Our world is filled with different light sources: fluorescent office lights, sodium street lamps, and bright neon lights to name a few. Now you can see all of the emission spectra of these light sources with our new iPhone app: SpectraSnapp. Did I mention that it's free?
Remember those flame tests from high school chemistry class? You would burn a specific element — such as copper or sodium — and each element would burn with a different color. For instance, sodium burns with an intense yellow flame while lithium will burn red.
These characteristic colors emerge because every element or chemical compound has its own emission spectrum. When an atom's electrons are excited, it will emit photons of specific wavelengths. Atoms emit photons of various energies when electrons are excited from one energy level to another.
The magnitude of the energy jump for the electrons determines the energy — and subsequent color — of the emitted photons. Using an instrument known as a spectrometer, physicists can see the unique emission lines for an element or compound. With SpectraSnapp, now you can too!
SpectraSnapp makes use of the iPhone's camera to image spectra of any light source. You'll need to make a few quick adaptations first, however.
As you can see in the image above, you'll have to create a makeshift spectrometer to append to your phone's camera. The app has the full details on how to build your device which requires just a few items:
After you've made your spectrometer, just point your camera at any nearby light sources to reveal the underlying emission lines. Once you snap your picture, it's time for analysis.
The app lets you do some basic photo editing to perfect your spectrum sample. You can crop, rotate, change the brightness, and alter the contrast for your spectrum image.
Next, you can compare your spectrum to our library of spectra for a number of other light sources. The library includes spectra for many gas discharges and common light sources. By comparing your spectra, you can start to see how your sample generates its light. Maybe your sample looks like a sodium discharge, or maybe it looks more like the red and orange heavy emission of neon.
Finally, you can of course share your spectra through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. All of your photos will be stored in your phone's camera roll.
For now, the app is only available for iPhones and iPads, but we hope to branch out to Android devices in the future. Make sure to let us know what you think in the comments.
To download the app, simply search for "SpectraSnapp" in the app store on your device. Otherwise, you can follow the download link below.
Download the App (iTunes Store)
APS News Article on SpectraSnapp
Remember those flame tests from high school chemistry class? You would burn a specific element — such as copper or sodium — and each element would burn with a different color. For instance, sodium burns with an intense yellow flame while lithium will burn red.
These characteristic colors emerge because every element or chemical compound has its own emission spectrum. When an atom's electrons are excited, it will emit photons of specific wavelengths. Atoms emit photons of various energies when electrons are excited from one energy level to another.
The magnitude of the energy jump for the electrons determines the energy — and subsequent color — of the emitted photons. Using an instrument known as a spectrometer, physicists can see the unique emission lines for an element or compound. With SpectraSnapp, now you can too!
APS Outreach Specialist James Roche shows off SpectraSnapp.
Image Credit: Mike Lucibella/APS.
Image Credit: Mike Lucibella/APS.
SpectraSnapp makes use of the iPhone's camera to image spectra of any light source. You'll need to make a few quick adaptations first, however.
As you can see in the image above, you'll have to create a makeshift spectrometer to append to your phone's camera. The app has the full details on how to build your device which requires just a few items:
- A diffraction grating
- Black construction paper
- And electrical tape (black works best)
After you've made your spectrometer, just point your camera at any nearby light sources to reveal the underlying emission lines. Once you snap your picture, it's time for analysis.
The app lets you do some basic photo editing to perfect your spectrum sample. You can crop, rotate, change the brightness, and alter the contrast for your spectrum image.
Next, you can compare your spectrum to our library of spectra for a number of other light sources. The library includes spectra for many gas discharges and common light sources. By comparing your spectra, you can start to see how your sample generates its light. Maybe your sample looks like a sodium discharge, or maybe it looks more like the red and orange heavy emission of neon.
An example spectrum of a white CFL bulb taken with the app.
Image Credit: Brian Jacobsmeyer
Image Credit: Brian Jacobsmeyer
Finally, you can of course share your spectra through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. All of your photos will be stored in your phone's camera roll.
For now, the app is only available for iPhones and iPads, but we hope to branch out to Android devices in the future. Make sure to let us know what you think in the comments.
To download the app, simply search for "SpectraSnapp" in the app store on your device. Otherwise, you can follow the download link below.
Download and More Links
Download the App (iTunes Store)
APS News Article on SpectraSnapp
Make the android version now! I'm a Chemistry teacher with a Galaxy S3 and I want this app!
ReplyDeleteSorry but what are you doing we an Android phone?
Deletebeing more awesome than you, for example
DeleteDitto from this 'droid-using physics teacher...
ReplyDeleteFYI:
ReplyDeletehttp://publiclaboratory.org/tool/spectrometer
Also this:
ReplyDeletehttp://publiclaboratory.org/notes/warren/2-12-2013/countertop-and-mobile-spectrometers-and-ios-progress
please we all have droids, we need it
ReplyDeleteFor android and just on your desktop, try these: http://store.publiclaboratory.org/collections/spectrometry
ReplyDeletecalibrated and open source
Not compatible with iPhone 3G.
ReplyDeleteLet's have it for Android.
ReplyDeleteditto!
ReplyDeleteWill install on ipad mini but stuck on no sample loaded
ReplyDeleteI would be very interested in a android version!!! Thanks for the idea, this is really great to see a 'simple' handheld device to use for this kind of scientific ideas. THANKS.
ReplyDeleteMake it for Android IMMEDIATELY please :D
ReplyDeleteHere it is:
ReplyDeletehttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flappit.learnlight&hl=en
well, not exactly... but we get the picture
DeleteWhy not to have spectrometer of orbitals electrons charge spins? Maybe we should recieve it from X ray crystalographic spectrum of orbitals?
ReplyDeleteOnly the "legion of apple" would wonder why a smart teacher would want a phone they can actually control (IE Android).
ReplyDeleteI have been working with a professor who has set up a similar app, but there is the same issue. Why would you write this for apple when folks that want to actually have control and open architecture on their phone are clearly android users. I don't want a tiny ghost of Steve Jobs inside my phone deciding what my phone can do.
You seriously need to have this for Android. AND apple since high school kids often own apple products too.
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ReplyDeleteAwesome!! Important and useful App.
ReplyDeleteHow's the conversion to Android progressing? 'Understanding here of real life pressures, but would like to encourage you to completion. I've half an idea here for use in marine coral keeping, to test output towards workable colour temperature at depth for d.i.y. lighting rigs. Kind regards.
ReplyDeleteWhat spacing did your diffraction grating have please?
ReplyDeleteDiffraction gratings with a pitch of around 500 lines per mm work well.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this app only available in the US iTunes store? I am in New Zealand and blocked from downloading because it's restricted to USA only.
ReplyDeleteThe superb highly informative blog I’m about to share this with all my contacts.
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Interesting article. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this content.
ReplyDelete