With an aquarium and a few tools, a simple apparatus to quantitatively illustrate absorption rates of light passing through fresh, salt, and other waters (such as distilled water) can be constructed. Students learn that extinction rates are different and that the intensity/depth relationship is exponential. (DH)

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)

Describes a process for producing terminal or internal alkynes from ketones. Recommends using the experiment to aid in understanding acid-base strength, enolate anion chemistry, reaction at carbon versus oxygen, use of polar aprotic solvents, and elimination and nucleophilic substitution reactions. (ML)

Describes three experiments: (1) "Liquid Flow from Orifices"; (2) "Microcomputer-Controlled Investigation of Battery Discharge and Recovery"; and (3) "Measurement of the Speed of Sound." Drawings and diagrams accompany each. (RT)

Describes three activities, substrate inhibition, product inhibition by fructose and glucose, and gel immobilization of invertase for use with undergraduate biochemistry classes. Discusses materials, methods, and results. Stresses the advantages of practical exercises in undergraduate classes. (CW)

Gives some ideas for studying and growing crystals in the classroom and home as well as some background information to help integrate these ideas into an existing science curriculum. Discusses three activities including common household materials and laboratory procedures. (CW)

Describes two demonstrations for college level chemistry courses including: "Electrochemical Cells Using Sodium Silicate" and "A Simple, Vivid Demonstration of Selective Precipitation." Lists materials, preparation, procedures, and precautions. (CW)

Described is an undergraduate coordination chemistry experiment that enables students to relate concepts developed in class about the stereochemistry and coordination numbers to the interpretation of the electronic and infrared spectra and their magnetic behavior. Indicates that thermal decomposition and x-ray diffraction studies can also be…

Describes an experiment which illustrates the kinetic versus thermodynamic control of chemical reactions for organic chemistry students. Considers the laboratory procedures including the isolation of both the kinetic and thermodynamic products. (CW)

Describes an analytical technique termed the "thermostatic method" that is both conceptually and operationally simple and does not require the removal of liquid samples for analysis. Presents the theoretical background, experimental procedures, and analysis of results. (CW)

Describes experiments in which students prepare in situ soluble complexes of metal ions with different ligands and observe and estimate the change in formal potential that the ion undergoes upon complexation. Discusses student formation and analysis of soluble complexes of two different metal ions with the same ligand. (CW)

Describes a laboratory exercise in which acid dissociation constants and molecular weights are extracted from sample data and the sample is identified. Emphasizes accurate volumetric work while bringing to practice the concepts of acid-base equilibria, activity coefficients, and thermodynamic constants. (CW)

Describes an application of potentiometry to the determination of acidic and basic compounds in household cleaners in chemistry instruction. Discusses procedures and results of this experiment. (CW)

Describes a quantitative experiment designed to demonstrate buffer action and the measurement of buffer capacity. Discusses how to make acetate buffers, determine their buffer capacity, plot the capacity/pH curve, and interpret the data obtained. (TW)

Suggests a laboratory introduction to solid-solid phase transitions, thermochromism, and color changes associated with changes in ligand coordination suitable for undergraduate students in physical and general chemistry. Describes the preparation and analysis of the experiment. (CW)