Chemistry: Waves and Spectrum Exploration

Objectives

• Students will study the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and color.
• Students will calculate the energy of electromagnetic radiation using Planck’s Constant.
• Students will learn about the Balmer, Paschen, and Lyman Series.
• Students will calculate the energy change that an electron undergoes when changing energy levels using the Rhydberg Constant.

Vocabulary

• speed of light
• wavelength
• frequency
• electromagnetic radiation
• visible spectrum
• photons
• Planck’s Constant
• Balmer Series
• Paschen Series
• Lyman Series
• Rhydberg Constant

About the Lesson

This lesson involves the relationship between waves and electron energy jumps within the atom.
As a result, students will:

• Study the relationship between wavelength, frequency ,and color.
• Calculate wavelengths and frequencies.
• Calculate the energy of electromagnetic radiation using Planck’s Constant.
• Study the energy changes as electrons change energy levels in an atom.
• Learn about the Balmer, Paschen, and Lyman Series.
• Calculate the energy change that an electron undergoes when changing energy levels using the Rhydberg Constant.