In a message dated 1/18/2011 4:22:38 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
bblais@bryant.edu writes:
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has tried to observe the spectra from classic
intro-chem flame tests. I tried this morning, with just a simple diffraction
grating and, for example, some sodium chloride salt (which glows nicely
yellow for the sodium) but was unable to observe any of the sodium spectral
lines at all: the yellow was just one big smudge. I thought that either 1)
I was missing some more careful method to observe it or 2) that, because of
the complexity of the system (sodium, chlorine, methane in the bunsen
burner, oxidation, etc...) that the narrow spectra lines get washed out in the
interactions.
Anyone ever do it, or, know of a more concrete reason it *won't* work?