Spectroscopy experiments for chemistry classes
Spectrometric techniques like UV-Vis, NMR, XRF, and XRD are an important part of the chemistry curriculum, with a wide range of applications—from industrial to life science. Whether you are teaching Beer’s Law, analyzing molecular structures, or are interested in the structural or elemental analysis of organic materials, this classroom has information about the instruments that maximize your curriculum and help bring scientific concepts to life.
Visit the Spectroscopy in the Classroom Resource Center to find lesson plans, videos, webinars, and application notes that can easily fit into your classroom curriculum.
Spectroscopy instruments for general chemistry labs
Nicolet Summit FTIR Spectrometer
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet Summit FTIR Spectrometer uses LightDrive Optical Engine technology that comes with a 10-year warranty on the source, interferometer, and laser, so you are have low maintenance costs for a decade to come. This entry-level instrument is the perfect fit for your chemistry teaching lab.
Curriculum topics:
- Organic chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Structural identification
- Reaction monitoring
Learn more about the Nicolet Summit FTIR Spectrometer.
Nicolet LITE FTIR Spectrometer
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet Summit LITE incorporates new hardware and software innovation that helps students work faster and smarter. The Nicolet Summit LITE features Thermo Scientific LightDrive Optical Engine technology found in more advanced spectrometers, delivers improved instrument performance and low cost of ownership with 5-year warranty on the interferometer, laser and source.
Curriculum topics:
- Organic spectroscopy
- Reaction Monitoring
- Structural identification
- Chemical engineering
Learn more about the Nicolet LITE FTIR Spectrometer.
Nicolet Apex FTIR Spectrometer
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet Apex FTIR Spectrometer provides customers with advanced performance, productivity, and flexibility. Powered by OMNIC software, seamlessly transfer experiment files, custom libraries, TQ methods, accessories and more.
Curriculum Topics:
- Organic chemistry
- Qualitative analysis
- Organic spectroscopy
- Material characterization (TGA-IR)
Learn more about the Nicolet Apex FTIR Spectrometer
The Thermo Scientific SPECTRONIC 200 Visible Spectrophotometer sets the standard for entry-level, rugged, and simple-to-use teaching instruments. It delivers quick, convenient measurements—perfect for novice students in a classroom setting.
The SPECTRONIC 200 spectrophotometer can help you bring the following curriculum topics to your students:
- Single wavelength
- Beer’s Law
- Scanning
- Kinetics
- Colorimetric assays
The Thermo Scientific GENESYS 30 Visible Spectrophotometer performs both basic and complex analyses for educational or industrial use. Its intuitive design allows students and teachers to focus on scientific data and concepts rather than on learning how to use the instrument.
The new GENESYS 30 spectrophotometer can bring these curriculum topics to life in your classroom:
- Single wavelength
- Beer’s Law
- Kinetics
- Colorimetry/colorimetric analysis
- Quantitative analysis
Learn about the GENESYS 30 Visible Spectrophotometer.
Find GENESYS 30 accessories to support you and your students.
The next generation GENESYS Vis/UV-Vis spectrophotometers were made for the classroom environment – and for today’s students that expect high tech. Offered in a single cell configuration, these instruments are designed with a sloping surface to shed spills and a washable sampling compartment for easy clean up. An intuitive touchscreen interface, local control software (no PC needed) and optional Wi-Fi networking make the GENESYS 50 UV-Vis or GENESYS 40 Vis Spectrophotometer perfect for teaching chemistry.
Bring the power of NMR to your classroom. The Thermo Scientific picoSpin Series II NMR Spectrometer is the most affordable benchtop NMR available today. Its capillary injection system requires no cryogens or consumables. Along with the instrument's small size, the modern software interface and high throughput make it ideal for any chemistry class.
The picoSpin spectrometer can help teach these curriculum topics to your students:
- Quantum spin
- Percent composition
- Chemical identification
- Reaction monitoring
Learn about the picoSpin Series II NMR Spectrometers.
Find accessories to support you and your students.
See how NMR and FTIR can work together in your chemistry classroom.
Benchtop NMR Insights from Alex Blom, Ph.D., Alverno College: "We wanted to be able to get students hands-on experience with an instrument of this sort since they are used extensively in graduate schools and industry."
Benchtop NMR Insights from Ms. Suzanne Carpenter, Armstrong Atlantic State University: "The availability of the benchtop NMR means that every institution can now provide hands-on experiences with NMR to their students."
Benchtop NMR Insights from Sarah Dimick Gray, Ph.D., Metropolitan State University: "The ease of use for sophomore-level students has been key for our program; and students really feel connected to the products they are making in lab."
Get the most out of your picoSpin with these lesson plans. Below are the five most popular lesson plans.
The Thermo Scientific ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer is designed to meet structural and phase analysis requirements in both industrial and research laboratories. The bench-top design is ideal and a cost-effective solution for teaching in university and colleges. It features a unique detector technology without motorization for real-time simultaneous acquisition of full XRD pattern. It can perform XRD experiments on standard powders, thin films or small grains, with capillary stage or in controlled environment. Occupying a third of the space of a conventional diffractometer, this stand-alone, transportable bench-top instrument has the lowest cost of ownership with no peripheral dependence and maintenance.
The ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer can help teach these curriculum topics to your students:
- Polymorphism
- Crystallinity
- Quantitative phase analysis
- Reactivity and stability of materials
- Basic crystallography
Learn more about the ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometer.
The Thermo Scientific ARL QUANT'X EDXRF Spectrometer provides major, minor and trace element quantification across the broadest range of samples, including bulk solids, granules, powders, thin films and liquids. This complete benchtop EDXRF system is transportable and easy-to-use for rapid screening and finger-printing. It can perform analysis under air, vacuum or helium depending on the sample type and enables qualitative, quantitative and “standard-less” elemental analysis for practical hands-on training. It also serves as a front-end analysis tool before selecting other spectroscopy techniques for more details.
Learn about the ARL QUANT’X EDXRF Spectrometer.
Additional Spectroscopy references
Visually inspire your future scientistsEquip your class with this Spectroscopy Techniques Poster. Encourage your students to explore the electrometric spectrum, instructional diagrams, and spectroscopy techniques. |  |
Spectroscopy in the classroom resource centerHere you will find classroom resources that will help empower and engage your students. Learn more |  |
 | Spectroscopy, Elemental & Isotope Analysis Resource LibraryAccess a targeted collection of application notes, case studies, videos, webinars and white papers covering a range of applications for Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, Near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, X-Ray Fluorescence, and more. |