The Department of Chemistry is acquiring an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a diode array spectrophotometer for use in three introductory chemistry courses. The atomic absorption unit is being used to determine the concentrations of a variety of metals in materials of environmental origin, such as the concentration of mercury and lead in the food supply and nickel in alloys. Following the study of Beer's Law, the diode array uv/vis spectrophotometer is applied to the determination of phosphate in water, iron in vitamin supplements, and the study of buffer behavior.
