OFFICIAL INSTRUCTION MANUAL

The Rainbow Shun

FIRST EDITION

Gamifying the atomic emission spectra

By Ahmad Mushtaq and Mohammad Abdul Aziz
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Scientific Background and Game Correlation

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of that element. Atoms typically consist of
subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. While the protons and neutrons sit in the center of
the atom to form the nucleus, electrons orbit the nucleus in energy levels.

e- Specific energy is present between energy

levels to provoke excitement or emission.

e-

The interaction between light and electrons is rather fascinating. When an electron gains energy, the
electron enters an excited state with higher potential energy. This electron then moves up in energy levels.
When the electron loses this energy, the electron goes back to its original state, or its ground state. As it
goes back, the electron releases wavelengths of energy.

Researchers discovered that when an electric current is passed through hydrogen gas, surprisingly four
bands of visible light are emitted. This sparked a natural curiosity; why four bands of visible light? This
correlates with the idea of visible light being part of what is known as electromagnetic radiation, energy that
displays wavelike properties of motion in space at the speed of light. Since this energy shows wavelike
properties, their energy is correlated with their wavelength. A specific portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum with specific wavelengths displays visible light, from approximately 400 nm to 700 nm.

Because atoms are organized into energy levels, there’s a very specific amount of energy between any two
energy levels. For an electron to enter an excited state, it must have been elevated through the very specific
energy levels with very specific amounts of energy. Since the amounts of energy needed for an electron to
enter an excited state are pre-defined, only certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation allow for this
electron “excitement.” After the electron has absorbed energy from radiation, it emits this energy in the form
of wavelengths as the electron goes back down to its ground state. The electrons will shift energy levels to
energy level n = 2 give off visible light radiation from each hydrogen atom, and that only at certain
wavelengths.

Thus, atoms can give off radiation in the form of visible light; with hydrogen, that is best explained by the
change in energy levels of electrons. As for multi-electron atoms, they dynamics may be slightly more
complex. However, the idea that these atoms, too, are capable of emitting radiation gives rise to this game;
Rainbow Shun is a fun little game where the creators have compiled two radiation wavelengths (in the
visible spectrum only) for each of 25 elements. Players take turns picking elements at random. Every time
they pick an element, they collect the two wavelengths complied with it. The winner of the game is the first
player to obtain five wavelengths that are spread out by > 90 nm.

Note that elements can give off hundreds of different wavelengths of radiation, and most do not work with
the concept discovered with Bohr’s hydrogen mode. However, we have picked only two wavelengths for
each atom, and thus the game is less skill-based and more focused on enjoyment of the experience whilst
attaining a brief understanding of atomic radiation.
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Game Instructions

1. Spread out the element cards on a flat surface and place the two wavelength strips associated
with each element under each element card.

2. Agree on the first player. The first player will, at random, select an element. Then, the player
will collect the two wavelengths under that element. The element picked should be kept in a
different pile.

3. Repeat with next player, and then will all other players. As you repeat, count the difference
between various wavelengths you have collected.

4. The first player to have three wavelength quantities that are spread out by 90 nm wins. This
may be from multiple elements.

5. The winner will summarize the reasons as to why atoms emit radiation and the role of electrons
in the Hydrogen Emission Line Spectrum, as an example.