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

Educational Standard

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Subject

Physics

Section

Core

Topic

7. Atomic, nuclear and particle physics