Atomic Spectrum

Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry

Background
The concept of the atom has long been pondered by scientific minds, and the model of the atom
continued to develop and progress into the early 1900s. A scientist named J.J. Thomson
discovered the electron, and a later scientist named Ernest Rutherford determined that there was a
dense center of positive charge inside the atom that he called the nucleus. Niels Bohr, a student of
Rutherford, questioned Rutherfords model and wondered how electrons were positioned around
the nucleus. The color of light emitted (given off) by an element when it is held in a flame gave
clues to the arrangement of electrons in an atom. So, does the spectrum of light emitted from an
energized atom have something to do with the electron arrangement?
First, it is important to understand how light behaves like a wave and then apply that
understanding to the model of the atom. One way that energy travels through space is in the form
of electromagnetic radiation. These electromagnetic waves are described by two characteristics
wavelength and frequency. Electromagnetic waves can range from a wavelength of 1 x 10-14 m
(gamma rays) to a wavelength of 1000 m (radio waves). The frequency of the wave is inversely
related to the wavelength. This means that the gamma rays have the highest frequency, and radio
waves will have a very low frequency. Visible light is the most familiar part of the electromagnetic
spectrum, with colors ranging from violet to red.
The Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum = a continuum of all electromagnetic waves
arranged according to frequency and wavelength
Wavelength, (lambda) = distance between corresponding points on a continuous wave
Frequency, f = number of waves that pass a given point in a certain period of time
Crest = the highest point on a wave
Trough = the lowest point of a wave

Please continue to the next page.

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Atomic Spectrum
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry

Background, continued
All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, 3 x 108 m/s, depicted by the letter c. The
equation below shows that wavelength and frequency are inversely related, meaning as one
increases, the other decreases. Since they both multiply together to equal c, if one goes up, then
the other has to go down.
Speed of light, c = 3.00 x 108 m/s = f
Light definitely has a wave-like nature, but it also has a particle-like nature. It is the particle nature
of light that is responsible for the colors produced by the metal ions when held in a flame. If light
were only made of waves, then the metals in the flame would emit all colors and wavelengths of
light. Instead, we see only certain wavelengths emitted from each metal. These correspond to
particles of light with energies specific to the metals that emit them. Max Planck performed tests on
metals that emitted certain colors of light and named the particles of light photons. He determined
a formula that relates the energy of a photon of light to its wavelength using a constant that bears
his name.
Plancks constant, h = 6.63 10-34 Js
Energy of a photon, E = h f (Joules)
Plancks constant is expressed as units of energy multiplied by time. The unit of energy is joules
(J), and time in seconds (s), hence Js. The electromagnetic spectrum is made up of
electromagnetic waves with wavelengths that range from 1000 meters (the size of a small
mountain) to 1 x 10-14 meters (the size of an atom). The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that
you will observe is a very small part of the whole EM spectrum called the visible spectrum. This
part of the spectrum is made up of all the colors of the rainbow, known as ROYGBIV (Red, Orange,
Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet), in order of decreasing wavelength.

Visible Spectrum

R O Y G B I V

Complete the Background Section of your Student Journal.

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Atomic Spectrum
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry

Part I: Plan Your Investigation

In this descriptive investigation, you will examine the emission lines given off by certain elements in
the visible spectrum. You will use a measuring device called a spectroscope to look at the emission
lines, called emission spectra, and record numerical data, so you can describe the wave in terms
of frequency, wavelength, and energy.

Part II: Implement Your Investigation

The teacher will set up a series of sealed gas bulbs (called spectrum tubes) containing different
elements or compounds. A power supply will be used to send electricity through the bulb, exciting
the electrons to make the emission spectrum for that element visible. The spectrum tubes cannot
be on for longer than two minutes as they get very hot. Therefore, you will need to collect data
quickly. Before you begin, examine your spectroscope and try looking at the overhead lights in the
room to practice seeing the lines and the scale inside. The scale ranges from 400 nm to 700 nm
(the scale may run from 4 to 7 instead of 400 to 700.) The lines of the visible spectrum produced by
each element in the spectrum tubes will fall somewhere within this range. Use a set of colored
pencils or markers as well as the charts provided in Part II of your Student Journal to record your
data.
1. Use the spectroscope to identify the emission spectra lines for the different elements in the
spectrum tubes.
2. Record the lines using matching colors in the data chart provided. Match the wavelength
measurement line to the lines you observe in the elements spectrum.
3. Perform the calculations and answer the remaining questions in your Student Journal.

Use Parts I and II of your Student Journal to Plan and Implement your investigation.
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