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7.1 Discrete energy and radioactivity

Experiments

Here are experiments our science specialists have selected to support the IB* topic.

Spectrum of Atomic Hydrogen

Experiment #21 from Advanced Physics with Vernier — Beyond Mechanics

In this experiment, you will

  • Use a spectrometer to determine the wavelengths of the emission lines in the visible spectrum of excited hydrogen gas.
  • Determine the energies of the photons corresponding to each of these wavelengths.
  • Use a modified version of Balmer’s equation to relate the photons’ energies to specific transitions between energy levels.
  • Use your data and the values for the electron transitions to determine a value for Rydberg’s constant for hydrogen.

Planck’s Constant

Experiment #22 from Advanced Physics with Vernier — Beyond Mechanics

In this experiment, you will

  • Collect and analyze current vs. potential data to estimate the energy required to excite a number of LEDs.
  • Use a spectrometer to determine the wavelength of the peak output of each LED.
  • Determine a value for Planck’s constant from an analysis of the energy and frequency of the light emitted by a number of LEDs.

Free Experiments

  • α, β, and γ
  • Lifetime Measurement

Download the free Nuclear Radiation with Vernier e-book

Our free e-book, Nuclear Radiation with Vernier, includes two experiments for this subtopic.

Educational Standard
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Subject
Physics
Section
Core
Topic
7. Atomic, nuclear and particle physics

* The IB Diploma Program is an official program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which authorizes schools to offer it. The material available here has been developed independently of the IBO and is not endorsed by it.

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