45 For Further Exploration: Radiation and Spectra
Articles
Augensen, H. & Woodbury, J. “The Electromagnetic Spectrum.” Astronomy (June 1982): 6.
Darling, D. “Spectral Visions: The Long Wavelengths.” Astronomy (August 1984): 16; “The Short Wavelengths.” Astronomy (September 1984): 14.
Gingerich, O. “Unlocking the Chemical Secrets of the Cosmos.” Sky & Telescope (July 1981): 13.
Stencil, R. et al. “Astronomical Spectroscopy.” Astronomy (June 1978): 6.
Websites
- Doppler Effect: A shaking bug and the Doppler Effect explained.
- Electromagnetic Spectrum: An introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum from NASA’s Imagine the Universe; note that you can click the “Advanced” button near the top and get a more detailed discussion.
- Rainbows: How They Form and How to See Them: By meteorologist and amateur astronomer Joe Rao.
Videos
Doppler Effect: ESA video with Doppler ball demonstration and Doppler effect and satellites (4:48)
How a Prism Works to Make Rainbow Colors: Short video on how a prism bends light to make a rainbow of colors (2:44)
Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum: NASA Mission Science video tour of the bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (eight short videos).
Introductions to Quantum Mechanics
Ford, Kenneth. The Quantum World. 2004. A well-written recent introduction by a physicist/educator.
Gribbin, John. In Search of Schroedinger’s Cat. 1984. Clear, very basic introduction to the fundamental ideas of quantum mechanics, by a British physicist and science writer.
Rae, Alastair. Quantum Physics: A Beginner’s Guide. 2005. Widely praised introduction by a British physicist.