An Experimental Introduction to Basic Principles of the Interaction of Electromagnetic Radiation with Matter

Patrick Schairer^1, , Stephan Wagner² and Ekkehard Geidel¹

¹Didactics of Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

²Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

Cite this paper

Patrick Schairer, Stephan Wagner and Ekkehard Geidel. An Experimental Introduction to Basic Principles of the Interaction of Electromagnetic Radiation with Matter. World Journal of Chemical Education. 2018; 6(1):29-35. doi: 10.12691/WJCE-6-1-6

Abstract

To understand basic principles about the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter is often a challenge in chemical education due to the difficult theoretical background of this topic. The present contribution therefore offers an experimental based introduction into the basic principles of UV/Vis spectroscopy following a three-step strategy. The starting point is to construct a simple self-built spectrometer working within the visible range of light. Learners can explore the most important components of such a device and understand their functions without previous knowledge. In a second step, emission spectra of different common light sources are investigated and compared. Finally, spectroscopic experiments are suggested for chemical education such as the qualitative detection of cations and the quantitative analysis of the dye carmine in food. This context-based introduction links chemical applications with the everyday life. It can be presumed that this way, learners are provided an easier access to radiation-matter interaction.

Keywords

UV/Vis spectroscopy, low-cost spectrometer, flame test, quantitative analysis, carmine

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]	Huntemann, H., Paschmann, A., Parchmann, I. and Ralle, B., “Chemie im Kontext - ein neues Konzept für den Chemieunterricht?,” CHEMKON, 6 (4), 191-196. Jan.1999.
[2]	Ramsden, J., “How does a context-based approach influence understanding of key chemical ideas at 16+?,” International Journal of Science, 19 (6), 697-710. Jul.1997.
[3]	Jones, M.B., Miller, C.R., “Chemistry in the Real World,” Journal of Chemical Education, 78 (4), 484-487. Apr.2001.
[4]	Harel, I., Papert, S., Constructionism: research reports and essays, 1985-1990, Ablex Publishing Corporation, Norwood, 1991.
[5]	Grasse, E.K., Torcasio M.H., Smith, A.W., “Teaching UV-Vis Spectroscopy with a 3D-Printable Smartphone Spectrophotometer,” Journal of Chemical Education, 93 (1), 146-151. Jan. 2016.
[6]	Bougot-Robin, K., Atkins, S.C., Edel, J.B., “Optimization and Design of an Absorbance Spectrometer Controlled Using a Raspberry Pi To Improve Analytical Skills,” Journal of Chemical Education, 93 (7), 1232-1240. Jul.2016.
[7]	Streidel, K., Introduction to Spectroscopy, Würzburg, 2016. [E-Manual] Available: http://www.didaktik.chemie.uni-wuerzburg.de/lehrer/materialien_fuer_den_einsatz_in_entwicklungslaendern/spektroskopie/.
[8]	Skoog, D.A., Holler, F.J., Stanley, R.C., Instrumentelle Analytik, Springer Spektrum, Berlin, 2013.
[9]	Khanh, T.Q., Huhn, W., “Sichtverbesserungssysteme,“ Handbuch Fahrerassistenzsysteme, Springer Vieweg, Wiesbaden, 2015, 815-839.
[10]	Kon, T., Kusano, T., “White LED with Excellent Rendering of Daylight Spectrum,” Optik & Photonik, 9 (4), 62-65. Dec.2014.
[11]	Schmidt, W., Optical spectroscopy in chemistry and life sciences, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005.
[12]	Ulrich, L., “Whiter brights with lasers,” IEEE Spectrum, 50 (11), 36-56. Nov.2013.
[13]	Jander, G., Blasius, E., Lehrbuch der analytischen und präparativen anorganischen Chemie, S. Hirzel Verlag, Stuttgart, 2006.
[14]	Schairer, P., Kationennachweise mittels Flammenfärbung, Würzburg, 2017. [Online] Available: http://www.didaktik.chemie.uni-wuerzburg.de/lehrer/experimente-zur-spektroskopie/.
[15]	Sharma, V., McKone, H.T., Markow, P.G., “A Global Perspective on the History, Use, and Identification of Synthetic Food Dyes,” Journal of Chemical Education, (88) 1, 24-28. Jan.2011.
[16]	Baranyovits, F.L.C., “Cochineal carmine: an ancient dye with a modern role,” Endeavour, 2 (2), 85-92. Jan.1978.
[17]	Lueck, E., Glandorf, K.K., Lexikon Lebensmittelzusatzstoffe, Behr, Hamburg, 1992.
[18]	Karge, H.G., Geidel, E., “Vibrational Spectroscopy,” Molecular Sieves – Science and Technology, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 2004, 1-200.
[19]	Harris, D.C., Exploring Chemical Analysis, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, 2001.
[20]	Checchetti, A., „Quantitative Analysis of Alcoholic Drinks. Use of Calibration Curve Method to Determine the Alcoholic Degree of Samples of Paesanella, a Distillate of the Family of Grappa,” World Journal of Chemical Education, 3 (3), 70-73. May2015.
[21]	Matter, L., Lebensmittel- und Umweltanalytik mit der Spektrometrie, VCH, Weinheim, 1995.
[22]	Otto, M., Analytische Chemie, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2011.