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Diffraction of Radio Waves

During this lesson, students will learn about the wave and particle nature of electromagnetic waves. Students will also learn about the diffraction of light and conduct an experiment to determine the thickness of a piece of hair. Students will also observe the diffraction pattern of burning gas when viewed with a diffraction grating, thus understanding how astrophysicists know the compositions of stars. Students will also learn about how diffraction of electromagnetic waves affects telescope resolution and what can be done to mitigate the effects as well as learn about how radio signals diffract when hitting the edge of an obstacle, dispersing the signal and causing weakened signals.

NGSS Standards

HS-PS4-5  Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy

Materials 

diffraction grating

spectroscope

spectrum tubes

tape

laser

mounting slides

meter stick


radio telescope

Key Words

Radio Astronomy

Diffraction

AP Physics

 

Downloadable Materials

Teacher 

English

Spanish

Student 

English

Spanish

                              

 

Acknowledgments

The banner is courtesy of macrovector on FreePik

The photo is courtesy of Bettymaya Foott, NRAO/AUI/NSF

new spectrum train