NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

Lab Partner ________________________________ Student ID # _______

CHEM 142 Experiment #1: Atomic Emission

Goals of this lab:

• Utilize a variety of instruments to take measurements of the atomic emission of hydrogen gas.
• Analyze the results from different measurement devices.
• Calculate the percent error of your measured values from known literature values
• Evaluate the different measurements and results and compare the advantages and
disadvantages of each approach.
• Using experimentally determined values, predict future possible observations. Test the
accuracy of these predictions and compare predicted values to observed results.
• Apply the concepts of atomic emission to the task of identifying unknown compounds.
• Appraise the accuracy of flame tests versus other identification methods. Recommend possible
alternative methods for identifying unknowns. Defend this recommendation.

Your lab report will be graded on the following criteria using a poor/good/excellent rating system (see
the Self-Assessment on the “Reporting Your Results for Exp #1” page of the lab website for more
details):
• All calculations are clear and accurate, with proper use of significant figures, units, etc.
• Observations made in lab are careful and accurate. Unexpected or unusual results are repeated
to ensure accuracy.
• Evaluations of measurement approaches are clear, well-structured, and supported with clear
and reasonable arguments.
• Predictions and unknown identifications in the lab are reasonable given data gathered.
• The lab report is completed neatly with calculations shown in detail.

**Note: In-lab reports should be handwritten during the lab session on the hardcopy printout of the
report template you are required bring with you to lab. Do not type or rewrite answers after the lab
session into electronic versions of the report.

By signing below, you certify that you have not falsified data, that you have not plagiarized any part
of this lab report, and that all calculations and responses other than the reporting of raw data are
your own independent work. Failure to sign this declaration will result in 5 points being deducted
from your lab score.

Signature: ________________________________________

This lab is worth 60 points: 10 points for notebook pages, 50 points for the lab report
(Do NOT include your notebook pages when you scan your report for upload into Gradescope.)

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

Part I.A.: Qualitative Observations and Spectroscope Measurements

1. Neatly transfer the data from your notebook to Table 1-1 for the three spectral lines of
longest wavelength. Look carefully to see as many spectral lines as possible and record the
wavelength, color, and qualitative intensity (dim, bright, very bright, etc.) of each line. You will
complete the fourth column after Question 4.

Table 1-1. Hydrogen lamp emission lines from a spectroscope.

Color of hydrogen lamp Intensity (how Calculated RH value
Wavelength (nm)
emission bright?)

2. In Table 1-1, which electron transition (give the wavelength) represents the smallest change
in energy? How do you know?

3. Since the hydrogen atomic emission lines that appear in the visible region of the spectrum
represent a nf = 2, what transition does your answer to #2 represent (show as n i → nf)?

4. Using your data from Table 1-1 for the longest wavelength, calculate RH (the Rydberg
constant for hydrogen) in units of m-1. Show your calculation clearly with correct units and
significant figures.

5. Using the same type of calculation as in #4, complete the fourth column in Table 1-1. Find the
average value of RH from the data in Table 1-1.

Average RH value from spectroscope measurements:

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

Part I.B: Spectrophotometer Measurements of Hydrogen Emission and the Balmer-Rydberg equation

6. Now that we have an experimentally determined value for RH, we can predict other emission
lines that we were not able to observe with the limited scale of the spectroscope. For hydrogen,
predict the wavelength (in nm) of the next unobserved transition.

7. Once you have calculated your predicted wavelength, check with your TA to see if you are on
the right track. Your TA should initial your report before you continue with the rest of Part I.

TA initials: _________________

Let us now see if our calculations match experiment! Go back to the lab manual and complete
the requested measurements.

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

8. Neatly transfer the wavelength () data from your notebook to Table 1-2, identify the ni
values, and provide the requested calculation results (all in decimal form, e.g., 1.250 instead of
1 1
1¼, with 4 sig figs). In your lab notebooknotes, show your calculations for  and 𝑛2 for the
𝑖
longest recorded wavelength. (Hint: for ease of plotting the data in Q13 provide the results of
your 1/ calculations in Table 1-2 using units of “ x 10-3 nm-1”.)

Table 1-2. Hydrogen lamp emission lines from a USB spectrometer.

