7B10.10 Line Spectra and Student Gratings

PURPOSE: To demonstrate spectra to students

DESCRIPTION: Discharge tubes containing various gases are excited and the resulting light is viewed through individual gratings.

SETUP TIME: Medium

COMPONENT LIST:

    


  1. Student Gratings          In box marked "Gratings" in the Optics Cabinet


  2. Spectral Tubes and Power Supplies          In Cabinet next to Optics Cabinet on far wall.

SUGGESTIONS: IMHO, a nice way to do this demonstration is to have a few discharge tubes lined up - turn on one at a time and allow students to view discrete spectra with their hand-held gratings. Then turn on a white-light (straight filament) bulb and students will view a continuous spectra!

REFERENCES: PIRA 7B10.10

OTHER NOTES: We want to keep as many of these gratings as possible! However we realize that every time this demonstration is done, a few gratings will "walk off". Never give out all of our student gratings, and please try to collect as many gratings as possible at the end of this demonstration. Thank you!