Abstract:

Spectra

Introduction:
Scientist use spectroscopy everyday to identify the chemical makeup of stars in our solar system. We are going to use it to look at light in a tube.

Purpose:

The purpose of this lab is to get acquainted with the spectroscopy tools. Along with the spectroscopy process in general. I.e. Identifying elements, by noting the difference in the visible wavelengths present with the specific tools.

Procedure:

The continuous spectrum of an incandescent light bulb was studied with the aid of a spectrometer.

Six mystery elements were viewed inside of spectrum tubes.

Knowledge of spectroscopy, and the use of a spectrometer were used to identify the various elements in the tubes.

Photographs of the spectra were taken with a camera phone.

The photographs of the spectra were compared to images found online that represent various elements in order to identify those present in the tubes.

Results/Observations:

The incandescent bulb:

When I looked at the spectrum of this bulb initially i was surprised that it showed all of the colors, but after thinking about this, I remembered that the color white is made up of every color, so light that is meant to replicate it would be made up of every color as well.

Mystery Gas 1 - Krypton

Originally the gas in this tube appeared to be semi-purple with white undertones. Its spectrum had spikes at around 480 nm and again near the 650 nm region. When comparing that to image of the spectrum found online, I came to the conclusion that it was krypton.

Mystery Gas 2 - Neon

Originally the gas in this tube appeared orange with strong red tone. Its spectrum contained mostly red and yellow spikes, all in the 570 nm - 600 nm range. Its image resembled the spectrum of neon the most.

Mystery Gas 3 - Mercury

Originally the gas in this tube appeared to be white with a strong blue undertone. Although this element had a nearly continuous spectrum, the most prominent spikes occurred around 520 nm, 550 nm, and 590 nm. Its image resembled the spectrum of Mercury the most.

Mystery Gas 4 - Helium

Originally the gas in this tube appeared to be a pink color with slight orange undertones. Its most prominent peaks occurred at 450 nm, 465 nm, 495 nm, 500 nm, 590 nm, and 675 nm. Its spectrum resembled that of helium the most.

Mystery Gas 5 - Sodium

Originally the gas in this tube appeared to be orange in color, with no variational undertones. Its most prominent peaks occurred at 500 nm, 560 nm, and 590 nm. Its spectrum resembled that of sodium the most.

Mystery Gas 6 - Hydrogen

Originally the gas in this tube appeared blue, with a strong white presence. Its most prominent peaks occurred at 400 nm, 450 nm, 490 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, and 590 nm. Its spectrum resembled that of hydrogen the most.