Analyze emission spectra

Determine the wavelengths of light emitted from sources such as gas spectrum tubes.

Note

For a more detailed tutorial, see the sample Element identification from emission spectra experiment. Classroom ready experiments are also available in the PASCO Experiment Library.

Procedure

1. Insert the rectangular end of the Fiber Optic Cable into the cuvette holder.

2. Point the other end of the Fiber Optic Cable at a light source.

   Tip

   Place the probe as close to the source as possible without touching the source.

3. Connect the spectrometer to Spectrometry.

4. Select the Analyze Light page .

5. Click Record .

   Tip

   Click Auto Set under Integration Time if the data is too noisy.

6. Click Stop to end data collection and keep the displayed data.

7. Use the Coordinates tool to measure peak wavelengths.

Classroom-ready experiments

Planck's Constant

Students use a voltage sensor and an AC/DC electronics laboratory to measure the turn-on voltage of various colors of LEDs and then plot the turn-on voltage versus LED frequency to determine the value of Planck’s constant.