Break down light into spectra. Scholars learn how atoms emit and absorb photons and come to understand how this process allows scientists to identify different atoms based on either absorption lines or emission lines. Learners then complete a matching activity to match elements with their absorption spectrums.

Concepts

spectroscopy, light spectrum, atoms, photons, light, wavelength

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Get a gas tube and look at using a slide of diffraction grading
• Find color emission and absorption spectra to share with students

Classroom Considerations

• Assumes the class does not know anything about atoms

Pros

• Includes an answer key to the activity
• Provides a link to find out more information about a NASA Earth observation mission

Cons

• None