Kool-Aid analysis: Visible Spectroscopy and Paper Chromatography

Submitted by Megan Strayer / The Pennsylvania State University on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 13:55
Description

This lab experiment is designed to introduce the electromagnetic spectrum to non-science majors in a food chemistry course by using everyday food (i.e. Kool-Aid packets). Students will use a spectrophotometer to correlate wavelength to color, as well as determine the mass percent of certain colored dyes in a Kool-Aid sample. Paper chromatography is also introduced to determine the number of dyes in a Kool-Aid sample. This lab is adapted from Sigmann, S; Wheeler, D. J. Chem. Ed., 2004, 81, p. 1475.

Chimera - A Molecular Modeling Program

Submitted by Walter Flomer / St. Andrew's University on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 06:54
Description

Chimera is a program for interactive visualization and analysis of molecular structures and related data, including density maps, supramolecular assemblies, sequence alignments, docking results, trajectories, and conformational ensembles. High-quality images and animations can also be generated. Chimera includes documentation and tutorials, and can be downloaded free of charge for academic, government, non-profit, and personal use. Chimera was developed at UCSF and was funded by the National Institute of Health.

The Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Spinels

Submitted by Rebecca / The Ohio State University on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 21:19
Description

In this lab, students will use solid-state methods to synthesize cobalt and chromium spinels, ZnCr2O4, ZnCo2O4, CoAl2O4, and CoCr2O4. They will (1) characterize their structure with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and (2) characterize the color using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and its applications to LFT

Submitted by Karen McFarlane Holman / Willamette University on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 09:43
Description

This series of (not five) slides introduces X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), specifically XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure).  There is background in basic theory, the general technique including synchrotron radiation sources, and two specific examples from the literature that apply XANES spectra to (1) oxidation state and effective nuclear charge of sulfur in various compounds such as sulfates, and (2) measurement of energy levels in MO diagrams of coordination compounds (i.e., LFT).  Point (2) is analogous to showing PES peaks alongside MO diagrams for diatomics.

Trends in Measured Redox Potentials and Computed Molecular Orbital Energies of Derivatized Buckminsterfullerenes

Submitted by Robert Q. Topper / Cooper Union on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 01:55
Description

In this project students are asked to reproduce published calculations of molecular orbital energies of a series of derivatized fullerenes and correlate them with published reduction and oxidation potentials obtained from cyclic voltammetry. The particular subset of the derivatives to be studied are chosen by the student and this choice is part of the learning activity. The students then carry out additional calculations using other theoretical models to see whether they improve the correlation between computed and experimental properties.

Band Structures, Electronic and Optical Properties of Metals, Semiconductors, and Insulators

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 00:32

I created this Collection of Learning Objects (LOs) at the IONiC VIPEr TUES 2013 Workshop: Solid State Materials for Alternative Energy Needs held at Penn State University.  The overall theme of the Collection is electronic and optical properties of metals, semiconductors, and insulators.  Most of the learning objects either require knowledge of or explicitly refer to band structures, either at a basic level or a more advanced level.  Some LOs also deal with extended structures, un

Symmetry, Group Theory, and Computational Chemistry

Submitted by Joanne Stewart / Hope College on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 22:46

These Learning Objects were used in an advanced undergraduate chemistry course that used computational chemistry as an integrative tool to help students deepen their understanding of structure, bonding, and reactivity and practice their integrative expertise by addressing complex problems in the literature and in their own research.

Synthesis and Analysis of the POM Ammonium Decavanadate, (NH4) 6V10O28*6H2O

Submitted by Sabrina Sobel / Hofstra University on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 20:35
Description

Synthesis of ammonium decavanadate, and analysis via IR, UV-Vis and quantitative titration. Time: 1.5 lab periods

 

Purpose

            The purpose of this lab experiment is to expose students to the synthesis of a colored POM, and to connect the use of standard analytical techniques to this new type of compound. It introduces the use of IR spectroscopy of inorganic materials.

 

Introduction

Lattice Systems Origami

Submitted by Jeremiah / Plymouth State University on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 10:31
Description

Covers the geometries and symmetries of the seven crystal systems in an inquiry-based manner. 2-D paper templates are provided, which the students cut out, fold, and tape together to create 3-D representations of the seven crystal systems: triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, rhombohedral, hexagonal, and cubic. The students can then use these to determine the geometries and symmetries of the systems for themselves.

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