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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.
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
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physical Science
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Activity
- New teachers
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Intended Users:
Learner
Educator
Formats:
application/flash
image/jpeg
text/html
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

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."

This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.


Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: Electromagnetic Radiation and the Spectrum

A great resource to introduce beginners to the idea of light as part of a much larger spectrum of electromagnetic radiation.  Students work at their own pace to learn about all 7 sections of the Spectrum, from long-wavelength radio waves through the mysterious short-wavelength gamma rays.  They will see for themselves that visible light is only a small part of the whole.

Link to Unit:
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 April 25, 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 25 April 2025).
MLA Format
NOVA Online: A Self-Guided Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Arlington: Public Broadcasting Service, 2001. 1 Feb. 2008. 25 Apr. 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 = {25 April 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 25 April 2025 %8 February 1, 2008 %9 application/flash %U https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/electromagnetic-spectrum/electromagnetic-spectrum.swf


Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

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.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

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