Climate Change Toolkit: Infrared Energy
Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution|Published on: June 7, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Worksheets
Subjects: Physics, Engineering
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this brief experiment, students will learn about infrared energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, and test different materials for their capacity to transmit or block infrared energy.
- Students can begin to develop an understanding of material choices in engineering and design projects and connect it to the electromagnetic spectrum, heat energy, and insulation.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This worksheet provides common examples of different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and photos to support understanding.
- This experiment could easily be expanded to include many other classroom materials.
Additional Prerequisites
- Although the worksheet introduces the electromagnetic spectrum, it may help students to introduce this concept beforehand.
- Materials needed for the activity include an infrared camera, picture frames, and sheets of black and clear plastic.
Differentiation
- This is a great resource to use as part of a physics unit about electromagnetic radiation or a biology lesson about photosynthesis, vision, metabolism, the greenhouse effect, or energy transfers between trophic levels.
- Try connecting this activity with a discussion about how this concept is connected to global warming using the following guiding questions: which materials on Earth reflect or absorb infrared energy and what is the resulting impact on our climate?
- Additional resources on this topic include this video about the greenhouse effect and infrared cameras, this interactive simulation of infrared radiation in greenhouse gases, and this lab about the albedo effect.
This resource requires the use of an infrared camera or imager, and presents concepts of energy, wavelengths, and radiation. After describing these concepts, examples are presented including ear thermometers and microwaves. Additionally, this resource describes experiments that can be done with an infrared thermometer that parallel what is presented in the Resource PRI-4 video. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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