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How to Make a Handheld Spectrograph

A ray of light is made up of several different colored rays of light that travel at different frequencies depending on their color. A light spectrograph can be used to observe these different frequencies because it separates light rays using diffraction, or the bending of light. Light spectrographs can be made as advanced machines for scientific research, but they can also be crafted as homemade devices for basic observation and learning.

Things You'll Need

Holographic diffraction grating film, mounted in a 2-inch by 2-inch slide
Cardboard tube, at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter
Clear packing tape
Black masking or electrical tape
Index card, 3 inches by 5 inches
Fine-point knife
Pencil
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Place the slide with the holographic grating film at one end of the cardboard tube and secure it there using the clear packing tape.
- 2
  Set the index card flat against a table. Place the open end of the cardboard tube in the middle of the index card and trace around the outside of the tube to form a circle in the middle of the card.
- 3
  Cut a 1 inch slit in the middle of the circle on the index card using the fine-point knife.
- 4
  Place the index card over the open end of the tube so that the circle on the card lines up with the edge of the tube opening.
- 5
  Bend the edges of the index card that are outside of the circle back along the outside of the cardboard tube and secure the card to the tube using the black masking or electrical tape.
- 6
  Place additional black tape all around the slit on the end of the cardboard tube, but do not cover the slit.

Nature