Identifying an element from Emission Spectrum

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on identifying an element from emission spectrum data collected using a spectrometer with a diffraction grating. The user has calculated wavelengths for the first and second order lines of blue/violet, green, and orange colors but struggles to match these wavelengths to known emission spectra. They express frustration over the lack of clear correlation between their calculated wavelengths and existing lists, noting that many wavelengths fall within similar ranges. The user questions whether the spectrometer's resolution is inadequate for precise identification. Ultimately, they seek a straightforward method to correlate their measurements with established spectral data for accurate element identification.
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Using data collected from a spectrometer, with a diffraction grating of 100 lines/mm, I have collected a set of data. From this I have calculated wavelengths for the 1st and 2nd order lines of the three brightest visible colors, which were Blue/Violet, Green, and Orange.

To complete my lab I am required to identify the element that produced the emission spectrum, however I am really unclear how to go about this.

So, I am left with wavelengths for 1st and 2nd order lines of each color, I've tried to compare this to lists of wavelengths for various emission spectrums I've found, but I see no way to take these wavelengths and positively identify my element. Most lists of wavelengths I find fall within the same range. What is the clear cut method that I am missing to correlate my wavelengths to another set given so as to identify my element?
 
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is the spectrometer's resolution too poor or something? in general one should be able to identify elements pretty easily.
 
inha said:
is the spectrometer's resolution too poor or something? in general one should be able to identify elements pretty easily.
I can't really find any wavelengths to compare my calculated wavelengths to, just pictures of spectra, you can't make a positive id on that.

e.g.

I have a blue/violet 1st order to the right of center, wave length=348.99, and to the left of center=523.359.
Looking at this list:http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/Handbook/Tables/nitrogentable2.htm for nitrogen, how can I even relate my 1st and second order measurements to the nitrogen table?
 
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