Atomic Spectra

Helium spectrum

Argon Hydrogen Helium Iodine Nitrogen Neon Mercury Sodium

At left is a helium spectral tube excited by means of a 5000 volt transformer. At the right of the image are the spectral lines through a 600 line/mm diffraction grating. Helium wavelengths (nm) 438.793 w 443.755 w 447.148 s 471.314 m 492.193 m 501.567 s 504.774 w 587.562 s 667.815 m s=strong, m=med, w=weak

Atomic Spectra

Nitrogen spectrum

Argon Hydrogen Helium Iodine Nitrogen Neon Mercury Sodium

The nitrogen spectrum shown above shows distinct bands throughout the visible range. The blue lines in the above were brightened for greater visibility in the image.