 (nm) ni 1
( x 10-3 nm-1) 1

𝑛𝑖2

9. Does your wavelength prediction in Q6 match the experimental data you recorded?

10. The literature value for the longest visible-region spectral line for hydrogen is 656.3 nm.
Calculate the percent error for your longest wavelength emission line for hydrogen recorded
using the spectroscope and using the USB spectrophotometer.
|𝑥𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 −𝑥𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 |
% error = × 100
𝑥𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒

Spectroscope Spectrometer

11. Compare the two % error values you calculated in Q10 and give a reasonable explanation
for any differences. Discuss, specifically, how the instruments you use differ in terms of
accuracy.

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

12. In Q4, you used the known nf value and one of the recorded data points to determine the
value of the Rydberg constant, RH. Another approach would be to rearrange the Balmer-
Rydberg equation into the equation of a line (y = mx + b) such that all of the wavelengths you
recorded and the corresponding ni values can be used to determine the value of RH rather than
relying on a single data point.

1 1 1
= 𝑅𝐻 ( 2 − 2 )
𝜆 𝑛𝑓 𝑛𝑖

1 1 𝑅𝐻
= −𝑅𝐻 ( 2 ) + 2
𝜆 𝑛𝑖 𝑛𝑓

Provide expressions for the data plotted on each axis, as well as the slope and y-intercept, both
of which can be used independently to calculate the value of the Rydberg constant.

y-axis: ________________________ x-axis:____________________

slope: ________________________ y-intercept: _____________________

13. Create a hand-drawn plot your data from Table 1-2 using the graph paper below (use a
straight-edge or ruler!). In the boxes provided, clearly label your axes and title the plot.

2.8

2.4

2.0

1.6

1.2

0.8

0.4

0
0.11
0.01

0.04
0.03

0.05

0.07

0.09

0.12
0.02

0.06

0.08

0.10
0

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

14. Graphically determine the slope and y-intercept of your hand-drawn plot. (Remember:
slope = rise/run). Calculate RH (in m-1) from the graphically determined slope and y-intercept.
Show your data and calculations.

Graphically-determined slope: ______________________________

Graphically-determined y-intercept: _________________________

RH from the slope:

RH from the y-intercept:

Average RH value from slope and intercept values:

15. Outside of the lab session, use Excel to create a plot of your data and record here the slope
and y-intercept that Excel calculates for the trendline. (If necessary, format the trendline label
to increase the number of significant digits visible.) You should NOT attach the graph.

What values are on the x-axis? ___________________

What values are on the y-axis? ___________________

slope from Excel: _______________________ RH from the slope: ____________________

y-intercept from Excel: __________________ RH from the y-intercept: ________________

Average RH value from slope and intercept values:

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

16. Record and compare the three average values you have determined for RH with the literature
value 1.097 x 107 m-1. Show your work for the % error calculations.

Table 1-3. Experimentally determined RH values and % Error.

Value of RH % Error from literature value
RH from Q5

RH from Q14 (hand-

drawn plot)

RH from Q15 (Excel

plot)

17. Discuss benefits and drawbacks for the three approaches for determining an accurate value
for RH (i.e., single data point, slope of plot, y-intercept of plot). Which method would you
recommend to someone hoping to get the most accurate value? Why?

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NAME _______________________________ Quiz Section ________

Part II: Observing atomic emission of metal salts with the flame test

18. Neatly transfer the data from your notebook to Table 1-4.

Table 1-4. Flame test results and observations.

Metal ion responsible
Sample solution Color of solution Color of flame
for color of flame
CuCl2·H2O
BaCl2
LiCl
SrCl2
KCl
KNO3
Unknown A
Unknown B
Unknown C

19. Compare your results table with two other groups. Did all three groups reach consensus on
these observations? If not, which ones were different? Why do you think they might have been
different? (Be specific. “Human error” is not an acceptable answer.) Please provide the station
numbers for the two groups you talked with to compare your results.

Your station #: _______ Comparison station: _______ Comparison station: _______

20. Suggest a better method for determining the identity of these unknown solutions. Why
would it be better? Are there any disadvantages to using the method you recommend?