Ellen Campbell

Steve Smith
Junior Chemistry
7 October 2014
Exploration of Spectroscopy of Metals in Solutions
Introduction
The purpose of the spectroscopic investigation of metals in solutions is to
understand how emissions lines and spectroscopy have allowed for identification of
substances. Also to understand both the Bohr and quantum mechanical models of the
atoms and how they can help explain emission spectrum lines. This investigation will
also allow for spectroscopic analysis of several samples to gain proficiency with a
spectroscope, spectrometer, and analysis of that data. Lastly, to come to understand how
spectroscopy and emission lines have helped developed the history and refinement of
atomic models. In this lab, solutions of metals and non-metals will be placed in a flame
to determine their effect to the color of a flame, as well as the wavelengths using a
spectrometer, and the proper usage and understanding of a spectroscopic.
The Bohr model of an atom was developed from Rutherfords model by the name
of Niels Bohr. The Bohr model originally described hydrogen, includes electrons that
orbit on rings that can only have discrete energies, and explains emission lines. The
model shows the atom as a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged
electrons that move in an orbit around the nucleus. These orbits around the nucleus are
considered different energy levels. Now when an electron jumps from orbit to orbit it
emits energy creating a wavelength. The wavelength depends on the direction, to or from
the nucleus, the electron is moving. Bohrs model explains emission lines because of
photons. Photons are the things that show the amount of energy, which is reflected in
light. So when a certain amount of energy is emitted a light will be reflected in a certain
color. The color of light shows the energy level. The next model of an atom in history is
the quantum mechanical model, which describes other multi-electron atoms not just
hydrogen. The difference between the Bohr model and the quantum mechanical model is
the idea of a probability cloud. This model with a cloud describes the location of the
electrons more specifically using quantum numbers. In comparison with these two
models they both agree that electrons only have discrete energies and they explain
emission lines. Both of these theories derived from previous ideas of the atom. Starting
with Daltons idea of a hard sphere and moving to Thomsons model that included
positive and negative charges, and then to Rutherfords idea that the positively parts were
dense on the inside and the negative parts were on the outside. All of these models built
up the Bohr and quantum mechanical models.
Spectroscopy is the study how energy and elements interact by the use of prisms
and wavelengths, which emits emission spectrum lines. Emission spectrum lines are
shown through a spectrometer when energy is released from the photons. The energy
comes through in colors, which we can see against black and is then compared on a scale.
Spectrometer records and measures spectrums. By using a spectrometer scientist are able
to identify elements with in a solution because each element has its own emission
spectrum. Overtime, spectroscopy has allowed for the discovery of many new elements.

By looking at where the lines are on the scale and their color a comparison of different
elements with already known ones can lead to new elements.
Part I Qualitative Investigation
Results:
Table 1 Substance and Flame Color
Solution
Flame Color
Control

Orange

NaCl

Orange

CuCl2

Bright teal green

LiCl

Orange

KCl

Peach/Pink

CaCl2

Orange

SrCl2

Bright pink/red

Unknown 1

Orange

Unknown 2

Light pink/purple

Discussion:
Based on what was observed throughout part one of the investigation the
unknown substances can be determined by comparing other substances. By looking at
substances that emitted the same color as the unknown substances identification can be
determined. Unknown substance 1 is chlorine (Cl) because orange is the most common
color in the results. Primarily, all of the substances that have chlorine in them have either
been orange in color or have an orange tint in their color. For example, Lithium Chlorine
(LiCl) is orange in color and has chlorine in it; also Calcium Chlorine two (CaCl2 ) is
orange in color and has chlorine in it. Unknown substance 2 has Potassium (K) and
Strontium (Sr) in it because the colors shown in the two solutions with those elements in
it also appear in the unknown 2 solution.
Part II Spectrometer

