Why can't sodium vapour lamp be used in spectrometer experiment

AI Thread Summary
Sodium vapor lamps produce a limited spectrum primarily consisting of yellow light, which restricts the ability to analyze various colors in a spectrometer experiment. In contrast, mercury vapor lamps emit a broader spectrum, including visible and ultraviolet light, allowing for a more comprehensive study of refractive indices across multiple colors. The presence of ultraviolet light in mercury vapor lamps poses eye safety concerns, necessitating precautions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of using mercury lamps for experiments requiring a diverse color spectrum. Ultimately, the choice of lamp significantly impacts the quality and safety of spectroscopic analysis.
harini_5
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i was working with a spectrometer and the aim of the experiment was to find the refractive index of a prism for various colors.
i was asked specifically to use mercury vapor lamp and was insisted not to use sodium vapour lamp.
why is it so?
 
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harini_5 said:
for various colors.
How many colors are in a Na vapor lamp?
How many in an Hg
 
And the ones you can't see in Hg can be a eye safety concern. i.e. Ultraviolet.

Hopefully precautions are being taken.
 
mgb_phys said:
How many colors are in a Na vapor lamp?
How many in an Hg

sir can u please tell me the difference between the two spectra,interms of colors etc?
 
FG04_03.jpg

http://physics.uoregon.edu/~jimbrau/astr122/Notes/Chapter3_4.html"
 
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dlgoff said:
FG04_03.jpg

http://physics.uoregon.edu/~jimbrau/astr122/Notes/Chapter3_4.html"

A wonderful illustration of why mercury is preferable to sodium.
 
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