Astro.6.6 Atomic Energy Levels

Students can see the spectral lines of hydrogen by looking at a arc tube on the lecture table through replica gratings. Several students can come down at once and look. You can also project the spectrum of mercury on a screen for the whole class to see, O.4.5.

The Frank-Hertz experiment, Z.Q.9 above, shows atomic energy levels, but it is a very complicated demonstration.

Finally, a very simple demonstration of energy levels is fluorescent and phosphorescent materials with an ultraviolet light. The energetic UV light kicks the electrons up into high levels, and as they jump part way down immediately (fluorescent) or with some seconds of delay (phosphorescent with partially forbidden transitions), the electrons emit visible light of various colors.