Abstract
This lab was an introductory exploration into the
spectroscopy method of identifying gasses.
Introduction
Spectroscopy is a scientific technique used by astronomers to determine the composition of a substance by determining what quantities of electromagnetic radiation that the substance either emits or absorbs. In this lab students will explore this scientific technique and apply it to substances seen within the classroom.
Results
For each individual spectroscopy investigation I made charts
to clarify the investigation number, how I perceived the gas color, a
description of the spectrum, color peaks in the spectrum that seemed the most
intense, the spectroscopy number of each line respectively, and what I assume
the content of the gas is. Beneath the Charts is the emission spectra that I
feel most resembles what I saw in the lab.
Investigation #
|
Appearance of gas color
|
Description of spectrum
|
Color peaks in spectrum by strength (strongest to weakest)
|
Numeric spectroscopy value of peaks
(respectively)
|
Estimated elemental value
|
Investigation 1
|
bright white with a faint yellowish tint
|
Does not contain any peak colors rather a continuous spectrum
|
Dark spot locations not properly identified
|
N/A
|
Investigation 2
|
Faint violet red hue
|
Nearly continuous in spectrum with some distinct strong lines
|
R, BG, O
|
655,495,595
|
Nitrogen
|
Investigation 3
|
Strong bright orange hue
|
Very intense frequency of lines from in one portion and some distinct
lines elsewhere
|
R to Y, G, G
|
≈580 to ≈680, 540, 545
|
Neon
|
Investigation 4
|
Faint pale blue hue
|
Distinctly separate lines present with slightly different visible
intensities
|
V, YG, Y, R
|
585, 555, 515,
|
Helium
|
Investigation 5
|
Salmonish orange pink in hue
|
Presence of very intense but distinctly separate lines
|
O, V, R, G, BG, YG, R, Y, BG
|
590, 450, 665, 500 470, 490, 545, 705, 570
|
Calcium
|
Investigation 6
|
Bright yellowish orange hue
|
Very intense frequency of specific lines and dwindling strength in
others
|
O, YG, R, YG, G, B
|
590, 565, 615, 495, 515, 465
|
Aluminum
|
Investigation 7
|
Bright bluish green hue
|
Very few distinctively intense lines present
|
Y, Y, BV, G
|
565, 560, 535, 545
|
Sodium
|
Conclusion
This lab is by far one of the most fun that we have done thus far in the course. The students were given a lot of individual freedom after examining the substances. However, I will confidently bet that the students who examined the substances in class and sought their elements were more often correct than the students who noted the peaks of interest on paper and sought the names of the substances later. Even though I am in the latter group mentioned above, I still enjoyed the lab and have a heightened appreciation for astronomers using the spectroscopy method to find undiscovered things in space.
This lab is by far one of the most fun that we have done thus far in the course. The students were given a lot of individual freedom after examining the substances. However, I will confidently bet that the students who examined the substances in class and sought their elements were more often correct than the students who noted the peaks of interest on paper and sought the names of the substances later. Even though I am in the latter group mentioned above, I still enjoyed the lab and have a heightened appreciation for astronomers using the spectroscopy method to find undiscovered things in space.
No comments:
Post a Comment