Describes a set of undergraduate laboratory experiments which provide experience in deuteration and derivatization procedures applied to infrared spectroscopy. Basic skills in vacuum-line technique are also taught while measuring infrared spectra of deuterated solid samples and demonstrating the value of derivatization as an aid to interpreting…

Highlights procedures and results of an experiment using atomic absorption spectroscope to illustrate a fundamental chemical concept. The experiment demonstrates the dependence of the solubility product of lead sulfate on ionic strength in the presence of a slight excess of anion. (Author/JN)

The monochromaticity, directionality, and intensity of laser light make possible spectroscopic investigations of previously unimagined precision. Several of these investigations and their applications are discussed. (Author/JN)

Experimental procedures and typical student data/results are provided for an experiment determining the sodium (parts per million) in salt substitute with an error of a few percent. Problems encountered with the technique are addressed. (Author/JN)

The status of current techniques and methods of atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy (flame, hybrid, and furnace AA) is discussed, including limitations. Technological opportunities and how they may be used in AA are also discussed, focusing on automation, microprocessors, continuum AA, hybrid analyses, and others. (Author/JN)

Selected high-sensitivity spectrophotometric methods are examined, and comparisons are made of their relative strengths and weaknesses and the circumstances for which each can best be applied. Methods include long path cells, noise reduction, laser intracavity absorption, thermocouple calorimetry, photoacoustic methods, and thermo-optical methods.…

Discusses using an Apple II microcomputer as a Laboratory Data System (LDS) for the analysis of data fed from a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer. (SK)

Presents a physical inorganic experiment in which large single crystals of the alkali halides doped with divalent ion impurities are prepared easily. Demonstrates the ion pairing of inorganic ions in solid solution. (CS)

Describes an experiment for general chemistry that illustrates the use of spectroscopy in the synthesis, characterization, and nitration of tris(acetylacetonato)cobalt (III). (CS)

Describes a physical chemistry experiment that uses dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the barrier to rotation in N,N-dimethylacetamide by measuring changes in line shapes as a function of temperature. (MLH)

Discusses simple and safe techniques that can be used in the educational laboratory to study hemoglobin. Discusses the spectral properties of hemoglobin, spectral-absorbence curves of oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin, tracking the conversion of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin, and changing from the oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin conformation.…

A low-cost, low-tech colorimeter was constructed from a film canister. The student-constructed colorimeter was used to show the Beer-Lambert relationship between absorbance and concentration and to calculate the value of the molar absorptivity for permanganate at the wavelength emission maximum for an LED. Makes comparisons between this instrument…

Uses a diode array spectrometer to explain why blue objects appear red when viewed through the yellowish amber lens of "blue blocking" sunglasses. (JRH)

Describes an exercise that allows the measurement of the sizes of biological samples by means of the diffraction of light. (JRH)

The importance of investigating the sun's interior is discussed. One method for probing the interiors of some pulsating stars is described. The relationship between the sun's solar oscillation frequencies and the sun's solar cycles is discussed. A project to place six instruments around the world to observe the sun's oscillations (GONG) is…