PhysicsLAB: Hydrogen Spectrum

Equipment: 1 hydrogen spectrum tube 1 transformer 2 1-meter sticks 1 2-meter stick 1 ring stand 1 test-tube clamp 1 c-clamp 1 diffraction grating 2 white index cards	grating statistics: 13400 lines per inch = 1.90 x 10^-6 meters/slit
Complete the following data table: distance (meters) from grating to 100 cm (10.00 dm) mark on meter stick ________

Refer to the following information for the next six questions.

After all of the data has been collected, and your preliminary calculations have been signed off by Mrs. Colwell, use the spreadsheet 1-spectrum.xls (in your period folder) to determine your experimental wavelengths and percent errors of the red, cyan, and violet lines in the Balmer's series of the hydrogen spectrum.

Immediately after opening the EXCEL file, resave it as LastnameLastnameLastnameSpectrum.xls. You are to only input values into the yellow cells - the blue cells have already been programmed for you. If your errors are large, see Mrs. Colwell about recollecting your data. Once you are satisfied with your results, type in the names of your group members and save your spreadsheet a final time. A printout of your file is required as part of your lab report.

What is the filename of your spreadsheet?

What was the average experimental value of your group's red wavelength (in nm)?

What was the average experimental value of your group's cyan wavelength (in nm)?

What was the average experimental value of your group's violet wavelength (in nm)?

Which wavelength had the greatest percent error?

State and explain a source of error that could account for your error.

Conclusions:

To confirm your understanding of this implementation of Young's Equation and energy level diagrams, complete and turn in the following essay as your conclusions.