How Were Emission Lines Observed in Different Spectra Ranges?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jonlg_uk
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Series
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the methods used by scientists Lyman and Paschen to observe emission lines in the ultraviolet and infrared spectra, respectively. Participants explore historical experimental setups and the types of detectors that may have been employed in these observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about how Lyman and Paschen observed emission lines in the ultraviolet and infrared spectra, respectively, and seeks details on their experimental setups.
  • Another participant emphasizes that modern detection methods differ from historical ones, referencing the use of machines to interpret data, such as x-rays.
  • A participant expresses a desire to understand the historical context and methods used by Lyman and Paschen, specifically asking about their experimental setups.
  • One suggestion is that photographic plates could have been used as detectors, with assumptions about the sensitivity of emulsions to various wavelengths, including infrared and ultraviolet.
  • A similar viewpoint is reiterated regarding the use of photographic emulsions, with speculation about the relationship between silver content and the frequency of light detected.
  • A participant expresses a desire for confirmation of the assumptions regarding photographic emulsions and their sensitivity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of Lyman and Paschen's experimental setups, and multiple viewpoints regarding the methods and detectors remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions about the capabilities of historical photographic emulsions and their sensitivity to different wavelengths, which are not fully substantiated in the discussion.

jonlg_uk
Messages
141
Reaction score
0
If the Balmer series describes the emission lines produced when hydron atoms are electrically excited when subjected to visible light, the eye can visibly see these lines. How did Lyman do do for the ultraviolet spectrum, how did he observe emission lines for the ultraviolet spectrum and how did paschen do it for the infrared spectrum?
 
Science news on Phys.org
Scientists use other instruments to measure quantities besides the human eye, you know! How do you think doctors read x-rays? With super-powers? No, a machine does it for them, then creates an image for the doctor to see. The image is a visible light representation of the x-rays
 
Mazerakham said:
Scientists use other instruments to measure quantities besides the human eye, you know! How do you think doctors read x-rays? With super-powers? No, a machine does it for them, then creates an image for the doctor to see. The image is a visible light representation of the x-rays


I know that!...I want to know how they did it back then. How did Lyman and Paschen do it and what was there experimental setup.
 
One type of detector could be photographic plates.I'm assuming that back in the day of Lyman and Paschen there were photographic emulsions sensitive to I.R as well as to light and emulsions sensitive to U.V, X rays and gamma rays.I think the higher the frequency to be detected the greater the silver content in the emulsion.
 
Last edited:
Dadface said:
One type of detector could be photographic plates.I'm assuming that back in the day of Lyman and Paschen there were photographic emulsions sensitive to I.R as well as to light and emulsions sensitive to U.V, X rays and gamma rays.I think the higher the frequency to be detected the greater the silver content in the emulsion.

I too was thinking something like this. It would be great if someone could confirm it.
 

Similar threads

High School General question about series limits and strong lines of the emissions spectrum
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Observing Emission Spectra from Computer Screens
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Formation of emission lines and other topics
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Assumptions for blackbody spectra vs. emission spectra vs. absorption spectra
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Undergrad Only certain emission lines show up in absorption spectrum
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad Emission Spectrum & Energy: Exciting Hydrogen Vapor
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Understanding Gunn-Peterson through the Reionization epoch
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Undergrad Continuous Spectrum and Energy levels of Electrons (Energy Bands)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Hydrogen Emission Spectrum and Electron Energy Levels
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate How do different materials interact with light?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K