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CC Spectros

CC Spectroscopy

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6 views4 pages

CC Spectros

CC Spectroscopy

Uploaded by

degregorioj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Spectroscopy Lab

Background Info:

Bohr proposed that an electron is found only in specific circular paths, or orbits, around the nucleus.
As a result, each orbit has a fixed energy called an energy level. These energy levels (orbits) are like
the rungs of a ladder (See Figure A). The electrons cannot be found in between these energy levels,
just like a person cannot stand in between the rungs. Electrons must gain energy (become excited) to
move up energy levels. Electrons can become excited by heat, light or electricity. These high energy
electrons are unstable and eventually fall back down to their lower energy levels (ground states)
releasing the energy that they had gained when they were initially excited. This energy is released in
the form of light with a specific wavelength, called a photon.

White light will produce a continuous spectrum when viewed using a prism or spectroscope (see
Figure B). Different colors of light have different energies. When electrons of an atom are excited
they will release different colors of light as they fall back to ground state (this is called emission line
spectra). The colors of light correspond to the amount of energy released (See Figure C). Using a
spectroscope, you can view the emission line spectra. Different elements produce different spectra
that are unique enough to be considered a “fingerprint” of the element.

Figure A Figure B Figure C

Procedure:
1) Learn to use your spectroscope by following along with your teacher’s instructions.
2) Collect the spectrum data for Hydrogen. Draw it into the space below.

Hydrogen

3) Draw the spectra for the remaining elements (including the unknown). Be sure to include the
colors and wavelengths of each line you observe. Don’t forget to label the element sample you
are looking at!
UNKNOWN
1) Why do the elements in the tubes have to have high voltage electricity running
through them before the colored light can be emitted?

2) How can you use the emission spectrum of an element to identify it?

3) Identify the unknown substance you observed by comparing it to the knowns that
you looked at. Which element do you think it is and why?

4) Using the yellow line wavelength that you labeled in your sodium drawing,
calculate the energy of that photon. Be sure to show all work and use units!

5) Using the picture provide below, you should notice a similarity between a
fluorescent light bulb and Mercury. Explain why you think this might be.

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