Spectroscope Quick Lab
Background: As early as 1752, the first clues to understanding atomic structure appeared
when scientists began to study the emission and absorption of light from different
elements. Early in the twentieth century, Rutherford was able to provide some detailed
explanation of the observed spectra of some elements. From this study came the
introduction of spectroscopy and the development of spectral analysis. An instrument
used to detect and study the emission spectra of various substances is called a
spectroscope. A spectroscope is a simple instrument which contains a prism or
diffraction grating. The prism separates the light emitted from a substance into specific
energies. The apparatus used in this lab is a simple spectroscope. When an atom or
molecule gains or loses energy, this 1energy is transferred to and from atoms or
molecules in definite discrete units of radiant energy called photons. The energies of
electrons in atoms or molecules are restricted to definite quantities, called energy levels.
These energy levels are fixed for a given atom and to change the energy state, a photon
must be emitted or absorbed. In other words, an electron must move from one energy
level to another. The lines in the spectra represent amounts of energy emitted when
excited electrons move from one energy level to another.
Purpose: In this lab we will be looking at light given off by different chemicals through
the spectroscope. We will draw spectra in the provided spaces.
Data: While looking at a light source, you will draw the spectra you see through the
spectroscope Sources:
Spectroscope Usage:
Safety: The Spectrum Tube power supply has very high voltage, make sure to turn off
when switching elements. Do not touch the ends of the tubes when power supply is on.
Purpose: Using the vapor tubes below determine the line spectra for each of the
provided Elements
Procedure:
1. Plug in the Power supply and put the element spectrum tube between the
contacts.
2. Turn on the power supply and view the emission spectra of each by looking
through the spectroscope with the slit end away from you so that it is parallel to
the beam of light.
3. With your other hand rotate the eye-piece end of the spectroscope slowly until
you see a specific line spectra appear on the bottom.
4. Using the continuous line spectrum and the wavelength range chart below draw
the wavelength in the correct locations using colored pencils.
5. Turn off the power supply and record observations in the data sheet
6. Draw the Bohr Model for each element
7. Give the Color emitted in the spectroscope with the corresponding Wavelength.
8. When the spectrum tube is cool, remove it from the power supply and place it
back in the correctly labeled box
9. Repeat steps 2-8
10. Once you’ve observed and collected data for all of the elements, grab the unknown
element from Ms.O’Brien. Based on your observations, determine which element
the unknown is.
Materials:
● Lab Write Up ● Periodic Table
● Spectroscopes ● Data Sheet
● Colored Pencils/Markers ● Gaseous Elements
● Spectrum Tube Power Supply ● Writing Utensil
Spectrum #1 Gas: Helium
Color Wavelength (nm)
Spectrum #1 Gas: Krypton
Color Wavelength (nm)
Spectrum #1 Gas: Nitrogen
Color Wavelength (nm)
Spectrum #1 Gas: Argon
Color Wavelength (nm)
Spectrum #1 Gas: Hydrogen
Color Wavelength (nm)
Spectrum #1 Gas: Unknown
Color Wavelength (nm)
Results:
1. What was the unknown element and how did you know? (2-4 sentences)
2. Explain the difference between ground state and excited state
3. When electrons move to a higher energy level they must gain __________.
4. When electrons fall down an energy level they must lose _____________ and give
off _______________.
5. What is the emitted particle called that is responsible for each color observed?
6. Which subatomic particles surrounding the nucleus in an element are responsible
for the continuous spectrum?
7. What do the lines in the spectra represent?
8. Rate this lab on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the worst, 10 would be the best.
9. Give one thing you liked about this lab and one thing you didn’t like about this
lab.
10. What are some other labs/what would you like to see in other labs this year?