Describes an approach which provides a basis for developing skills in interpreting infrared spectra and gives students a methodology which is functional without having to match "problem" spectra with "published" spectra. In addition, the suggested approach is reinforced easily by laboratory exercises involving known or unknown…

Discusses problems associated with standard diffraction grating experiments involving a diffraction grating, a straight meter stick, and a slit. Describes the use of a new spectroscope to overcome these problems using a curved scale to simplify calculations and help students obtain results from simple and straightforward measurements, thus giving…

Presented are flow charts to help students interpret infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of simple organic compounds. Advantages in using these charts are outlined. (JN)

Describes an instructional experiment that was designed to illustrate the use of periodate oxidation in sugar analysis, and the consequence that the absorbance of mixtures of non-interacting substances is additive. (TW)

Presented are definitions and a grid to clarify relationships between terms. Discussed is an example of the application of Einstein coefficients and some suggestions for teaching this concept. (CW)

Describes a simple undergraduate experiment in chemistry dealing with the "solvent effects" in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Stresses the importance of having students learn NMR spectroscopy as a tool in analytical chemistry. (TW)

Describes a physical chemistry experiment that uses Fourier transform (FTIR) spectrometers and microcomputers as a way of introducing students to the spectral storage and manipulation techniques associated with digitized data. It can be used to illustrate FTIR spectroscopy, simple kinetics, inorganic mechanisms, and Beer's Law. (TW)

Reports that although excitation at 337nm is less than optimal, detection limits in the range 1-100pg/ml were found. Provides a calibration curve and results for seven organic compounds. (MVL)

Discusses electron-loss spectroscopy and the experimentally observed excitation energies in terms of qualitative MO theory. Reviews information on photoelectron spectroscopy and electron transmission spectroscopy and their relation to the occupied and unoccupied orbital levels. Focuses on teaching applications. (ML)

Presents a laboratory experiment which illustrates the formation of tris(phenanthroline)cobalt complexes in the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states, the effect of coordination on reactions of the ligand, and the use of a ligand displacement reaction in recovering the transformed ligand. Uses IR, UV-VIS, conductivity, and NMR. (MVL)

Presents a short reaction sequence that allows the student to determine by spectroscopic methods the constitution and stereochemistry of the reaction products. Reports the interpretations needed to illustrate the usefulness of the spectroscopic method. Notes the products of the Michael-Aldol reaction have not been reported in the literature. (MVL)

Discusses the benefits of thermochromic transformations for studying thermodynamic properties. Describes an experiment that uses a commercially available dye, attains equilibrium rapidly, employs a simple, single-beam spectrophotometer, and is suitable for both physical chemistry and introductory chemistry laboratories. (TW)

Discusses the conventional approaches to teaching about chemical equilibrium in advanced physical chemistry courses. Presents an alternative approach to the treatment of this concept by using Boltzmann's distribution law. Lists five advantages to using this method as compared with the other approaches. (TW)

Gives upper level chemistry students a better understanding of the application of lasers in the field of spectroscopy. Provides three experiments to demonstrate the thermal lens effect: determination of beam profile, cell position optimization, and pKa determination. (MVL)

Explained is a representation of the three categories of spectra. Discusses what a lesson on spectra should include, background information, and equipment needed. Provided is a diagram of an absorption box. (RT)