Results:
Figure 1: KCl - Intensity vs. Wavelength as measured by a spectrometer

Wavelength: 773.9 nm and 588.5nm

Figure 2: LiCl - Intensity vs. Wavelength as measured by a spectrometer

Peak Wavelengths: 670.8 nm and 590.0nm

Figure 3: NaCl- Intensity vs. Wavelength as measured by a spectrometer

Peak Wavelength: 589.2nm

Figure 4: SrCl2 - Intensity vs. Wavelength as measured by a spectrometer

Peak Wavelengths: 589.2nm, 606.4nm, 671.6nm, 773.1nm, 684.6nm

Figure 5: Unknown 3 - Intensity vs. Wavelength as measured by a spectrometer

Peak Wavelength: 773.9nm

Discussion:
It is possible to detect one metal in the presence of another using spectroscopy
because each element gives off a different wavelength. The energy of the element is
emitted through a pyramid, which shows the interaction between energy and the element.
For each element there will be a different interaction because there is a different amount
of energy. Therefore, each peak will resemble a different element. By looking at where
the peak is on the spectroscope the color or wavelength will determine the element. For
example, LiCl had two peaks at two different wavelengths and two different colors on the
scale. This determines that there are two elements in this solution.
In the solution Unknown 3 there appeared to be only one element because there
was only one peak. This peak had a wavelength of 773.9nm and was in the color red.
This element is most likely Chlorine (Cl) because looking at the other graphs all the
peaks in the red color are Cl and have a similar wavelength. Also the amount of energy of
an element will reflect in the intensity and can help determine what element it is.
Chlorine has a high intensity therefore it has a high energy level.
The peaks seen on an Intensity vs. Wavelength graph relate to emission line
because of the colors. Chlorine will peak in the color red on a graph and emit a line on
the red end of the scale in a spectroscope. Both the graph and the emission lines share a
similar scale, which can determine the element.

Part III Spectrum Tube Analysis with a Spectroscope

Results:

Figure 1: Emission Spectrum of A

Figure 2: Emission Spectrum of B

Figure 3: Emission Spectrum of C

Discussion:
Figure 1 above is classified as Hydrogen (H) based on the wavelengths that were
shown in the spectroscope. Hydrogen has wavelengths at about 420nm, at 480nm, and at
640nm. By looking at the results of the investigation and comparing the spectral lines the
closest match is Hydrogen. Figure 2 above is classified as Mercury (Hg) based on the
wavelengths displayed in the spectroscope. Mercury has wavelengths at about 400nm, at
420nm, at 490nm, at 500nm, at 580nm, and at 200nm. Using the colors and the
wavelengths from the investigation as well as other emission spectrum provided
verification that figure 2 is Mercury. Lastly, Figure 3 above is classified as Lithium (Li)

based on the visual evidence of the wavelengths. Lithium has wavelengths at about
430nm, at 490nm, and at 585nm. When looking at the emission lines in the results
compared to other lithium emission spectrum lines it is obvious that they coincide.
When using a spectroscope to observe emission lines the entire emission spectrum
for any given element cannot be seen. Some lines are so faint it is hard to see with the
human eye in the dim lighting in the lab. Using a light that is shined onto the scale allows
for easier reading. However, if a line does not exist it will not be visible at all.
It would be possible to detect Na in the presence of H because when looking at
the emission spectrum scale the lines of the two do not over lap. The wavelengths are
different, differentiating between them would only require knowing and seeing the
wavelengths. The wavelength of Na is primarily 590nm, based on the line spectra charts
provided, which is at the color yellow. The wavelengths of H are 420nm, 450nm, 480nm,
and 650nm. These wavelengths clearly do not over lap, making the detection of them in
the presence of each other simple.
Spectroscopy is a very important tool that is used to identify and discover new
elements. Cesium was discovered by the use of spectroscopy in 1860 from mineral water.
During a spectrophotometer test spectra lines from certain elements were observed and
when the elements were chemically removed two new lines appeared as the other lines
faded. These lines were bright blue and had never been seen before. Based on these lines
at a certain wavelength a new element had been discovered. The use of a spectrometer
has allowed for scientist throughout history and to this day to explore elements as well as
discover new elements, by observing spectrum lines wavelengths.