Table 1.

Data for Determining the Bright Line Spectrum of Hydrogen

Red,
right
image
Red, left
image
Aqua,
right
image
Aqua,
left
image
Blue,
right
image
Blue,
left
image

x (+/0.02cm)

y (+/0.02cm)

sin
(+/0.00021
7)

= d sin
(+/3.026E9)

34.84

96.51

0.36099
9

25.03

93.42

0.26231
4

6.8371E5.06557E
7
+14
4.96807
E-7

24.67

93.32

0.26435
9

4.43862
E-7

23.38

92.92

0.25145
2

4.76235
E-7

21.50

92.53

0.23235
7

4.4007E7

0.25145
2

4.76235
E-7

23.38

92.98

(3.0851E1
2 s-1)

E (+/2.050 E21 J)

3.3654E
-19

6.5165E+
14

4.3179E
-19

6.5435E+
14

4.3358E
-19

z = sqrt(x2+y2)
sin = x/z
d = distance between two grooves of the diffraction grating, diffraction
grating = 5280lines/cm 1cm/5280 lines * 1m/100cm = 1.8939 x 106

m/line

= d sin
c = = c/
E = h , where h=6.626 x 10-7
Sample calculations for Red, left image:
a) z = sqrt[(25.03cm+/-0.02cm)2+(90.00cm+/-0.02cm)2]
z = (93.42+/-0.02)cm

b) sin = (25.03+/-0.02)cm/(93.42+/-0.02)cm
sin = 0.2623+/-0.0002170
c) = (1.8939 x 10-6m)(0.2623+/-0.0002170)
= (4.439+/-3.03)m*10-7
d) = c/ (4.439+/-3.03)m*10-7
= (5.06557*1014+/-3.09*1012) s-1
e) E= h (5.06557*1014+/-3.09*1012) s-1
E = (3.365*10-19+/-2.05*10-21)J
f) Percent error (correct value for red line wavelength: 6.56 x 10-7m;
source: lab; note average value for left and right red light image
used):
[|(5.90x10-7m 6.56x10-7m|)/( 6.56x10-7m)] x 100 = 10.1%
Spectra Lab Report/Questions
1. The incandescent spectrum is continuous (figure 1). The sunlight
also produces a continuous spectrum of light (figure 2), suggesting
that the incandescent and bulb and the sunlight are in the same
categories. The fluorescent light through the spectroscope shows
that the light is no the same as white light. The light is spread so
that separate bands of colours are seen (figure 3).
2. The helium line spectrum has more bands of colour than the
hydrogen line spectrum. Helium has more spectral lines because
helium has two electrons instead of hydrogens one electron and as
such the electrons can be excited to more energy levels and the
probability that the energy given off will be in the visible range
increases.
3. Hydrogen gives bright line spectra because the emission lines which
correspond to photons of discrete energy are produced by hydrogen
gas particles that do not experience collisions between each other
due to low density. However, the incandescent light is produced by
heating a filament, which is solid, inside the bulb, resulting in a
continuous spectrum. Furthermore, it is important to note that
sunlight is also continuous because the hydrogen gas in the sun is
densely compacted and the sun also contains helium, resulting in a
continuous spectrum.

4. See table 1 and calculations

5. See table 1 and calculations
6. The n=initial is 2 because the Balmer series, which is the visible
region of hydrogen, starts at n=2. Using Rydbergs formula for

hydrogen

1
1 1
=R( 2 2 )

ni nf

where R is the Rydberg constant,

approximately 1.097*10-2nm-1

Calculation for red:

1
1 1
=R 2 2 n f =

ni nf

1
1

2
ni R

nf =

1
1

2
2 R

) =3.2=3

Refer to Table 1 for wavelength values. Note that the wavelength

values is used are the averages of the left and right images.
Calculation for aqua:
1
1
1
nf =

=4
2
2 R

(
(

Calculation for blue:

1
1 1
nf=

=5
2
2 R

7. Energy Level Diagram showing transitions for three wavelengths of

the hydrogen spectrum as the photon is released.