Spectroscope (James Rice)

Author

James Rice, Northridge Academy High School, CSUN

Sensor / Probe

A simple spectroscope, when paired with a smartphone's photo or video capability, can actually work as a fairly powerful visible light spectrometer.

Sample Investigation

The spectroscope can be used for investigating the emission spectra from emission spectrum tubes, particularly for calibration, and can then be used to investigate the spectra from chloride salts heated in a Bunsen burner as in classical flame tests.

This Argument-Driven Inquiry lab gives a fuller glimpse into a possible application for this spectroscope-smartphone combination.

Sample Data & Analysis and Interpretation

From the sample data taken here, where the spectroscope was pointed at fluorescent bulbs in my classroom, there appear to be five primary spectral lines, which agrees fairly well with the accepted lines for mercury, the primary gas in most fluorescent light bulbs.

Making my own interpretation of the spectral lines versus the accepted lines:

While the spectroscopes aren't perfect, using a few diferent standard emission sources should allow for calibration.

Photos

Movies