Experiment # 02

Spectrometer
Spectroscopy:-
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation.
Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its
wavelength, by a prism.

Spectrum:-
A band of colors, as seen in a rainbow, produced by separation of the components of light by
their different degrees of refraction according to wavelength

Types of spectrum:-
Electromagnetic spectrum:-
The entire distribution of electromagnetic radiation according to frequency or wavelength,
although all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, they do so at a wide
range of frequencies, wavelengths, and photon energies.

(www.britannica.com › science › electromagnetic-spectrum)

Uses:-
Nearly all frequencies and wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation can be used for
spectroscopy. Radio waves, infrared rays, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma
rays are all types of electromagnetic radiation. Radio waves have the longest wavelength,
and gamma rays have the shortest wavelength.
Mass spectrum;-

Mass spectrum is intensity vs. m/z (mass-to-charge ratio) plot representing a chemical analysis.
Hence, the mass spectrum of a sample is a pattern representing the distribution of ions
by mass (more correctly: mass-to-charge ratio) in a sample.
Uses:-
A mass spectrum is a plot of the ion signal as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio.
These spectra are used to determine the elemental or isotopic signature of a sample, the masses
of particles and of molecules, and to elucidate the chemical identity or structure of molecules and
other chemical compounds.

Energy spectrum:-
An arrangement of particle energies (as of alpha particles or photoelectrons) in a heterogeneous
beam that is analogous to the arrangement of frequencies in an optical spectrum

(www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › energy spectrum)

Uses:-
In physics, the energy spectrum of a particle is the number of particles or intensity of a particle
beam as a function of particle energy. Examples of techniques that produce an energy
spectrum are alpha-particle spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and mass-analyzed
ion-kinetic-energy spectrometry.

Discrete spectrum
Classical example of discrete spectrum (for which the term was first used) is the characteristic
set of discrete spectral lines seen in the emission spectrum and absorption spectrum of isolated
atoms of a chemical element, which only absorb and emit light at particular wavelengths.

Uses:-
In classical mechanics, discrete spectra are often associated to waves and oscillations in a
bounded object or domain and the stridulating organs of crickets, whose spectrum shows a
series of strong lines at frequencies that are integer multiples (harmonics) of the oscillation
frequency.
(en.wikipedia.org › wiki › discrete spectrum)

Spectrogram:-
A spectrogram is a visual way of representing the signal strength, or “loudness”, of a signal over
time at various frequencies present in a particular waveform. Not only can one see whether there
is more or less energy at, for example, 2 Hz vs. 10 Hz, but one can also see how energy levels
vary over time.
Uses: -
Spectrograms can be used to analyze the results of passing a test signal through a signal
processor such as a filter in order to check its performance (en.wikipedia.org › wiki ›
Spectrogram)
Spectrometer:-
A spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to separate and measure spectral components of a
physical phenomenon. Spectrometer is a broad term often used to describe instruments that
measure a continuous variable of a phenomenon where the spectral components are somehow
mixed.
(en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Spectrometer)

Historical back ground of spectrometer:-

The invention of spectrometers and the science of spectroscopy go back to very ancient time.
Each invention added more knowledge about the nature of light and mass and its interaction.
Sir Isaac Newton invented a simple spectrometer when he used a prism to disperse white light
into its constituent colors in the late 1600s.In 1801 British scientists William Wall-stone
investigated the dark lines In the solar spectrum that suggested the absence of certain spectra of
light. Germen physicist Gustav Kirchhoff was able to show the purified substances display the
unique light spectra in 1859.

Working principle:-
Concentration measurements are usually determined from a working curve after calibrating the
instrument with standers of known concentration. Atomic absorption spectroscopy can be used to
analyze the concentration of over 62 different metals in a solution.

Apparatus:-
Collimator, Telescope, Turn table (stage) and Prism.

Fig:-
 How to set the apparatus:- 
 Focus Telescope on distant object.
 When focus is correct, start button is activated. Then click Start button.
 Switch on the light by clicking Switch on Light button.
 Focus the slit using Slit focus slider.
 Adjust the slit width using Slit width slider.
 Slit Coincides with cross wire in the telescope. 

To determine the angle of the Prism:

  Procedure:

1. Prism table is rotated in which the sharp edge of the prism is facing towards the
collimator.
2. Rotate the telescope in one direction up to which the reflected ray is shown through the
telescope.
3. Note corresponding main scale and vernier scale reading in both vernier (vernier I and
vernier II).
4. Rotate the telescope in opposite direction to view the reflected image of the collimator
from the second face of prism.
5. Note corresponding main scale and vernier scale reading in both vernier (vernier I and
vernier II).
6. Find the difference between two readings, i.e.
7. Angle of prism, A=θ/2

Reference:-
(Angle of the prism using Spectrometer (Procedure): Optics Virtual Lab: Physical
Sciences: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Virtual Lab)
Readings:-
ө
Vernier Reading focused on Reading focused on
Ө=ө1-ө 2 A= 2
Left side( ө)
1 Right side( ө)
2

V1 33°6ʹ 272°5ʹ 121°1ʹ 60°31ʹ

V2 213°2ʹ 92°4ʹ 120°58ʹ 60°29ʹ

Mean:-
60°5ʹ (answer is between 59_61 degree)

To determine minimum angle of deviation of prism

1. Keep prism such as light from collimator incident at (20°_25°)

2. Start from left side and remove prism take reading V1 and V2.

Verniers Telescope reading A Direct reading B Dm=A-B Mean:-

V1 40°9ʹ 349°6ʹ 51°3ʹ

V2 220°3ʹ 169°5ʹ 51°58ʹ 51°34ʹ

Applications:-
 Detection of concentration of substances
 Detection of impurities
 Structure elucidation of organic compounds
 Monitoring dissolved oxygen content in freshwater and marine ecosystems
 Characterization of proteins
 Detection of functional groups
 Respiratory gas analysis in hospitals
 Molecular weight determination of compounds
 The visible and UV spectrophotometer may be used to identify classes of compounds in
both the pure state and in biological preparations.
 Interesting Application
1. Kaleidoscope:-

It is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces tilted to each other in an angle, so
that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of the mirrors are seen as a regular symmetrical
pattern when viewed from the other end, due to repeated reflection

Kaleidoscope Color Therapy provides the stage, the script, the lights and the music
for such a performance:
 Lowering right-brain emotional arousal.
 Clears and stills the mind.
 Develops mind and body awareness.
 Improves long-term memory.
 Decreases physical tension.
 Helps release endorphins and promotes positivity

2. Foldable paper cell phone spectrometer:-

Practical performed in presentation.