PhET Simulation: Models of the Hydrogen AtomThis robust simulation will give students insight into how scientists figured out the structure of atoms without actually looking at them. The models progress from classical to quantum, allowing students to see how our understanding progressed from the older Billiard Ball and Plum Pudding models through the Bohr, deBroglie, and Schrodinger models. You can run the models fast or slow, watch as electrons change energy levels, and track spectral lines in the spectrometer tool.
PhET Simulation: Neon Lights and Other Discharge LampsStudents can explore energy levels by bombarding atoms with electrons to see how characteristic spectra are produced. Choose from hydrogen, sodium, neon, or mercury atoms. Fire a single electron or a continuous stream and watch as the atoms change energy levels and emit photons. Students can use the preset levels on the simulation, or configure their own number of energy levels. Change the voltage level and watch how energy is affected. A spectometer can be displayed to view the spectral lines.