Chemistry Instrumentation

Las Positas College Chemistry is proud to have a wide range of state-of-the-art instrumentation to support our classes. Students will gain hands on experience that can be used directly in industry, national labs, and acedemic careers.

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA)

• Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy is used to analyze metals such as Iron, Cobalt, Calcium, Magnesium, etc at ppm to ppb levels. Students in Chemistry 1A and 1B: General Chemistry will use this instrument.

Vernier Spectrometers and LabPro Interfaces

• Vernier Spectrometers and LabPro probes are computer interfaced for use in our chemistry classes to measure light absorption, temperature, pH, vapor pressure, etc.. This allows students to watch experiments in real time and process the data like they would in any modern scientific laboratory. (Images from Vernier.com)

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

• NMR is the primary technique used to solve the structure of organic compounds. Our instrument is relatively small (60 MHz) but we are able to probe the magnetic enviroments of both hydrogen and carbon in order to solve the puzzle of molecular structure. Chemistry 12A and 12B: Organic Chemistry students are the primary users of this instrument.

Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)

• Infrared Spectroscopy is used to look for bonds in organic molecules such as the O-H bond in an alcohol or the C-O bond in an ether. Our instrument is Fourier Transform (FT), meaning it can scan hundreds of wavelength simultaneously in a few seconds. We also have a reflectance attachment which allows easy scanning of both solids and liquids.
• (12A and 12B)

Gas Chromatography (GC)

• The three GCs shown are used to separate mixtures of compounds. It is often used to analyze environmental and biological samples and reaction mixtures. (Chem 12A and 12B)

Refractometry and Melting Point

• Refractometry (right) is an old technique to identify liquids by carefully measuring how they bend light. It is still very useful.
• The Melting Point Apparatus (left) allows for the careful measurement of melting points and boiling point for tiny samples. This instrument allows for careful control of temperatures.
• (Chem 12A and 12B)