1

Lab 10 (Lab #40) Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen

Megan Wierzbowski
Partner Viktorija Grajevskaja
Due 07/28/2015
Lab 10 (Lab #40) Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen
Introduction:
In this experiment, we will observe the visible wavelengths of light emitted by hydrogen.
We will be measuring the line spacing of the grafting. We will also be looking at mercury lamps
to get the distance d to put into the equation of =d sin to confirm the Balmer series
equation. Helium, neon, argon, as well as white light are also going to be viewed using the
grafting plate.
Directing light through a prism creates a continuous spectrum of colors. Spectroscopy is
the study of position of the lines unique to element or molecule, and can help identify unknown
molecules. The wavelength of the light that makes the spectral lines for hydrogen can be
n2
described by the Balmer formula: =B 2 2 , with n being integer larger than 2 and B is a
n 2
-10
constant 3645.6 (1 = 10 m).

This schematic illustrates the allowed transitions of electrons in orbitals around a hydrogen nucleus. Ea

Procedure:
Apparatus - discharge lamp, bulbs containing and H, Hg, Na vapor, gratings, single filament
lamp, meter stick, stand
Part I Hydrogen Spectrum

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Lab 10 (Lab #40) Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen

eye
spectrum line
Figure 1. Geometry of the experiment.

lamp

meter stick

For part I, we set up the experiment as shown in figure 1. We placed a Hydrogen bulb
into a discharge lamp, and looked through a grating at the Hydrogen lamp. We measured L from
the discharge lamp to the grating, and measured x of all the wavelengths that we could see in the
Hydrogen spectrum. As a precaution, the bulb can get very hot so be careful when removing, as
well as it runs at a high voltage, so do not touch when the lamp is on. As another precaution, you
should make sure that the room is darkened enough so you could see the lines clear enough to
measure.
Part II Spectra from Other Sources
For part II, we set up the experiment just as in figure 1, but used a mercury lamp. The
mercury spectrum is more complicated. We measured d, the line spacing of grafting by finding
the angle at which a known wavelength appears. We used the formula =d sin . We knew
that the bright green line in mercury has wavelength of wavelength of 5461 and the bright
blue-violet line has a wavelength of 4358 .
Data/Calculations/Results
Part I:
Table 1 - Balmer Formula Theoretical
n
B (angstrom) B (meters)
Wavelength
(angstrom)
3
3645.6
3.6456E-07 6562.08
4
3645.6
3.6456E-07 4860.8

Wavelength
(nanometers)
656.2
486

Theoretical Color
red
blue-green

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Lab 10 (Lab #40) Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen
5
3645.6
3.6456E-07 4340
6
3645.6
3.6456E-07 4101.3
**all should correspond to visible light
2
n
Calculated from: =B 2 2
n 2

=3645.6

32
3222

434
410.13

blue-violet
violet

= 6562

= 656.2nm

Table 2 Experimental Results of Hydrogen

Color
L (cm)
x (cm)
red
28
12.5
blue28
8.5
green
blue28
7.5
violet
violet
28
**Not distinct enough to
measure
Part II:
Grating 600 lines/mm
dheoretical =
dexperimental =

width of grating
=
lines of grating

4 5 mm
=1.7 103 m m=1.7 104 c m
lines
600
45 mm
mm

sin

x
=
L
10 cm
tan 1
=19.65
28 cm
sin =sin 19.65=0.336

5461
=
=1.62 104 cm
dexperimental =
sin 0.336
tan

Table 2 Mercury bulb

Color Wavelength L
(Angstrom) (cm
)
brigh 5461
28
t
green
brigh 4358
28

x (cm)
10
7.5

(degrees
)
19.65
15

sin()

dexperimental ( )
dexperimental
(cm)

0.336
0.258

16252.97619
16832.75396

1.6252*10^-4
1.6832*10^-4

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Lab 10 (Lab #40) Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen
t
blueviolet

Percent Error
|theoreticalexperimental|
%Error=
100
theoretical
|1.7 104 cm1.6252 104 cm|

100=4.7
4
1.7 10 cm
For the other bulbs, these are the results:
White light broad bands of colors that are thick
Helium 7 distinct lines
Neon lots of red and yellow (also some green)
Argon blue, orange and red (but were very weak)
Part III
theoretical = Wavelength theoretical = Balmer series
experimental = (dtheoerical) sin

=B

n2
n222

(as seen in table 1)

(1.7 104 cm) sin

Table 3 Hydrogen Experimental Spectra

Color
L (cm)
x (cm)

sin

red
blue-green
blue-violet

24.057
16.89
15

0.408
0.291
0.259

28
28
28

12.5
8.5
7.5

Table 4 - Percent Error Calculation for Hydrogen Spectra

Theoretical
Experimental (nm) Percent
(nm)
Error (%)
656.2
693.6
5.69948186
5
486
494.7
1.79012345
7
434
440.3
1.45161290
3
|theoreticalexperimental|
%Error=
100
theoretical
Discussion:
Questions:
Part II:
1. How does your calculated d compare with the number marked on the grating?

wavel
(cm)
0.000
0.000
0.000

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Lab 10 (Lab #40) Atomic Spectrum of Hydrogen
a. Our calculated d was 1.62 104 cm as compared to our theoretical d that was
on the grating, 1.7 104 cm (600 lines/mm with the grate being 4.5cm).
There was a 4.7% error.
Part III:
2. Do your experimental results for agree with the theoretical values?
a. Yes they do. The Hydrogen lamp should have emitted wavelengths of 656.2nm,
486nm, and 434nm. Our calculated results were 693.6nm, 494.7nm, and
440.3nm, respectively. The percent errors can be seen in table 4.
3. What is the range of the visible spectrum for the Balmer series?
a. The range of the balmer series is seen in table 1, with colors red, blue-green, blueviolet, and violet.
4. A neon discharge lamp emits a bright reddish-orange color. Why then are all neon signs
NOT bright reddish-orange?
a. Because not every neon light has neon inside. It can just use different gasses
inside of the bulbs to emit different colors.
As a conclusion, this experiment worked very nicely, with percent errors all less than
around 5%, which is very acceptable. The Balmer series for Hydrogen was confirmed. The
spectra of different light bulbs with different gasses inside was also noted. The spectroscopy of
different molecules was seen.