Atomic Emission Line Spectra

836 Words4 Pages
Atomic Emission Line Spectra Introduction: Simply observing the emission from different elements was what the students did in the lab. The purpose of this lab was for the students to use the observations from the diffraction grating and compare the observations to Emission Line Spectrums from different elements and identify them. The transition of electrons from higher to lower electronic energy levels in elements produce emissions of light. Electrons are moved to higher energy levels when energy is supplied tot the element. When the electron returns to a lower level, a photon with that energy difference is emitted. The peaks in the emission spectra are very sharp and known as line spectra. This emission spectra can be used in identification of elements because the spectra is different for each element. Materials: 1. Spectrum tubes (known and unknown) 2. Diffraction grafting 3. Flinn Emission Spectra Manuel Procedure: Caution: Do not touch the power supply. Your instructor will set up each spectrum tube for you. 1. The students observed a known element. The students held the square of diffraction grafting off to either side of the emitted light and the students saw a set of light. The students may have also seen other identical weaker sets of lines, which the students ignored. 2. The students started at the red end of the spectrum and numbered each line or groups of lines that the students saw. The students recorded the colors of the lines. 3. The students estimated the intensities of each of the lines as best as the students could by choosing the most intense line on the spectrum and comparing the rest to that one. 4. The students repeated this process with unknown elements that the instructor has chosen. The students recorded the number of the spectrum tube and the colors and intensities of lines. Data: Table 1: Spectrum tube #1

More about Atomic Emission Line Spectra

Open Document