The Electromagnetic Spectrum project for FLVS

1. 1. Explain how Doppler radar works. Describe the properties of electromagnetic waves and
interactions that make Doppler radar possible.
Doppler Radar is a radar system that tracks the velocity and the position of weather
including storms, precipitation, and clouds.
2. Explain how polarized sunglasses work. Describe the properties of electromagnetic
waves and interactions that this technology targets.
Light that is reflected from services is usually horizontally polarized. Rather than light
being scattered all over the place the light is reflected horizontally creating the glare we
see. Polarized lenses have filters that reduces the glare by blocking the light.
3. Explain why we see a rainbow or colorful sunset. Explain the properties and interactions
that make this display possible.
When the sun is out and it’s raining the sunlight enters the raindrops. When the light does
this it is refracted, and then changes direction. The light is reflected off of the back of the
raindrop then to the front. The water droplet serves as a prism and scatters the light in the
visible spectrum allowing us to see the rainbow.
4. Discuss the dual nature of electromagnetic waves and how they travel in a vacuum and
through a medium.
Electromagnetic waves can travel through both a vacuum and a medium. These waves are
made up of magnetic and electrical fields. These waves are created when an electric
charge starts to vibrate.
5. You must include citations for all reliable sources used. Include citations from three or
more reliable sources.
Morgan, Erinn. "Which Type of Polarized Sunglasses Are Right For You?" All About
Vision. Access Media Group LLC, 01 May 2014. Web. 14 July 2015.
"Anatomy of an Electromagnetic Wave." Mission:Science. National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012.
<http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems/02_anatomy.html>.
Henderson, Tom. "Propagation of an Electromagnetic Waves." Propagation of an
Electromagnetic Waves. The Physics Classroom, 1996. Web. 14 July 2015.