X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation is versatile and utilized in numerous instrumentation and analytical chemistry courses.  An introduction to this spectroscopic methodology was added to the General Chemistry lab curriculum where the focus is on quantized energy levels.  In this manner, lower division students were given an opportunity to ponder what fancier methods that they will use as they progress in the curriculum. The XRF emission spectral data clearly demonstrate the core electrons are in quantized energy levels.  The quantized energy level lab includes typical electrode discharge tubes yielding atomic line spectra, metal salts yielding flame emission data and the optional XRF spectral data which provided another clear example of quantized energy levels for numerous elements.  The XRF spectral samples involve lead and copper painted on toys and other surfaces.  This allowed a brief discussion of chemical exposures and indicate how this instrumentation is utilized to product safety screening which is complimentary to the soil screening experiment in an upper division laboratory.  The relative ease of adding this option and the impact is discussed.  <br/>

Adding XRF option to general chemistry lab curriculum

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.