Description
Why does each chemical element have its own unique spectral-line
signature? How do emission- and absorption-line spectra work? This
lecture is the second part of a two-part exploration of the interaction
between matter and light, today discussing how the unique spectral-line
signatures of atoms are a reflection of their internal electron
energy-level structure. We will discuss energy level diagrams for
atoms, excitation, de-excitation, and ionization, and do a short
demonstration with gas-discharge tubes and slide-mounted diffraction
gratings. For podcast listeners, the last portion of the class is the
demo, which we do not, unfortunately, have the resources to videotape.
Recorded 2006 Oct 26 in 100 Stillman Hall on the Columbus campus of The
Ohio State University.
A new podcast, Astronomy 141, Life in the Universe, is available
for those interested in continuing an exploration of topics in
modern astronomy.
Published 12/06/09
Are there planets around other stars? Are there Earth-like planets
around other stars? Do any of those harbor life? Intelligent life?
We'd like to know the answers to all of these questions, and in recent
years we've made great progress towards at least answering the first.
To date, more...
Published 12/01/06