Spectroscopy

Observe the diffraction process with differrent light sources. Understand how scientists identify elements by the light waves they produce.

Important Dates

Registration Opens:
Wednesday, June 01, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.

Registration Closes:
Monday, April 23, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.

Program Starts:
Monday, September 12, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.

Program Ends:
Friday, June 29, 2012, at 3:00 p.m.

Contact Information

For more information about this program, contact:

Menzel Smith-Jones
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Bldg.400C – P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
631-344-4495 (phone)
631-344-7098 (fax)
slc@bnl.gov

Students will explore the refraction property of light as they use diffraction gratings, the same tool inside scientific spectroscopes, to view different light sources. Through observation and experimentation students will discover that each element produces a unique spectrum. They will develop an understanding of how scientists use light waves to identify elements.

Vocabulary

electromagnetic spectrum, visible spectrum, prism, refract, reflect, incandescent, fluorescent, diffraction grating

Audience for This Program

Grades 4th, 5th, and 6th Grades

Program Benefits

Lesson Objectives

1) Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of light; particularly that white light can be separated into a visible spectrum.

2) Observe that different colors of light have different wavelengths.

3) Use spectroscopes to view the unique spectrums of different elements.