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Abstract Astronomers can determine the atomic composition of distant stars by measuring the spectrum of light emitted by the star. In this project you can do something similar by observing the color of flames when various chemicals are burned in an alcohol solution.Objective The goal of this project is to investigate the colors produced when different chemicals are burned. Introduction All matter is made of atoms. Atoms have a nucleus, consisting of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. The nucleus is concentrated in a very small space, about 10−15 m. An entire atom is on the order of 10−10 m, so the electrons are relatively far from the nucleus, and, strangely enough, atoms are mostly empty space. Physicists have found that the electrons traveling around the atomic nucleus can have only certain specified energy levels. In other words, the energy levels of atomic electrons are quantized. When provided with more energy, the electrons can move from one energy level to another, but these different energy levels are not continuous—they come in discrete steps. This fundamental discovery is known as quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics describes how an atom's electrons interact with electrons of other atoms and with photons. Atomic electrons at higher energy levels can also lose energy, dropping down to a lower energy level. Again, the electron moves from one allowed energy state to another. The lost energy can be carried away in the form of heat (vibrational energy) or in the form of light—when the electron reverts to a lower energy state, a photon of light is produced. The photon produced will have an energy equal to the difference between the electron's initial high energy state and the later lower-energy state. For visible light, we perceive these differences in photon energy as differences in the color of the light. In this project, you will use a procedure that is similar to flame photometry to observe the color of light produced when various chemical compounds are burned. You'll need an adult to help you with this experiment, and you will have to perform the experiment extremely carefully so that the flames stay small and under control. What colors will different chemicals produce? Terms, Concepts, and Questions to Start Background Research To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:
Questions
Bibliography
Materials and Equipment To do this experiment you will need the following materials and equipment:
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Safety Note: This experiment requires adult supervision. Avoid breathing combustion fumes from this experiment. We suggest performing the experiment in a place designed for burning things, like a fireplace, campfire ring, or barbeque pit. Make sure that there are no flammable materials nearby. Be prepared for an accident: have a suitable fire extinguisher on hand just in case, and make sure that you know how to use it! You'll get the best pictures of the flames if the background is dark, so we suggest trying to do the experiment at twilight. |
Variations
Credits
Andrew Olson, Ph.D., Science Buddies
Justin Spahn, Science Buddies
Sandra Slutz, Ph.D., Science Buddies
Sources
This project is based on an entry to the 2007 San Mateo County (California) science fair (author names not published).
Last edit date: 2010-10-06 13:45:00
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