Lacey Andersen

Investigating Atomic Emission Spectrum through Spectroscopy

Intro
The lab experiment involved observing and recording substances, color reaction, and
color wavelengths of several substances when exposed to heat and observing color
wavelengths in a spectroscope. The purpose was to learn about the Bohr and Quantum models
and how to use them to explain emission spectrum lines, perform spectroscopic analysis on
several samples, and understand how emission lines and spectroscopy have played a large part
in identification and discovery of substances.
The Bohr model of an atom was created by Neils Bohr. It shows a round shape as the
nucleus in the middle with multiple rings surrounding it, representing the different orbits. The
negatively charged electrons orbit around the nucleus on these rings. Each orbit represents a
different level of energy. When an electron releases a photon of light it loses energy and jumps
to an orbit closer to the nucleus. An electron can also increase in energy when hit by a photon
and jump to an orbit farther away from the Nucleus. As more information was learned about
the movement of electrons in an atom the Quantum Mechanical model of an atom was
created. It shows the newer and more accurate version to represent electrons movement
compared to the Bohr Model. The Quantum Mechanical Model is different from the Bohr
because the electrons are In a cloud-like part of the orbit showing were the electrons are most
likely to be found rather than a specific orbit like rings around the nucleus. Both models aim to
explain the same thing but the Quantum Mechanical best describes possible location for the
electrons.
At different frequencies that are dependent on energy, there are specific colors found.
Emission Spectrum lines are lines showing the specific frequencies and energy levels found in
each element, this is the same thing as the orbits in the Bohr Model. This atomic theory has
developed in the terms of understanding that frequency levels are not evenly spaced out like
the Bohr Model. People use emission spectrum lines to identify elements because each
element has specific frequencies of elements energys intern specific color spectrums for that
element. Its in many ways like the elements color fingerprint, no element has the same color
spectrum. Spectroscopy is the investigation and measurement of spectra produced when
matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation. To see these color spectrums we use
a spectrometer which is a device that measures and records spectrums. It separates the light
into specific colors normally with a prism. Shows how many light photons of each color that are
released in each substance and puts it into a table for us to study. Spectroscopy is used to
identify new substances because it gives you a specific fingerprint of the light spectrum in a
substance, which for every substance is different intern helping you find new substances.

Results:
Figure 1-3: Part III Spectrum tube Analysis with a spectroscope

Table 1: Part I Qualitative Investigation

Solution

Flame Color

Control

Orange

NaCI

Orange/Green

CuCI2

Green

LiCI

Orange

KCI

Light Orange/Light Blue

CaCl2

Orange

SrCl2

Red/Orange

Unknown 1

Orange

Unknown 2

Pink/Orange

Figure 5-9: Part II Spectrometer

Figure 5: KCl- Intensities VS Wavelengths as measured in a spectrometer.

