Laser Cut Cardboard Spectroscope

This is the drawing for a laser cut spectroscope. You can use cardboard to make it.

You can use an old CD or DVD disc as the diffraction grating. To do that, remove the printed side of the disc using an adhesive tape. Peel off the printed label and the metallic layer, leaving the plastic transparent. Cut a square of the disc and glue it to the square opening of the spectroscope. Take care to position the square in the right orientation, so the spectrum is projected inside the spectroscope.

Fold and glue the cardboard. Point the slit toward a light source and observe through the square opening. You will be able to see the spectrum of the light projected inside the box.

You can use this tool in Chemistry or Physics classes, to let the students investigate the visible light spectrum. Compare the light emitted by a white LED, a fluorescent or incandescent bulb.