Experiment 15: Color and Spectra

Purpose: To view the spectrum of colors found in white light and a hydrogen plasma tube in order to measure the wavelength of several different colors.
Equipment:

• Two meter sticks
• Metal clamps
• Flourescent lamp
• Hydrogen tube
• Diffraction grating

Experiment:

A diffraction grating was held infront of one of the student's eyes.

The student was then positioned ~1 meter stick away from the light source(flourescent lamp).

A rainbow appeared to the left of the viewer.

The distance of each color was then measured and recorded.
In addition to the spectrum of white light, a hydrogen plama light source was used.
This member created narrow distinct lines, as they appear in the picture bellow..



 The distances of the different wavelengths were then measured for this light source.

Data Analysis:
Using the geometric relationship of the wavelenght distance on the set right angle with the two meter sticks, the wavelengths were solved for

Conclusion:

The three different bands of light corresponding to violet, teal and red have acceptable values within their uncertainty.

All the calculated values for different wavelengths agreed within a 1% error of the theoretical values.