Quantum Mechanics

In the article, "Reaching for the Sun," the main point is that a spectroscope has helped scientist discover many elements throughout our atmosphere. Joseph von Frauenhofer was a glass cutter apprentice that mastered making glass after his apprenticeship. He enhanced the quality of glass and ended up manufacturing the best optical equipment in the world. In 1802, Frauenhofer discovered when sunlight passed through a prism, a colored spectrum of light occurred. Gustav Kirchhoff and Robert Bunsen used a prism to identify the characteristics between compounds. They recorded the positions of the spectral lines. Later, Kirchhoff and Bunsen found many other new elements such as: indium, gallium, scandium, germanium, and thallium. Norman Lockyer, who was an astronomer, used a telescope with a small spectroscope inside of it to observe sunspots. He discovered a new element (helium) that didn't appear to exist on Earth. Today, the spectrometer is used daily to analyze chemical compounds in outer space. Because of Kirchhoff and Bunsen, astronomy can be applied by physics.

In astronomy, the invention of the spectroscope will help us discover many more elements throughout our universe. In chemistry, the spectroscope will help us analyze the difference between elements. The spectroscope can be used as a tool to develop compound elements for our goods. Spectroscopes can also determine radiation that is hazardous to our well being.

This article relates to what I have read on the reading list #3. Prisms were used to determine the difference between elements. Prisms helped scientist to figure out how the atom of an element works. Neils Bohr used spectrums in his model of the atom and studied the energy levels of the electrons. During class, we discussed the development of the atomic atom.

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