Ko University

Fall 2015
CHEM 101 GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
EXPERIMENT 2
Atomic Spectra of Elements
INTRODUCTION:
Any atomic gas or element (heated to vapor form) can radiate light when
suitably "excited" by an electric discharge, spark, or flame. When this light
is dispersed by a prism or diffraction grating, the spectrum -consists of a
series of discrete lines whose wavelengths are characteristic of the
element concerned- forms. These wavelengths are directly related to the
electronic structure of the atom; in fact, the modern theory of atomic
structure was developed as a result of attempts to explain the observed
atomic spectra. The purpose of this experiment is to determine
experimentally the energy of the electronic transitions in the hydrogen
atom by analyzing the wavelengths of the Balmer series (transitions to n
= 2 level). In addition, wavelengths characteristic for the emission of
different lamps will be examined.
In 1885 J.J. Balmer succeeded in fitting a mathematical equation to
the wavelengths of hydrogen emission in the visible region, namely
1/ = RH (1/22 1/n2) n = 3, 4, 5

Eq.1

where RH was an experimentally determined constant, called the Rydberg

constant. The values of principal quantum number, n, corresponded to
successive lines of the so-called Balmer series shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Energy level diagram showing the Balmer series of hydrogen.

Rydberg (1888) showed based on Bohrs model that the observed spectral
lines were caused by electrons making transitions from one energy level to
another. He stated that if an electron in an initial energy state Ei drops to a
final lower energy state Ef, the energy difference E = Ei Ef is radiated as
a photon whose energy is given by
E = hf = Ei - Ef = hc /
where;

Eq.2

h = 6.63 x 10-34 Joule.second (Plancks constant);

c = 3.00 x 108 m/s (the speed of light);
f = frequency of the photon.

The radiation can be observed with naked eye if the wavelength is in

visible region. Figure 2 shows spectral lines of hydrogen.

Figure 2. Spectral lines for hydrogen. The wavelengths are given in

nanometers.
Rydberg generalized the expression for the wavelength of the all emitted
radiations:
1/ = RH (1/nfinal2 1/ninitial2)

Eq.3

Other series in the hydrogen spectrum were also predicted later and
observed experimentally which are: Lyman series (n final = 1), Paschen series
(nfinal= 3), Brackett series (nfinal = 4), and Pfund series (nfinal = 5). Some of
these series can be seen in figure 3.

Figure 3. Spectral series of hydrogen

In order to be able to separate the characteristic wavelenghts in the
spectra emitted by the hydrogen lamp, the light should be dispersed by a
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diffraction grating. Diffraction grating is a large number of evenly spaced

parallel slits (grating constant k = 1 / # grooves per unit length) which
splits and diffracts light into several beams travelling in different
directions. Figure 4 shows the difraction of incident ligth with grating.

Figure 4. Diffraction of light into several beams with grating

The directions of these beams depend on the spacing of the grating and
the wavelength of the light. If light of wavelength falls on a grating
having a grating constant, k, the diffracted intensity maxima occurs if the
angle of diffraction satisfies the condition:
k sin = x.
where:

Eq.4

x = order of diffraction = 1, 2, 3, ... (1st diffraction line

corresponds to x = 1)
k = diffraction grating constant (spacing between two groves
on the grating)
= angle of diffraction
= wavelength

Figure 5. Diffraction of light of wavelength at the grating

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The first order diffraction can be calculated using equation 5 as follows.

=k sin =k
where:

l
( d +l2 )

Eq.5

d = Distance between grating and light source

l = Distance between the two same color lines in the spectra
(one is on the left, the other is on the right side of the lamp)
divided by 2

MATERIALS:

Lamp & tube

High voltage supply

Meter scale

Diffraction grating
Figure 6. Experimental Setup

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
1. Set-up was already prepared for you as shown in figure 5.
2. Hydrogen spectral tubes, which are used as radiation sources, were
connected to the high voltage power supply.
3. The scale was attached directly behind the spectral tube
4. The light coming out of the tube opening is observed through the
grating.
5. The room is darkened to the point where it is still possible to read the
scale.
6. The distance 2l between spectral lines of the same color in the right
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and left first order spectra are set on the scale without moving ones
head and read. Measure 2l for each color (if there is more than one) and
record in the table.
7. The distance d between the lamp and the grating should be
measured by tape-measure.

DATA SHEET
Name & Surname:
Date:

Table 1: The Balmer series of spectral lines for hydrogen

Color of radiation

2 l (mm)

l (mm)

d (mm)

Table 2: The Balmer series of spectral lines for other elements

Lamps

Color of plasma

2 l (mm)

d (mm)