Lecture 25: Measuring Light - Spectroscopy
Why does each chemical element have its own unique spectral-line\nsignature? How do emission- and absorption-line spectra work? This\nlecture is the second part of a two-part exploration of the interaction\nbetween matter and light, today discussing how the unique spectral-line\nsignatures of atoms are a reflection of their internal electron\nenergy-level structure. We will discuss energy level diagrams for\natoms, excitation, de-excitation, and ionization, and do a short\ndemonstration with gas-discharge tubes and slide-mounted diffraction\ngratings. For podcast listeners, the last portion of the class is the\ndemo, which we do not, unfortunately, have the resources to videotape.\nRecorded 2006 Oct 26 in 100 Stillman Hall on the Columbus campus of The\nOhio State University.