The acquisition of nine spectrophotometers is providing modern, reliable instruments for first through fourth year chemistry laboratories. New and revised experiments using spectrophotometric techniques are being introduced at all levels. First year chemistry laboratory students are utilizing four spectrophotometers interfaced with microcomputers to acquire data from three experiments to quantify a chemical equilibrium constant, the percentage of manganese in steel, and a kinetics rate law expression. Nonscience curricula students in another laboratory course are spectrophotometrically determining the iron content of some common foods. Students in second year quantitative analysis are using four microprocessor controlled spectrophotometers also linked to a microcomputer to determine two metals in mixtures and phosphorous in blood serum. The students are also isolating and identifying lycopene and beta-carotene from tomatoes by using a scanning ultraviolet-visible spectrometer. Students in organic chemistry are being introduced to scanning uv-visible spectrophotometry in a study of the isomerization of an alkene. Upper division chemistry curriculum students are using the same scanning uv- visible spectrophotometer to determine ligand field characteristics, stability constants, and identify compounds. The grantee is matching the award from non-Federal sources.
