Group 4: Nico Banaag, EJ Fria, Johanssen Lanceras, Nathalie Palpal-latoc, Chris Tuazon

EXERCISE 3: HYDROGEN ATOM

Abstract

In this experiment, the wavelengths of spectral lines were determined using Balmer series,
the value of Rydberg constant was determined experimentally, the energy levels of hydrogen atom
were computed and plotted through graph and the Balmer equation was derived graphically. This
was all done to investigate the transition energies in hydrogen atom.

Spectral lines for hydrogen atom were observed using discharge tube set-up and
spectrophotometer. The hydrogen tube was placed into discharge set-up then 10,000 V was applied
to it which caused it glow. The emission spectrum was viewed through the eyepiece of the
spectrophotometer which spectral lines can be observed. The wavelengths obtained were 660 nm,
520 nm, 480 nm and 420 nm. This can be used to calculate the Rydberg constant and Balmer
equation can be derived from it. Through linear regression analysis, the value of Rydberg constant
obtained was 0.9674362074x107 m-1 which was 11.81% lower than that of the theoretical value of
Rydberg constant which was 1.097x107 m-1.

For the hydrogen atom, four transitions resulted to the colors observed in the line
spectrum. These transitions caused the emission of specific wavelengths. Although hydrogen has
only one electron, it contains many energy levels. When its electron jumps from higher energy level
to a lower one, it releases a photon. Those photons cause different colors of light of different
wavelengths due to the different levels. Those photons appear as lines. For this reason, though
hydrogen has only one electron, more than one emission line is observed in its spectrum.

Ideally, the spectra would give a sharp line on a specific wavelength. However, instead of
sharp line, band of color was observed due to the fact that energy levels are not infinitely sharp or
the atoms are moving relative to the observer. One should also consider that some atoms are
temperature dependent and excited levels of atoms have finite lifetime. Using high precision
equipment would not solve this problem because of broadening due to uncertainty principle which
is called natural linewidth.

Some possible sources of error in the experiment are inaccuracy in reading the approximate
wavelength in the viewing screen and the light coming from external surrounding in the room
where the experiment was done. Thus, it is necessary to perform the experiment in dark room to
prevent the presence of stray light. Presence of light other than the one emitted by hydrogen would
introduce wavelengths that are not meant for hydrogen thus results to an error in the experiment.

Bohrs model of atom is a good model of hydrogen; however, Bohr was not successful to
apply the model to larger atoms. His model would only work for hydrogen-like atoms, that is, only
one electron. His model could also not explain why the intensity of spectra lines was not equal
which suggests that some transitions are favored more than others.