Electromagnetic Spectrum and Space Objectives Identify different wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum. Discuss electromagnetic waves and the information they provide about the components of the universe. Essential Questions What is the electromagnetic spectrum? What information do different frequencies reveal about the components of the universe?

Electromagnetic Spectrum Go to page 309-310 in the ScienceSaurus Student Handbook Read the paragraph on the “Electromagnetic Spectrum” Think about the colors that exist in the visible light spectrum. Glue the “Seeing Part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum” sheet on your notebook paper.

SPECTROSCOPES Scientists use tools to help them understand the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets.  A major tool used to gather information about these objects is called a spectroscope.         Spectroscopy is a technique used to help scientists determine the composition of objects made up of hot gases (like stars) and cool gases (like planetary atmospheres).  Spectroscopes are used to analyze the amounts and types of light that comes from these objects.       Spectroscopes break down the light emitted or absorbed by chemical elements into specific lines of color.  Every chemical element has a "fingerprint" of its own that can be used to identify it.  These fingerprints are generally produced when electrons change levels as they gain or lose energy.  Different energies produce different colored lines.

Spectroscope Activity Procedures: Obtain a Spectroscope from your teacher View the Incandescent Light Bulb, record your observations and then make some inferences View the Florescent Light, record your observations and then make some inferences. Compare your observations and inferences. Use your comparisons to make an “I think…” Statement

Spectroscope Activity Compare and contrast the observations you made using the spectroscope.

Spectroscope Activity The light that we see with our eyes is called the VISIBLE LIGHT SPECTRUM. It makes a small portion of all the light around us. http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM130W/10-ModernAtom/Spectra/SpectroscopeAndLights.jpg

Spectroscope Activity Human eyes can not distinguish between all of the colors of the visible spectrum A PRISM are used to separate the colors in visible light so human eyes can see them. Your SPECTROSCOPE is a PRISM.

Spectroscope Activity Every element emits different colors in the visible light spectrum. We can use a spectroscope to see what colors each element emits.

Spectroscope Activity Let’s look at what you observed Bulb: No Mercury Florescent Light: Contains Mercury

Every chemical element on the periodic table has its own spectral fingerprint that identifies it.  When looking at spectra from objects like stars and planetary atmospheres, it is easy to identify the chemical elements present by matching the colored spectral lines with the elements spectral fingerprint.

Use your periodic table! Which element below has more electrons? Which element has the most electrons? What RELATIONSHIP do electrons have to the color that the elements give off Hydrogen Helium Mercury Uranium Remind students to use their periodic table to determine the number of electrons of each element.

Spectroscope Activity How can Scientists use this information to find out about stars in the Universe?

Spectroscope Activity What other kinds of electromagnetic wavelengths are around us. Make observations of the electromagnetic spectrum with your group.

Electromagnetic Spectrum http://www.chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/@api/deki/files/4999/=675px-EM_Spectrum_Properties_edit.svg.png