A hand-held spectroscope contains a diffractions grating that separates
electromagnetic radiation into its component wavelengths. The spectroscope
can observe either absorption or emission of spectra.
White light, one type of electromagnetic energy, is composed of all colors of
visible light. When a substance or solution absorbs some wavelengths of white
light, the substance or solution has color. The spectroscope can be used to
investigate which wavelengths of light a sample is absorbing.
An atom can be excited from a lower energy level to a higher energy level by
acquiring energy from an electrical discharge. When the atom moves back to a
lower energy level, it emits energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
Since an atom has a specific set of energy levels, exact amounts of energy
are released when atoms fall to lower energy levels. When the wavelengths of
emitted light are separated using a spectroscope, lines may be seen in the
visible region of light that corresponds to these transitions.
As always, safety glasses should be worn. The glasses will provide protection
for your eyes from UV light that emanates from the discharge tubes.
A hand-held spectroscope.
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