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Hydrogen Spectrum & Energy Levels
BlackBoard Notes

• Calculate expected λ's for visible lines of Hydrogen.
• Measure λ's and identify transitions producing the visible lines.

1. Wavelength of H lines:
   • Measure (average) θ for each line.
   • Calibrate spectrometer by observing yellow line of sodium (λ_Na = 589.3 nm).
   •     Solve for λ_H (each color!)

2. Energy level diagram (make it large!!):

3. Identify transitions that produce each line.

Spectrometer Alignment Notes:

• Don't let the spectrometer tube touch the H-bulb. Keep ~1 inch separation.
• Move front of spectrometer left and right so zeroth order image is pink, not pink and blue!

  

• Rotate eyepiece to align crosshair parallel to spectral line.

  

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©	St. Lawrence University	Department of Physics

Revised: 01 Jun 09

Canton, NY 13617