Lab 2 - Emission and Absorption

Purpose

• A
  To determine the identities of ions in two solutions of unknown composition by comparing the colors they produce in flame tests with colors produced by solutions of known composition.
• B
  To determine the relationship between the color of a solution and the absorption spectrum of the solution.

Goals

• 1
  To gain practice using a Bunsen burner.
• 2
  To observe flame test colors produced by ions in solution.
• 3
  To compare flame test colors produced by known ions in solution with those produced by unknown ions in solution.
• 4
  To use deductive reasoning to identify the unknown ions in a solution.
• 5
  To gain experience using a spectrophotometer.

Introduction

When many people hear the word radiation, their first thought is something radioactive. However, a scientist thinks about energy moving through space in a series of waves called electromagnetic (EM) radiation or radiant energy. We are surrounded by electromagnetic radiation. Natural sources of radiation from the sun, radioactive decay, and even the luminous glow from fireflies contribute to the electromagnetic radiation around us. Artificial sources such as radio and television, microwave radar detection systems, telephone signals, light bulbs, and medical equipment are also contributors. We have learned a great deal about nature and the structure of the atom by monitoring radiation with microscopes, telescopes, and other scientific equipment. The continuum of this radiation is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. It includes gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves. Human vision is limited to the very narrow band of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation can be described as a wave characterized by two inter-dependent variables:

• frequency, ν (nu), is the number of waves passing a certain point per second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz). 1 Hz = 1 cycle/sec.
• wavelength, λ (lambda), is the distance between a point on one wave and the corresponding point on the next wave. Wavelength is measured in units of length, which are convenient for the type of radiation being considered. Radio waves are measured in meters (m). Visible and ultraviolet light are measured in nanometers. 1 nm = 10^–9 m.

The product of these two variables is the distance the wave travels in a second and is a constant known as the speed of light, c.

( 1a )

c = λν = 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s 

Thus, electromagnetic radiation with a high (large) frequency has a short (small) wavelength and vice versa. Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional, as shown in the rearrangements of Equation 1a

c = λν = 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s 

below:

( 1b )

c

λ

= ν 

( 1c )

c

ν

= λ 

A third variable in the wave is the amplitude, the intensity of the radiation; for visible light, this is perceived as brightness. Therefore, if we look at a given shade of blue, it will always have the same frequency and wavelength, but can be of different amplitudes. Another descriptor for radiation is chromaticity. Light can be monochromatic (a single wavelength) or polychromatic (many wavelengths such as white light). Light can also be described in terms of bundles of energy called photons. Each photon has an energy, E, proportional to its frequency:

( 2 )

E = hν 

In this equation, h is Planck's constant, 6.626 × 10^–34 J · s. If all of the colors in the visible spectrum are mixed, the result appears as white light. When a material appears colored, you are selectively seeing some wavelengths (or frequencies or energies) and not others. Colors can arise from two different, but closely related, processes that can be understood at the atomic and molecular level. These processes are absorption and emission. Electrons in atoms, molecules, and ions ordinarily occupy the lowest energy orbitals that are available to them. This lowest energy configuration is called the ground state. However, when the atom, molecule, or ion absorbs energy, one of its electrons can be promoted from a low energy orbital into a higher energy orbital and produce what is called an excited state. Atoms, molecules, and ions can absorb or emit energy in the form of heat, electricity, or light. During absorption, an electron is promoted from the ground to the excited state. During emission, an electron goes from the excited to the ground state. When white light shines on a colored substance, some of the wavelengths that make up white light (colors) are absorbed. The remaining wavelengths, or colors, are reflected back from the colored substance or transmitted through it. Our eyes interact with the reflected or transmitted rays and produce our perception of the color of the substance. Consequently, the characteristic color of a material is not the color of light that it absorbs; it is the mixture of the reflected or transmitted colors. For example, if an object absorbs all visible wavelengths but red, red is reflected or transmitted, and we perceive the object as red. The color we see is the complementary color of that which was absorbed. Complementary colors are best shown on a color wheel, which is well known to art students. A simple color wheel is shown in Figure 2. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. For example, if red is absorbed and all other colors reflected, we may see the complementary color of red, which is green. It is interesting to note that the average human eye can see up to 4000 shades of red but only about 400 shades of blue. In fact, the science of color perception and its application in color matching technology for paints, inks, and dyes is a fascinating area of study. The light that is absorbed or transmitted can be quantified by measuring the absorption and transmission spectrum of a substance. A common instrument used for this purpose is a spectrophotometer, also called a colorimeter or spectrometer. Figure 3 below illustrates how a spectrophotometer functions. A spectrophotometer uses a light source to irradiate the solution with a chosen wavelength of light (I_o). After light passes through the solution, the amount of transmitted light (I) is measured. The transmittance (T) of the solution is the fraction of light that was transmitted or

I

Io

. 

