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X-Ray Spectroscopy and The Development of the Periodic Table

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Classroom Applications

When discussing subatomic particles, the word negligible has been thrown around. This lesson will show that electrons are anything but negligible. This is a three part lesson. The first part of the lesson focuses on how electrons are related to the atomic structure of elements through bright line spectra. The second part of the lesson explores the bright line spectra of hydrogen and the Bohr model of the atom to quantitatively measure the wavelength of the characteristic bright line specta. The third part of the lesson confirms the characteristic bright line spectra through the use of the flame test experiment. The same wavelength that is seen in the spectroscopy should be visible in the flame of the elements that are being tested. It should show the wavelength of potential energy released when the excited electron returns to the ground state.

Spectroscopy Lesson Plan:

[pdf]  [doc]

Student Data Sheet:

[pfd]  [doc]