Key Stage Four: Infrared

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This lesson, from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), looks in particular at how infrared data is collected and used to measure changes in global temperature. Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum of light which has uses in astronomy, communications, surveillance and medicine.

What can we 'see' with infrared waves? Students look at how William Herschel discovered infrared radiation, its uses, how infrared data is translated into an image we can see, and how infrared is used to measure changes in sea surface temperature. An extension activity suggests investigating how sea temperature affects phytoplankton growth. This lesson links well with the lesson on climate change.

STFC is a part of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) partnership of research councils.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx5az

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