Color and Spectra

The purpose of this experiment was to view the spectrum of colors found in white light through a filter to find the wavelength of different colors.

Equipment:
-Uncoated fluorescent lamp
-2 meter sticks
-Diffraction grating
-Hydrogen tubes

Part One:
In this part of the experiment we set up a 2 meter and a 1 meter stick orthogonal to each other in a "L" formation. The light source was place at the joint of the "L" and the diffraction grating was placed at the end of the 2 meter stick. The diffraction grating we used was 500 grooves per millimeter. One partner viewed through the diffraction grating to the light and another moved a pencil along the 1 meter stick until it reached the edge of the spectrum and recorded the distance from the light source. The same was done to find the end of the spectrum.

Data Analysis:

We recorded multiple measurements to find the standard deviation and a more accurate uncertainty.

We also found an experimental linear equation:

Part Two:
We did the same experiment as above, but we replaced the light source with a hydrogen gas tube. With the hydrogen gas tube we saw distinct lines.

Data Analysis:

 All of our values agreed within the accepted values of the wavelengths of violet, teal, yellow, and red light.