This lesson guides students to build a spectroscope, use it as tool, and interpret their observations by applying concepts of conservation of energy and properties of matter.Students will observe all three kinds of spectra: continuous, emission, and absorption.

What Students Do

Students make a spetroscope out of common classroom materials and a transmission grating. The spectroscope includes an adjustable slit that students make out of index cards.

Materials You Will Need

Whole Class

• Incandescent light bulb (60-100 watt frosted) and base.
• Optional: String of clear holiday lights.
• Fluorescent light (single bulb).
• Transmission grating slides (35mm slide).
• Manila folders
• Black construction paper (9 x 11 inches)
• Optional: Glo-Doodler (by Colorforms) -- a toy writing tablet with a hot pink plastic sheet that "glows" when you write on it. It also strongly absorbs green light and emits yellow, orange and red.

Per Spectroscope

• Half of a manila folder: cut a whole manila folder along the fold to produce two 8 x 11 sheets.
• 1 sheet of black construction paper.
• 2 small (20 mm or 3/4 inch) binder clips.
• 2 index cards (3 by 5 inch size) to make the adjustable slit.
• Clear tape and 2 rubber bands.
• 1 Transmission grating slide (35mm slide).