PhET: Exploring Interactions of Matter with Light

“LIGHT” IN THE SIMULATION

Rank Microwave, Infrared, Visible and Ultraviolet in terms of energy, wavelength, & frequency.
Energy Wavelength Frequency

Highest (microwave ) ultraviolet) (infrared)

2nd Highest (infrared) (microwave) (microwave)

2nd Lowest ultraviolet) (visible) (visible)

Lowest visible) (ultraviolet) (ultraviolet )

INTERACTION OF LIGHT AND MATTER

Open the simulation found here: PhET: Molecules and Light. Examine how different photons in
the simulation affect each molecule. Record your observations for each combination in a few
descriptive words.
Microwave Infrared Visible Light Ultraviolet

CO (absorbs and (they move in (nothing) (does nothing)

(Carbon Monoxide)
then release ) and then
release)

N2 (does nothing) (does nothing) (does nothing) (does nothing)

(Nitrogen)

O2 (goes through) (goes through) )goes through (goes through)

(Oxygen)

CO2 (goes through) (absorbed and (goes through) (goes through)

(Carbon Dioxide)
then shake )

H2O (absorbed and (goes through) ()goes through (goes through)

(Water Vapor)
then release )

NO2 (spin then (shakes and (absorbs and (Breaks

(Nitrogen Dioxide)
release ) then release) then release molecules )
then break
molecules )

O3 (spin and then (shakes and (goes through) (breaks

(Ozone)
release) then release) molecule)

Questions:
Which molecule(s) were not affected by any of (oxygen and nitrogen)
the radiation in the sim?

Why might this be important? (Think about what (we probably wouldn't survive if we got
is commonly found in our air and atmosphere) microwave,ultraviolent, etc in our airs )
Summarize the effects of each kind of radiation on the molecules in the sim.
Microwave Infrared Visible Light Ultraviolet

Effect(s) on (heats up ) (tries to stay in (not much ) (doesn’t do

Molecules but release ) much )