A Catalyst article about a brilliant new light source under construction in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside - the Diamond Light Source. Diamond will be a source of synchrotron light. Many of the everyday commodities people take for granted, from chocolate to cosmetics, from revolutionary drugs to surgical...

This simulation can be used to explore how light interacts with molecules in our atmosphere.

Sample learning objectives include:

*Explore how light interacts with molecules in our atmosphere

*Identify that absorption of light depends on the molecule and the type of light

*Relate the...

• Describe the relationships between speed, frequency and wavelength for light waves.
• Describe the nature of light as a form of electromagnetic radiation....

This video demonstrates an investigation of reflection at a plane mirror.  This is a required practical for students to be able to understand and carry out for GCSE Combined Science and Physics.

A trio of videos that investigates the refraction of light through a transparent block.  This first video allows students to see the experiment and the other two review the results and plot a graph to investigate the relationship between the incident and refracted angles.  This is a required practical for students...

These resources from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) look at parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Key Stage Three resources look at how synchotron radiation is used to look at the structure of proteins and viruses. The Key Stage Four lesson focuses on infrared radiation and its uses,...

Work done in this Nuffield 13 to 16 module followed from the unit called ‘Senses’. This B unit provided enough material for six double periods in the third year of secondary school (year nine). The teachers’ guide included 11 worksheets to supplement the students’ booklet. The general introduction in the teachers’...

Act 1

A torch is pointed in the direction of the moon and...

A Catalyst article looking at which type of radiation is absorbed and emitted through spectroscopy. This is the study of the wavelengths of light which allows us to identify the substances present in the source. This investigation provides a lot of useful information about a compound. It is used in a very wide...

This resource, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, has a video that introduces 'light' as the electromagnetic spectrum and how an electromagnetic wave is made. It discusses the wavelength, speed and frequency of electromagnetic waves and how we can detect them. How light interacts with matter and the concept of...

This starter activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), introduces students to how animals use sounds and how sounds change in natural phenomena in order to better understand how sound waves travel.

'Our modern society has more ways of making sounds than ever before. How can we control sound to get good quality when we want it and cut out the sounds we don't want to hear?'

These practicals and videos use a workplace context to develop students' understanding of the properties of sound, and how science...

Four groups of practicals, produced by Institute of Physics (IOP), which help students to understand the properties of sound.

In addition to the guidance included for specific activities, please refer to the generic health and safety information before commencing any practical activity.

This resource...