This online resource provides students background content that explores the relationship between atomic structure and light energy.

This online resource provides students background content that explores the relationship between atomic structure and light energy.

Students will calculate the energy differences in different energy states of the Bohr atom of Hydrogen. They will then compare these energy levels with observed Hydrogen lines in a laboratory spectrum.

Students review the basic characteristics of waves and recognize visible light as part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will also model electon energy levels and identify elements based on flame color.

Students will: view the spectra of various elements with and without a spectroscope; understand that the color and spectral lines are determined by the electron configuration of each element; understand that the electrons emit photons after being energized in some way and that these photons are detected as visible light; view the colors emitted by various metallic salts as they are put into a bunsen burner flame; identify two unknown compounds containing some of these metals.

In this activity, students use a piano keyboard to model spectral lines as musical chords. It is designed to aid student understanding of spectral analysis, what the patterns mean, how elements are involved, and how this relates to stars. Traditionally, spectral images are two dimensional, and related to text. This auditory activity allows students to "hear" differences in patterns of various elements (e.g., nickel or helium). This activity is part of the "What is Your Cosmic Connection to the Elements" information and activity booklet. The booklet includes photos, teachers notes and instructions, and a link to a color image pdf of visible light spectra that can be printed and used to do the activity. This activity requires a piano keyboard, color printout or construction paper and/or toothpicks (to mark spectral lines of elements).

In this lesson, students will describe Bohr's model of the atom as well as calculate wavelength, frequency, or the velocity of a wave using the wave equation. Students will also use emission spectroscopy to illustrate the change in energy levels between orbitals.

In this lesson, students will describe the location of the electron using quantum numbers, electron distribution, and orbital notation.

In this lab activity, students will use the flame test to visually determine the identity of an unknown metal or metalloid ion based on the characteristic color the salt turns the flame of a bunsen burner. The emission spectra can be used to differentiate between some elements.

Students will observe visible spectra of known elements and identify an unknown element or combination of elements by visible spectra.