Equipment for Emission Lines Demo
Hydrogen Emission Line
Helium Emission Line
Neon Emission Line
Mercury Emission Line

 

Code Number: 7B10.10

Demo Title: Spectral Lines/Spectroscopy - Emission Lines

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Spectra of Various Gases, Spectral Lines of Elements

Area of Study: Optics, Astronomy

Equipment: 

Discharge Tubes: Hydrogen; Helium; Mercury; Neon, Diffraction Grating (Large 4"X6"), Video Camera with Power Supply, Close-Up Lens for Video Camera, and Discharge Tube Power Supply.

Procedure:

See also: 7B10.10 in Modern Physics.

Emission spectra can be shown by putting a discharge tube in front of the 4 X 6 inch grating and focusing the camera onto the grating.  This may be set on either the optics bench or directly onto a table as shown.

References:

  • James Lincoln, "The Lyman and Paschen Series of Hydrogen – Trying to See Invisible Light", TPT, Vol. 57, #5, May 2019, p. 348.
  • Robert Hobbs, "Displaying Diverse Spectra Using a Thin White Line Screen (TWLS)", TPT, Vol. 56, #9, Dec. 2018, p. 603. 
  • Colin S. Wallace, Edward E. Prather, Seth D. Hornstein, Jack O. Burns, Wayne M. Schlingman, and Timothy G. Chambers, "A New Lecture-Tutorial for Teaching about Molecular Excitations and Synchrotron Radiation", TPT, Vol. 54, #1, Jan. 2016, p. 40. 
  • David Sitar, "Imaging Emission Spectra with Handheld and Cellphone Cameras", TPT, Vol. 50, #9, Dec. 2012, p. 524.
  • Mary Bridget Kustusch, Jon D. H. Gaffney, and Robert Beichner, "The Real Prize Inside: Learning About Science and Spectra from Cereal Boxes", TPT, Vol. 47, #7, Oct. 2009, p. 450.
  • M. Farooq Wahab, "Estimating the Wavelength of Sodium Emission in Flame - The Easy Way", TPT, Vol. 47, #6, Sept. 2009, p. 367.
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  • Donald F. Collins, "Video Spectroscopy - Emission, Absorption, and Flash", TPT, Vol. 38, #9, Dec. 2000, p. 561.
  • Samuel M. Sampere, "The Neon Sign", TPT, Vol. 37, #3, Mar. 1999, p. 140.
  • Michael C. Lo Presto, "A Closer Look at the Spectrum of Helium", TPT, Vol. 36, #3, Mar. 1998, p. 172.
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  • Nina Abramzon and P. B. Siegel, "Introductory Helium Atomic Spectrum Analysis", AJP, Vol. 77, #10, Oct. 2009, p. 920.
  • M. Vollmer, "Hot Gases: The Transition from Line Spectrum to Thermal Radiation", AJP, Vol. 73, #3, Mar. 2005, p. 215.
  • Robert de Levie, "On Deconvolving Spectra", AJP, Vol. 72, #7, July 2004, p. 910.
  • Anne L. Boreen, Renae L. Coons, Darin J. Ulness, and Bryan A. Luther, "Investigating Collisional Broadening of Spectral Lines Using a Tuning Fork: An Undergraduate Laboratory", AJP, Vol. 68, #8, Aug. 2000, p. 768.
  • G. B. Bianchetti and S. Ganci, "A Demonstration Experiment to Display Diffraction Patterns on an Oscilloscope", AJP, Vol. 54, #3, Mar. 1986, p. 283.
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  • "O-520: Concave Mirror", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • "O-510: Aperture - Line or Other Image", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • Doug Balmer, "Identifying Mercury in Fluorescent Light Bulbs", The Caliper, Vernier Software & Technology, Fall 2017, p.6.
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  • Wallace A. Hilton, "S-1", Experiments in Optical Physics, p. 48.
  • Jearl Walker, "The Spectra of Streetlights Illuminate Basic Principles of Quantum Mechanics", The Amateur Scientist, Jan. 1984.
  • "This Day in Physics History: December 1910: Neon Lights Debut at Paris Motor Show", APS News, Dec. 2015, p. 2, 3.
  • "This Day in Physics History: August 18 and October 20, 1868: Discovery of Helium", APS News, #8 & 9, 2014, p. 2, 3.
  • "Experiment 21 Spectrum of Atomic Hydrogen", Vernier Software & Technology, p. 21-1 - 21-6.
  • Richard Born, "A Quantitative Investigation of the Helium Spectrum", Vernier, March 2014.
  • John L. Roeder, Activity 10, "Energy Levels in Atomic Systems ", Teaching About Energy, p. 140.
  • David Kutliroff, "17, Spectroscopy Demonstration with Large Grating", 101 Classroom Demonstrations and Experiments For Teaching Physics, p. 44.
  • Borislaw Bilash II and David Maiullo, "Emission Spectra", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 362.
  • Yaakov Kraftmakher, "4.9, Hydrogen Atom", Experiments and Demonstrations in Physics, ISBN 981-256-602-3, p. 277.
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  • Robert Ehrlich, "Diffraction-Grating Sheets", Turning the World Inside Out, p. 203 - 204.
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  • "Spectroscopy", The New Illustrated - Science & Invention Encyclopedia, p. 2528 - 2532.
  • C. Harvey Palmer, "Experiment D2: The Grating Spectrometer", Optics - Experiments and Demonstrations, John Hopkins Press, 1962.
  • "A Study of Spectra", Selective Experiments in Physics, CENCO, 1962.
  • W. Bolton, "The Hydrogen Spectrum", Book 3 - Atomic Physics, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 29.
  • W. Bolton, "Qualitative Spectroscopy", Book 2 - Waves and Particles, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 44.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Emission Spectra“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 113.