Molecules and Light

This activity will help to investigate how a greenhouse gas affects the climate, or why the ozone layer is important. Using this simulation, explore how light interacts with molecules in our atmosphere.

Areas to 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 energy of the light to the resulting motion.
Identify that energy increases from microwave to ultraviolet.
Predict the motion of a molecule based on the type of light it absorbs.
Identify how the structure of a molecule affects how it interacts with light.

Resource ID#: 51197 Type: Virtual Manipulative

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Open Resource Page

Direct Link: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light

General Information

Subject(s): Science

Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Intended Audience: Educators , Students , Parents

Suggested Technology: Java Plugin

Keywords: Molecules, Light, Photons, Absorption.

Instructional Component Type(s): Virtual Manipulative

Resource Collection: Games and Simulations

Aligned Standards

This vetted resource aligns to concepts or skills in these benchmarks.

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