Physics307L F09:People/Franco/Franco's Balmer

Balmer Summary
Accepted Values for H Wavelength (nm)
 * 656.3
 * 486.1
 * 434.1
 * 410.2

Our Values for H
 * 656.1 +/- .5 nm
 * 486.00 +/- .04 nm
 * 434.1 +/- .1 nm
 * 409.7 +/- .1 nm

Our Values for D
 * 659.13 +/- .03 nm
 * 485.95 +/- 0.03 nm
 * 434.2 +/- 0.1 nm
 * 409.65 +/- .12 nm

From the data, the only ones that were precise (Steve Koch:I think you mean "accurate") were 3rd and 4th measurement. As for the 1st and 2nd those were not as precise. One thing that could have offset the measurements is that we only calibrated using the 434.1 nm. Even though we were avoiding "slop," calibrating it only based on that measurement sets a systematic error. Another possibility is error input in the data, we notice we had put a wrong measurement, and corrected it. But who's to say there isn't anymore of those errors. Another is the method of how the dial was read. Was it eye level consistently or was that even considered?

Rydberg experimental constant: 1.0975E+07 (+/- .0003)

The Rydberg constant was measured with a .0175(25)% difference. Our Rydberg constant was not too far off from the accepted value as mentioned in the lab notebook.

Things I would improve on after doing this lab are: one I would talk more measurements and calibrate not just on one, but instead on the other wavelengths. Secondly, I would focus more on being much more consistent with eye level and writing down data.


 * Balmer Series Lab
 * Notebook