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NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
published by the Public Broadcasting Service and the WGBH Educational Foundation
This NOVA website is a self-paced tutorial for beginners on the electromagnetic spectrum.  All seven sections of the spectrum are covered, from radio waves through gamma rays.  Each segment contains specific examples, photos, and naturally occurring sources from the universe.  Users can get background information by rolling the cursor over the examples.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectru...
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Astronomy
- Fundamentals
= Spectra
Electricity & Magnetism
- Electromagnetic Radiation
= Electromagnetic Spectrum
Optics
- General
- Middle School
- High School
- Informal Education
- Instructional Material
= Activity
= Tutorial
- Audio/Visual
= Image/Image Set
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- Educators
- application/flash
- image/jpeg
- text/html
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Mirror:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/phy…
Access Rights:
Free access and
Available for purchase
Web site and online viewing available free of charge. Video available for purchase.
Restriction:
© 2001 WGBH Educational Foundation
Keywords:
gamma rays, infrared, interactive tutorial, light, microwave, radio waves, spectrum, tutorial, ultraviolet, visible light, x-rays
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created June 19, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:
August 11, 2020 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
February 1, 2008
Other Collections:

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion
  • 6-8: 4F/M5. Human eyes respond to only a narrow range of wavelengths of electromagnetic waves-visible light. Differences of wavelength within that range are perceived as differences of color.

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (1993 Version)

4. THE PHYSICAL SETTING

F. Motion
  • 4F (9-12) #3.  Accelerating electric charges produce electromagnetic waves around them. A great variety of radiations are electromagnetic waves: radio waves, microwaves, radiant heat, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x rays, and gamma rays. These wavelengths vary from radio waves, the longest, to gamma rays, the shortest. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed?the "speed of light."
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
(Public Broadcasting Service, Arlington, 2001), WWW Document, (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf).
AJP/PRST-PER
NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (Public Broadcasting Service, Arlington, 2001), <https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf>.
APA Format
NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. (2008, February 1). Retrieved May 1, 2025, from Public Broadcasting Service: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf
Chicago Format
Public Broadcasting Service. NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Arlington: Public Broadcasting Service, February 1, 2008. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf (accessed 1 May 2025).
MLA Format
NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Arlington: Public Broadcasting Service, 2001. 1 Feb. 2008. 1 May 2025 <https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Title = {NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum}, Publisher = {Public Broadcasting Service}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {February 1, 2008}, Year = {2001} }
Refer Export Format

%T NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum %D February 1, 2008 %I Public Broadcasting Service %C Arlington %U https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf %O application/flash

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D February 1, 2008 %T NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum %I Public Broadcasting Service %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 February 1, 2008 %9 application/flash %U https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf


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Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

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