Materials List: Using a Fancy Spectrograph

Each student needs:

  • Spectrograph from the "Building a Fancy Spectrograph" activity
  • Homework from the "Building a Fancy Spectrograph" activity
  • Colored pencils
  • Copy of instructions (see Attachment section)

To share with the entire class:

  • 1 strand of multi-colored holiday lights
  • 1 strand of clear white holiday lights
  • 1 candle
  • 1 glow stick
  • (¼ watt) night light with neon bulb
  • 2-3 extension cords
  • 1 incandescent light bulb
  • 6 compact florescent light bulbs (1 cool white bulb [emits throughout spectrum], 1 soft white bulb [emits stronger on red side], 1 daylight bulb [emits stronger on blue side], 1 blue compact florescent bulb, 1 red compact florescent bulb, and 1 blacklight forescent bulb)
  • 1 red LED light
  • 1 green LED light

Notes on materials:

Glow sticks can be purchased at big box stores, camping supply stores, and many grocery stores, and are especially easy to find around Halloween. Glow sticks range in price from $1-$4 each. Make sure to get the kind that needs to be cracked to glow.

The ¼ watt night-lights (sometimes called 0.25 or 0.3 watt) can be purchased at hardware stores, many grocery stores, and some big box stores, and typically less than $5 each.

https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_spect_activity5