Wavelength-77.31 nm

Figure 6: LiCL- Intensities VS Wavelengths as measured in a

spectrometer.
Wavelength-670.8 nm

~Wavelength- 595 nm

Figure 8: SrCl2- Intensities VS Wavelengths as measured in a spectrometer

Wavelength- 590.0 nm

Figure 7: NaCl- Intensities VS Wavelengths as measured in a

spectrometer

Wavelength-773.1 nm

~Wavelength- 605 nm

~Wavelength- 690 nm

~Wavelength- 680 nm

Figure 9: Unknown #6- Intensities VS Wavelengths as measured in a spectrometer

Wavelength- 772.3 nm

Wavelength- 605.7 nm

Wavelength- 670.8 nm

Wavelength- 683.0 nm

DiscussionPart l
The purpose of this lab was to see how different elements emit a different form of light
when excited with a flame. This is when the element emits multiple specific colored photons
but our eyes mix all the colors together, intern becoming the color we can see.
I believe that element LiCl or CaCl2 or a combination are present in Unknown 1. I have
concluded this because Unknown 1 emitted an orange flame and so did the element LiCl and
CaCl2. I am not very confinement in identifying Unknown 1 because many of our elements
emitted several shades of orange.
I believe that a combination of the elements LiCl or CaCl2 and SrCL2 are present in
Unknown 2. I have concluded this because SrCl2 emitted a red/orange flame and LiCl and CaCl2
emitted an orange flame intern the combination of these could possibly create a pink/orange
flame that Unknown 2 emitted. Im relatively confident in identifying this unknown because LiCl
was the only element we tested that had a shade of pink in it, which is the closest element in
color that we tested to Red/Orange color of our Unknown 2.
Considering the factors of multiple elements having the same color spectrum it is hard for
me to be accurate when identifying both unknowns. If I was to do this lab again it would be
beneficial for me pay closer attention to the less prominent colors emitted from the elements.
This would help me get a better understanding of the different energy wavelengths (colors)
each element emits helping me better identify the elements.

Part ll
The purpose of this experiment was to learn how to use a spectrometer to identify the
atomic spectrum lines each element emits. The height or intensity of each peak tells you how
prominent that wavelength of color is in the element. And where the peaks are present is the

wavelength, this tells you the different wavelengths that are found in that element. These
Atomic spectrum lines give us a way to identify elements.
It is possible to detect one metal in the presence of another with spectroscopy. You do this
by comparing the wavelengths observed with wavelengths of known elements. You deciphering
the similarities and differences, and find what elements the differences belong to. You can do
this because every element has its own distinct wavelengths. Like SrCl2 has one distinct
wavelength at 590.0 nm and CiCL has two distinct wavelengths at 595.0 nm and 670.8 nm. So
for example if these two were mixed together you would be able to identify which wavelength
belongs to which element.
I believe that the metal NaCl is present in my Unknown #6. I believe this because it has
the same 4 corresponding wavelengths as I observed as NaCl in my lab. The Unknown had
lower intensities but relatively the same placing of wavelengths of ~605.nm, ~670.nm,
~680.nm, ~770 nm. Considering how similar my wavelengths of Unknown #6 and NaCl are to
each other, I am relatively confident in my results and my identification of Unknown #6. But I
do understand that some of my wavelengths in NaCl are approximations and not specific
points intern making them less reliable and precise.
The peak and Intensity vs. Wavelength graph relates to emission lines like those seen in a
spectroscope in several ways. They both tell you which wavelengths are present in each
element and how prominent each is. With the spectroscope the prominence is shown with
thickness of lines or multiple lines close together on the emission lines, and in Intensity vs.
Wavelength graph its shone through the intensity.

Part lll
The purpose of this experiment was to observe how a spectroscope can separate lights
with a prism intro specific wave lengths for us to be able to see.
I believe that Unknown #A is hydrogen, Unknown #B is Lithium, and Unknown #C is
Carbon. I believe this because hydrogen was the only element we had to choose from that
didnt have a green or prominent yellow spectrum line like Unknown #A. Lithium had the 3
prominent spectrum lines of red orange and green with some less prominent possible light
blues and purple that I observed in Unknown #B. I had observed one of the spectrums as a
yellow in Unknown #B instead of an orange but I believe this could have just been a personal
interpretation error of the color in the lab. And Carbon was the element that best represented
to two shades of green and blue I observed in Unknown #C, and did not show several shades of
yellow/ orange and red that I didnt observed. When you are observing through a spectroscope
you are not seeing the entire emission spectrum of the given element because your eyes can
not see Ultra Violet and Infer red wavelengths that are percent in elements.

It would be possible to detect Sodium in the presence of Hydrogen because sodium emits
several teal, green and yellow wavelengths which are not percent in Hydrogen. You would want
to focus on these three colors more because both elements have similar red and blue
wavelength intern making it more difficult to identify. We use spectroscopy to identify and find
elements as well at discover new elements
Cesium was discovered when identifying elements in Burkeim mineral water with a
spectrophotometer. The spectral lines of several known elements were found and then
removed chemically. After these lines on the spectrum were removed there was two blue lines
that were unexpectedly observed. The discovery of these lines suggested a new element and is
now called Cesium.