Glass Breaking with Sound

In this video adapted from the Encyclopedia of Physics Demonstrations, learn how a glass beaker vibrates at a specific frequency and how resonance can force it to shatter.

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Imaging with Radar

This interactive activity from NOVA features synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which uses radio waves to create high-quality images. Examine SAR images of Washington, D.C., and learn about this technology's unique advantages.

Light Wave Behaviors

Discover the ways light interacts with objects in this interactive activity adapted from NASA.

Masses and Springs

In this interactive simulation adapted from the University of Colorado's Physics Education Technology project, hang various masses from different springs and see the kinetic, potential, and thermal energy of each spring system. You can even slow time or move your demonstration to another planet.

Radio Waves & Electromagnetic Fields

In this interactive simulation adapted from the University of Colorado's Physics Education Technology project, explore how a radio transmitter broadcasts electromagnetic radiation.

Sound

This interactive simulation, adapted from the University of Colorado's Physics Education Technology project, illustrates sound waves. Adjust the frequency and amplitude to see and hear how the waves change.

Sound Waves Underwater: True or False

This interactive quiz from the NOVA Web site features an array of interesting facts about the nature of sound underwater.

Spectrometry Explained

Find out how light can be used to identify chemical compounds in this interactive activity adapted from NASA.

Vibration Patterns on a Chladni Plate

In this interactive activity adapted from the University of Southern California, investigate how sound vibrations cause patterns to form in sand on a metal plate.

Viewing Gamma Rays

Learn how high-energy gamma rays interact with electrons and discover how astronomers create images from high-energy gamma rays, in this interactive activity adapted from NASA.

Viewing Radio Waves

Discover how astronomers create images from radio waves, in this interactive activity adapted from NASA.

What Is a Laser?

Learn how lasers are different from natural light in this interactive activity adapted from NASA.

What Is a Wave?

This interactive activity adapted from Dr. Dan Russell, Kettering University, and the University of Utah's ASPIRE Lab provides an overview of the characteristics and properties of various types of waves, including light waves, sound waves, and water waves.