Using Astronomy to Teach Chemistry

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 18 (2013) pp 224-226
DOI 10.1007/s00897132490

Using Astronomy to Teach Chemistry

Dominic L. Ventura*^,† and Rachel S. Ventura^‡

^†Math and Natural Sciences Department, D’Youville College, 320 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201, venturad@dyc.edu,^‡Department of Natural Sciences, Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14260
Received March 16, 2013. Accepted May 7, 2013

Published: 13 September 2013

Abstract. New instrumentation can be beneficial in teaching. Recently this institution purchased a Lhires Lite Spectroscope. This has provided an innovative way for the students to observe emission spectra of lamps or an absorption spectrum of the Sun. This report provides details of how this novel spectrometer has been used to engage undergraduate students in the classroom.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; general chemistry; atomic spectroscopy

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: venturad@dyc.edu )

Article in PDF format (24 KB) HTML format

Supporting Materials:

The version of this experiment prepared by the author as well as photographs of what the viewer will observe when using this instrument (301 KB).