In a recent two-part review on NSTA Recommends, reviewer and educator Martin Horejsi used the to describe his experiences with his high school chemistry and physics students throughout multiple investigations. During one of the investigations, he used the spectrophotometer and a compatible optical fiber to explore various spectrum-specific light bulbs, including both frosted and clear bulbs with different wattages. He was able to use the spectrophotometer to measure the wavelength spectrum and draw conclusions about the types of bulbs on the market today. He said:

“So now when I see interesting light bulbs and light sources, I try to imagine what the wavelength spectrum looks like. And given the rapid evolution of LED lights and light applications, I cannot easily think of a limit to the educational applications of the Vernier Go Direct^® SpectroVis^® Plus Spectrophotometer.”

In another investigation, Martin used the Go Direct^® SpectroVis^® Plus Spectrophotometer to teach his students about the transmission and absorption spectrum of a fluid. After preparing the liquid using isopropyl alcohol and a kale leaf, the class used the spectrophotometer to view and investigate the sample’s absorbance spectrum. Martin then engaged students in a whole-class discussion about the findings, in which he said:

“While running this analysis projected onto a large screen with a classroom full of students, I posed the question of what would the spectrum curve look like for transmittance, or reflectance, as we like to think of it. A student slowly approached the whiteboard with the giant projected absorbance spectrum curve and tentatively plotted some data points opposite the existing graph. As the mental gymnastics went into overtime, it was clear that the undeniable inverse within science was inescapable. The reflectance could be nothing other than the opposite of the absorbance.”

With the Go Direct^® SpectroVis^® Plus Spectrophotometer, students can easily and wirelessly collect a full wavelength spectrum—absorbance, percent transmission, or intensity—in less than one second. The spectrophotometer can be used in a variety of spectroscopy experiments including determining the peak wavelength to collect data on solution concentration for studies of Beer’s law or to monitor rates of reaction; collecting a full wavelength spectrum to measure absorbance, percent transmittance, fluorescence, or emissions; conducting enzyme kinetics experiments; and more.