Describes a low-cost four-color LED photometer developed to overcome the rising cost of laboratory equipment used in general chemistry labs and introduce instrumentation at the undergraduate level. The photometer detects absorbance at selected wavelengths of visible light but retains the advantages of a dual-beam system. The unit is compact and…

Problems in the experimental laboratory in scientific research are discussed and solutions are proposed for the problem of conflicts between the experimental model and reality. As a possible beginning for change, an apparatus is suggested to replace the tachistoscope. (SCC)

Describes an experiment for recording two individual spectrophotometer response curves. The two curves are directly related to the power of transmitted beams that pass through a solvent and solution. An absorption spectrum of the solution can be constructed from the calculated rations of the curves as a function of wavelength. (JN)

Laser enhanced ionization (LEI) occurs when a tunable dye laser is used to excite a specific atomic population in a flame. Explores the origin of LEI's high sensitivity and identifies possible avenues to higher sensitivity by describing instrument used and experimental procedures and discussing ion formation/detection. (Author/JN)

Describes two variations of an air sampler and analyzer that are inexpensive to construct, easy to operate, and designed to be used in an educational program. Variations use vacuum cleaners and aquarium pumps, and white facial tissues serve as filters. Samples of air pollution obtained by this method may be used from early grade school to advanced…

Describes the function of the various parts of the microscope and their integration in the formation of an optical image. Presents a procedure for setting up a microscope to obtain maximum resolution and contrast for each objective lens at all magnifications. (JRH)

Major instrumental concerns in molecular solution fluorimetry have recently turned away from sensitivity enhancement to an orientation more directed toward selectivity. This trend simply recognizes that such methodology has historically been blank limited. Thus, the described uses of liquid chromatography, line narrowing, and time resolution…

Describes a simple, relatively inexpensive, and easily implemented approach for introducing visually handicapped students to chemical instrumentation via experiments on operational amplifiers as examples of some of the electronic building blocks of chemical instrumentation. The approach is applicable to other chemical instruments having electrical…

Focuses on recent research on currents and eddies of the earth's oceans. Special emphasis is given to instrumentation involved in studying the oceans. (SA)

Describes an inexpensive and versitile interface which can be readily adapted to many on-line experimental projects in scientific fields by educators who are not computer experts. Hardware and software requirements are noted. (JN)

Some inherent instrument capabilities/limitations can be described in terms of signal to noise ratio (S/N). Two three-hour experiments are described to give students appreciation of the importance of signal strength and noise level in instrument performance and how S/N can be increased by choice of conditions and data manipulation. (Author/JN)

Describes an experiment suitable for an instrumental analysis or quantitative analysis course. (BB)

The Laboratory Structure and Task Analysis Inventory (LAI) is an instrument designed to facilitate the analysis of laboratory investigations in secondary school science. It yields a quantitative picture of the kinds of activities required of a student in performing laboratory investigations. The report includes guidelines for the use of the…

Describes some undergraduate laboratory experiments on thermoanalytical techniques which deal with both organic and inorganic compounds. (GA)

Describes use of a Fresnel biprism to demonstrate double-slit interference with polarized light. Discusses polarization and phase properties of a randomly polarized gas. (JM)