Background information, materials/procedures, and results are provided for an undergraduate laboratory experiment on a photochemical ligand substitution reaction using sunlight. The experiment illustrates demonstration of photochemistry and basic mechanisms of transition metal reactions using inexpensive materials and is easily followed by…

Describes safety committee (New York section, American Chemical Society) survey of college chemistry facilities to assess hazards and make recommendations, and a cooperative project in Iowa to identify and remove hazardous chemicals from college/secondary school classrooms. Includes a partial list of hazardous chemicals identified by the Iowa…

An advanced undergraduate laboratory experiment in inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy is described. Tunnel junctions were fabricated, the tunneling spectra of several molecules absorbed on the surface of aluminum oxide measured, and mode assignments made for several of the prominent peaks in spectra using results obtained from optical…

Discusses and lists, in table form, the specifications and characteristics of 28 low-cost digital multimeters, including jacks, number of V ranges, max V, cost, approximate percent accuracy, current scales, display, battery life, volume, and manufacturers. Quality of construction, ease of repair, and similar characteristics not reported. (SK)

Describes the individualized audiovisual approach to teaching beginning accounting at a Wisconsin technical college. Discusses how it began as a remedial lab, its theories of individualized instruction, how the pilot project worked, and why this method is used. (CT)

Describes some impurity-related optical properties of semiconductors, with special emphasis on the luminescence of zinc sulfide (ZnS). Presents and interprets five experiments using a ZnS screen, ultraviolet lamp, transparent Dewar liquid nitrogen, and a helium/neon gas base. Includes application of luminescence measurements to archaeology. (SK)

Describes an experiment providing an experimental introduction to vibrational spectroscopy and experience in using an elementary vacuum line. The experiment, using a gas cell charged with methanol, is completed in a three-hour laboratory period and is directed toward understanding vibrational spectroscopy rather than the diagnostic value of the…

Presents background information, materials needed, and experimental procedures to study enzymes dependent on pyridine nucleotide coenzymes (NAD/NADH). The experiments, suitable for advanced organic or biochemistry courses, require approximately 10-15 hours to complete. (SK)

Describes an experiment to analyze commercial analgesic preparations (pain relievers) by silica gel thin layer chromatography, followed by preparative (thick) layer chromatographic separation and spectroscopic analysis. Key difference from similar experiments is that students are responsible for devising suitable solvent systems for the thin layer…

In anticipation of the celebration of Metric Week 1980, a collection of metric activities from a mathematics lab is presented in this article. The activities were selected as being most suitable to grades 2-6 and easily adaptable to classroom mathematics. (Author/MK)

A technique is presented which utilizes wax moth larvae in a laboratory investigation of an insect virus. Describes how an insect virus can be used to introduce undergraduate biology students to laboratory work on viruses and several virological concepts. (SA)

Describes a rapid staining technique for investigating the anatomical expression of two recessive genes. The demonstration is intended to stimulate students who are interested in the practical applications of genetics. (Author/SA)

Basic marine aquaria equipment, techniques for maintenance, specimens and food for the marine organisms are discussed. Several sources of specimens are included. (SA)

The future of the academic oceanographic fleet is discussed. The focus of the controversy surrounding the ships appears to be their size and fuel efficiency. Budget constraints and various ways in which to schedule ships for researchers are the primary concerns. (SA)

Describes a lysozyme assay for use in the biology classroom to teach enzymology. Provides background information, materials and methods, sources of lysozyme, and evaluation of the assay. (DS)