? _________________________
17. What colour do the coldest regions appear? ______________________________________
18. What temperature must an object have to be radiating in the infrared spectrum? __________
19. Does an ice cube emit infrared light? ___________________________________________
Complete this sentence:
20. Most of what we see with our eyes is the result of _______________ (or reflected)
radiation, provided by the _____________ or by _________________.
21. If your eyes were capable of seeing infrared radiation, would you be able to see the person
sitting net to you in a completely dark room? ______________________________________
22. Explain why this is so. _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
23. How is infrared light used in computers? ________________________________________
24. How do cashiers (at Coles or Woolworths) use infrared light? _________________________
From the menu list at the bottom of the page (in yellow), select “Food industry”
25. From the image, where are the hottest parts of the burritos? ________________________
26. What is one major benefit of being able to use this technology in the food industry? _______
________________________________________________________________________
From the menu list at the bottom of the page (in yellow), select “Fire Fighting”
27. What three vehicles can infrared cameras be attached to? __________________________
28. How can infrared technology be used to prevent fires? _____________________________
From the menu list at the bottom of the page (in yellow), select “Animal studies”
29. How do veterinarians use infrared technology? ____________________________________
30. What are some of the benefits of using infrared technology when studying individual animals
(and populations)? ___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The last website for today’s webquest is: http://www.darvill.clara.net/emag/index.htm
If this fails to load, go to google.com and type in “darville electromagnetic spectrum”. Select the
first option from the list that has been generated for you. The home page should look like this:
From the home page select “Radio Waves” from the menu at the top.
31. What three objects can give off radio waves? ____________________________________
32. What does VHF stand for? __________________________________________________
33. What is UHF? ___________________________________________________________
34. What medical condition can exposure to large doses of radio waves cause? _______________
Scroll back to the top of the screen and select “Microwaves” from the menu.
Complete this sentence:
35. Microwaves cause __________ and ___________ molecules to ______________, which
makes the substances hot.
36. Explain how speed cameras and radars use microwaves. _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
37. What is prolonged exposure to microwaves is known to cause? _______________________
Scroll back to the top of the screen and select “Light” from the menu.
38. When using a glass prism, why is violet light refracted more than red? __________________
39. How are lasers used in CD and DVD players? _____________________________________
Scroll back to the top of the screen and select “Ultra Violet” from the menu.
40. How do UV insect lights work? _______________________________________________
41. Why do your clothes ‘glow’ when you stand under a UV light? ________________________
________________________________________________________________________
42. How do hospitals use UV light? _______________________________________________
43. What can large doses of UV do to humans? ______________________________________
Scroll back to the top of the screen and select “X-rays” from the menu.
44. Other than x-ray machines, what object also gives off x-rays? _______________________
45. Why do doctors sometimes give patients a “Barium Meal”? __________________________
46. Why do radiographers have to stand behind a shield when they x-ray patients? ____________
________________________________________________________________________
Scroll back to the top of the screen and select “Gamma Rays” from the menu.
47. What two materials can block gamma rays? _____________________________________
48. Gamma rays are used to kill what cells? _______________________________________
49. What is one benefit of using tracers? _________________________________________
50. What is ‘irradiated’ food? __________________________________________________
51. Why are babies especially vulnerable to gamma rays? ______________________________
Extension for early finishers
Go to the website http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/galex/photon/index.shtml and play Photon
Pile Up.
END OF WEBQUEST