Activity 2 - Spectroscopy of family one salts.

This is not an experiment because there aren't any manipulated variables per se. Yes, we
are changing salts but I don't consider this an experiment.

Introduction/Background Study:

As discussed in class, electrons reside within energy levels surrounding an atom. These
energy levels radiate outward from the nucleus, increasing volume as we move away
from the centre. Due to the replusive nature of like charges, a limited number of ele ctrons
may 'fit' into energy level volume. Due to the increase in volume as we move away fro m
the nucleus, increaing numbers of electrons will 'fit'. Hence the 2,8,18,32 maximum size.

As the name implies, each energy level has a defined value of energy. Therefore the
energy BETWEEN levels is also defined. It is the change in energy between energy leve ls
you will investigate today using a number of tools.

Finally, as we discuss in class, the energy released from the movement of the ele ctron
is released as photons. The energy of the photon changes depending on the distance the
electron falls towards the nucleus. The greater the fall, the greater the energy of the
photon. You may refer to this diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum to compare and
contrast the energy, wavelengths and frequencies produced as electrons 'fall'.

Or here:
C alculating energy from wavelength:

We need a mathmatical equation containing wavelength and energy of light: [this equation
works for any wave, even water]

equation 1: velocity [v] = frequency [ν] x wavelength [λ]

equation 2: energyph oton [E] = planck's constant [h] x frequency [ν]

rearrange equation 1 and substitute into equation 2: [we'll do this together]

therefore: Eph oton = h x v / λ

Also,

Atoms have the ability to absorb energy. The energy absorbed is used to 'excite' an
electron from its 'ground' state, its original energy level, to an excited state, a higher
energy level. When the electron returns to its original orbital the excess energy is released
as a photon of light. We can calculate the energy of a photon if we know the ground a nd
excited energy levels.

Ex: If an electron is excited from n = 2 [2 nd level] to n = 4 [4 th energy level] then Eph oton is:

ΔE = -R [ 1/nf2 - 1/ni2 ] therefore: ΔE = -2.18 x 10 -18 J [1/4 2 - 1/2 2 ]

where = -2.18 x 10 -18 J [1/16 - 1/4]
= -2.18 x 10 -18 J [1/16 -4/16]
= -2.18 x 10 -18 J [-3/16]
= 4.09 x 10 -19 J [the positive value
means absorbed!]

R = -2.18 x 10 -18 J
nf = final energy level
ni = initial energy level

Also, to understand how a spectroscope works, think of a how a prism seperates the
colours of light. This process is called diffraction. The prism diffracts the light. Here is an
image of how a spectroscope works. Note the grating causes the diffraction of the light
instead of a prism.
Objectives/Aim:

1. understand the relationship between energy, wavelength and frequency of photons

[background information]
2. understand and explain the formation of an emission or absorption spectrum
3. understand and explain how the absorption and/or emission spectrum can be used to
identify a substance

Tasks: Including questions for analysis

Note: This is not an experiment in the sense that we are manipulting variables. We will be
using both online applets and observing salt emission spectrums using a spectroscope.

Task 1 : Background Research Information:

1. Draw a wave showing a continuous increase [or decrease] in wavelength [or

freqency] and label the part of the wave which is most energetic and least energetic
2. Organize the following in proper order using either: wavelength, frequency or
energy:
cosmic, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, radio, gamma,
3. Compare and contrast between a blue coloured and red coloured photon with
respect to energy, frequency and wavelength.
4. Differentiate between an emission spectrum and an absorption spectrum. Give at
least one example of how each might be used by science,

Task 2: Flame tests

This task will require you to use the spectroscopes to view the emission spectrum of
dissolved salts.
In groups, we will light the alcohol and as the solution temperatutre increases the salt's
metal ion will produce an emission spectrum.

1. Draw a simple diagram of the emission spectrum visible for each salt including the
approximate wavelength.
2. Compare your drawn spectrum for the salt to the actual spectrum using the website:
http://webmineral.com/help/FlameTest.shtml
3. If your drawing is different, explain why you think your drawing of the spectrum may
be differrent.
4. At the station for the unknown, you are to attempt to determine what the unknown
salt is. Predict the unknown salt using the other salt data already collected to guide
you.Explain your reason for your prediction.
Task 3: C alculations

Use the following website to determine the effects of changes in electron position around
a nucleus. Simply play with the applet while recording inital [ni] and final energy level [nf]
and the resulting photon produced.

1. Describe the change in photons with respect to energy, wavelength and frequency as
the distance between the return to ground state changes.
2. Describe the location of the light emitted if the return to ground state is too large to
be visible. State what this light is called.
3. Describe the location of the light emitted if the return to ground state is too small to
be visible. State what this light is called. What are the names of the infrared and
ultraviolet series?
4. The hydrogen spectrum contains four lines visible to the human eye. Verify the energy
level changes an electron needs to undergo to produce these photons.

Use the formula below

ΔE= v x h / λ [need to rearrange it!!]

ΔE = -R(1/ni 2 - 1/nf 2 ) where R is the Rydberg constant = 2.18 x 10 -18
use this diagram to determine the name of the visible series of the hydrogen
spectrum

Additional resource tutorials:

A tutorial from wwNorton books. Light emission and absorption

You may find this algorithm helpful. Be aware that it WILL NOT be given on a
test. The constants will be but not how to use them.
Ni = initial energy level
Nf = final energy level
R = Rydberg constant
energy represents change in energy.
v = speed of light [usually represented by 'c']
h = planck's constant -6.6 x 10 -34 J/s