Spectroscopy in Large Lecture Hall II
Description: Half-filled containers of colored solutions are placed in front of a white light. The light is viewed through a diffraction grating. The absorption spectra of the colored light can be seen and compared to the spectra of white light.
Source: Journal of Chemical Education
Year: 1988 Vol: 65 Page: 1006
Keywords: White light, Diffraction grating, Diffraction, Spectrum, Absorption
Rating: 
Hazard: Low
- Electrical shock hazard
- Breakage hazard
- Aquatic toxicity hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are observable with guidance
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Good reliability
- Moderate failure rate
- Time to results is low
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Accurate alignment required
- Demos in which objects are passed out to students
- Simple procedures
- Careful handling of lamps required
- Liquid level must be half-full in cuvette
Safety Precautions:
- Use of UL approved three-prong and outlet
- Gloves required when handling lamps
- Absorbent material on hand
- Sodium bicarbonate on hand
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- Avoid exposures to droplets and vapors
Class: Atomic Structure, Spectroscopy, Atomic Emission
Division: Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, General Chemistry
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