How does a DIY spectroscope work?

A spectroscope, or spectrometer, splits light into the wavelengths that make it up. Early spectroscopes used prisms that split the light by refraction—bending the light waves as they passed through glass.

What is a spectroscope lab?

Spectroscopes are inexpensive, hand-held, diffraction grating spectroscopes. They are great for use with spectrum tubes or when doing flame tests. The unit is housed in an unbreakable plastic case.

What is the purpose of the spectroscope lab?

Objective:To learn about the structure of an atom from the light it gives off, and to identify elements by their spectra. Background:The term spectroscopy means to learn about certain qualities of distant objects by the light they give off.

What are the three main components of a spectrophotometer?

A spectrophotometer consists of three primary components: a light source, optics to deliver and collect the light, and a detector.

How do you use a simple spectroscope?

To use your spectrometer, point the slit towards a light source and look through the viewing window at the top of the box. You will see bands of color reflected on your CD. Try pointing the slit at different light sources, and see what you notice about the bands of color.

What do you see through a spectroscope?

Pure white light, when viewed through a spectroscope, would reveal a spectrum that looked like one wide band, like a rainbow, encompassing all colors. These spectra usually consist of a few easily distinguished colors. Try looking at a few different bulbs to determine if their contents are the same or different.

What is a spectrograph and what does it do?

A spectrograph is an instrument that separates incoming light by its wavelength or frequency and records the resulting spectrum in some kind of multichannel detector, like a photographic plate. Many astronomical observations use telescopes as, essentially, spectrographs.

What do u mean by spectroscopy?

Spectroscopy, study of the absorption and emission of light and other radiation by matter, as related to the dependence of these processes on the wavelength of the radiation.

What is the heart of the spectroscope?

diffraction grating
The heart of the spectroscope — the component which breaks light into its component colors, is either a prism or a diffraction grating. Think of the diffraction grating as many small prisms on a thin sheet of plastic or glass; 500 or more rulings per inch. The CD is a good analogy to a diffraction grating.

What is the meaning of spectroscope?

: an instrument for forming and examining spectra especially in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

How to make your own spectroscope science project?

Try making your own spectroscope and turn any light in your house into a rainbow! Line the inside of the cardboard tube with black construction paper. Cut two circles out of the construction paper. Make them slightly bigger than the cardboard tube. In the middle of one of the circles, cut a square with sides about 1.5cm long.

How do you make a hole in a spectroscope?

Tape the diffraction grating over the square hole, and then tape the circle over one end of the cardboard tube with the diffraction grating on the inside. The center of the other circle needs to have a very narrow slit for light to enter through. Since cutting this can be difficult, just make a rectangular hole about 2.5cm long.

How do you make a spectroscope out of cardboard?

Cut two circles out of the construction paper. Make them slightly bigger than the cardboard tube. In the middle of one of the circles, cut a square with sides about 1.5cm long. Tape the diffraction grating over the square hole, and then tape the circle over one end of the cardboard tube with the diffraction grating on the inside.

How to make a rainbow with a spectroscope?

Insert the CD into your 45° angled slit with the shiny side facing up. Start by taking your spectroscope outside. Point the top slit up at the sky (NOT directly at the sun). Look through the peephole. You will see a rainbow inside! Now try your spectroscope with other light sources like fluorescent light, neon light and candle light.