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N2-22. Prismatic Spectrum Of Sodium

Purpose

Show the spectrum of sodium, but does not resolve the yellow doublet.

Equipment

Low-pressure sodium source, 10cm focal length cylindrical convex lens, slit, 20cm focal length spherical convexlens, and flint glass equilateral prism.◙

Suggestions

Does NOT resolve the yellow doublet.◙

Setup Time

5 mins.

Images

n2-22

Description

The low-pressure sodium lamp produces a line spectrum containing a bright yellow line (the unresolved doublet) as well as several other faint red and green lines. Light from the source passes through a condenser lens and iris and is focused onto a slit by a 10 cm focal length cylindrical convex lens. A 20 cm focal length spherical convex lens focuses the slit onto a distant screen, with the flint glass prism placed in the light just after the spherical lens.