The absorbance (A) is the light that is absorbed by the solution and is calculated by taking the negative log of the transmittance. Absorbance is, therefore, a value without units, calculated as shown in Equations 3a

A = −log(T) 

and 3b

A = −log

I

Io

 

. An absorption spectrum is often shown as a graphical plot of the amount of light absorbed versus wavelength.

( 3a )

A = −log(T) 

( 3b )

A = −log

I

Io

 

By viewing a transmittance spectrum, the colors that the sample transmits or reflects can be determined, similar to the function of the human eye. By viewing an absorbance spectrum, the color that absorbs can be determined. While a material's apparent color is most often the result of absorption of light, color can also arise from emission of light. Excited states formed from energy absorption are short-lived because the electron seeks the position of lowest potential energy and the system returns to its ground state. When that happens, the amount of energy absorbed in forming the excited state is released (emitted), usually in the form of heat or light. When the energy is emitted in the form of a photon in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, the material will appear to have color. In emission, the observed color is produced directly by the energy change; complementary colors are not involved. In a collection of atoms, molecules, or ions, many photons are emitted, and they may not all correspond to the same color. This is because not all of the atoms, molecules, or ions form the same excited state, and the paths used by different electrons to return to the ground state may not be the same. The emitted photons collectively result in the observed emission spectrum. The eye perceives this as light of a specific color, which is actually a blend of the emitted wavelengths. The spectrum or color is characteristic of the atom, molecule, or ion that emitted it and can be used to test for its presence. Exciting a material by placing it in a flame is a process known as a flame test. This simple approach is often useful in identifying materials. The emission spectra of gaseous elements can be observed by exciting the atoms in a gas filled tube with high voltage and viewing the light from the glowing gas with a spectroscope. The spectroscope separates the emitted light so that you can see the individual wavelengths that contribute to the visible color of the emission. The result is called a line spectrum. The component of the spectroscope that separates the light into its component wavelengths is usually a prism or diffraction grating and is often called a monochromator. In Part A of this experiment, you will perform flame tests on solutions containing various ions and visually evaluate the emission spectrum. When ionic solids are dissolved in water, they produce aqueous cations and anions. For example, adding solid MgBr₂ to water will produce ions according to the reaction below.

( 4 )

MgBr2 (s) →	Mg2+ (aq)	+	2 Br − (aq)
	cation		anion

 

Please consult your textbook for the typical charge of ions in this series of experiments. Then you will identify the ions in two solutions of unknown composition by performing flame tests and comparing the results with your observations on the solutions of known composition. In Part B, you will identify the wavelengths associated with the visible spectrum and also identify the wavelengths and colors that absorb for six common food dyes and indicators.

Equipment

Reagents

Safety

Read the procedure for operating a Bunsen burner in Lab Equipment. Know how to set it up, light it, and operate it safely. You will be working with hydrochloric acid, HCl (aq). This chemical is corrosive. If you spill it on a surface, wipe it up with paper towels and rinse with water, taking care not to touch the liquid. If you spill it on yourself, immediately rinse the area with plenty of water for 15 minutes. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with water for at least 15 minutes at the eyewash station and have someone notify the TA. The colored dye samples are in sealed vials which should not be opened. All the dyes except for Methyl Violet are currently in U.S. food sources. If you spill the vial contents on yourself, immediately rinse the area with plenty of water for 15 minutes. If a solution gets in your eyes, flush them with water for at least 15 minutes at the eyewash station and have someone notify the TA. Students will have access to gloves due to the use of 3M HCl during the lab period.

Waste Disposal

The flame test solutions used in this experiment and the HCl in the beaker can be disposed of down the sink followed by flushing with plenty of water. The vials containing dye solutions should be returned to their sample container. No disposal is necessary.

Prior to Class

Please read the following section in Lab Equipment:

• Bunsen Burner

Please review the following video:

• Bunsen Burner Lighting

Please complete your WebAssign prelab assignment. Check your WebAssign account for due dates. Students who do not complete the WebAssign prelab assignment are required to print and hand in the prelab worksheet

Part A Lab Procedure

Please print the worksheet for this lab. You will need this sheet to record your data.

Part B Lab Procedure

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