Molecules and Light
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Original Sim and Translations |
Topics
- Molecules
- Photons
- Absorption
- Light
Description
Turn light source on to explore. Observe what happens in the observation window as you set up different combinations of light source and molecule. Note this simulation is the first to support our zoom and magnification feature, so zoom in for a closer look, if you need to.
Sample Learning Goals
- 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
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Video Primer
Sound Features
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Molecules and Light - Guided Inquiry Activity |
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Alycia M. Palmer | UG-Intro | Guided | Chemistry | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein updated by Diana López | MS HS |
Other | Chemistry Earth Science Physics Biology |
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How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Biology Physics Earth Science Chemistry |
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PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum |
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Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | Chemistry | |
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Chemistry Physics Biology |
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Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
PhET Greenhouse Effect Simulations | Jack Ganse | MS HS |
Discuss Guided |
Earth Science | ||
Preguntas de razonamiento para todas las simulaciones HTML5 |
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Diana López | HS UG-Adv MS Grad K-5 UG-Intro |
Discuss HW |
Astronomy Physics Mathematics Chemistry |
Browse legacy activities.
HTML5 sims can run on iPads and Chromebooks, as well as PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
iPad:
iOS 12+ Safari
iPad compatible sims
Android:
Not officially supported. If you are using the HTML5 sims on Android, we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome.
Chromebook:
Latest version of Google Chrome
The HTML5 and Flash PhET sims are supported on all Chromebooks.
Chromebook compatible sims
Windows Systems:
Microsoft Edge, latest version of Firefox, latest version of Google Chrome.
Macintosh Systems:
macOS 10.13+, Safari 13+, latest version of Chrome.
Linux Systems:
Not officially supported. Please contact phethelp@colorado.edu with troubleshooting issues.
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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