JCE Software, 4B1: SPEC 20

SPEC 20

Ralph W. Gable
Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28036
James A. McCormick
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706

Note:
Series B (MS DOS) software previously included on the General Chemistry Collection CD-ROM is now available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers.
Go to the download page.

This program is a VGA adaptation of Project SERAPHIM's SPEC 20 (1) simulator of the Bausch and Lomb SPECTRONIC-20 spectrophotometer. It shows the instrument on screen and provides full user control, including selection and dilution of samples, using either mouse or keyboard control. Onscreen prompts of currently available operations are continually updated, and help with instrument operation or interpretation of results is always available.
The instrument responds realistically whether or not the choice of sample or instrument operating conditions is appropriate. Intensity of and response to the simulated light source are appropriately dependent upon wavelength; failure to align or wipe the cuvette causes a small random error. Any one of five solutes may be chosen at any desired concentration of stock solution. The program then provides five cuvettes: stock, three dilutions, and one unknown. The analog meter shows %T, which must be read and recorded; data can then be displayed as a table of %T, absorbance, and concentration, or plotted as any combination of %T or A against concentration or wavelength. The full spectrum is displayed if requested.

The Spectronic 20 simulator.
Three exercises of increasing complexity are provided: (1) determination of concentration, (2) determination of an absorbance spectrum, and (3) suitable choice of concentration for measurements.
Hardware and Software Requirements
SPEC 20 requires a MS-DOS/IBM-compatible computer with at least 256 K of RAM, at least one disk drive, and a VGA graphics (CGA, MCGA, EGA, or Hercules will not work)
Literature Cited

Gable, R. W. J. Chem. Educ. 1988, 65, 26-27.

First Published: April 1991
Citation: Gable, R. W.; McCormick, J. A. SPEC 20 J. Chem. Educ. Software 4B1
Keywords: Lecture Aid; Computer Room; Simulation; High School; General; Analytical; Visible spectrophotometry

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Last Updated: April 27, 2001
Created: December 4, 1996 Created by: J. L. Holmes
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.



SPEC 20
Ralph W. Gable Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28036 James A. McCormick University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706

Note:	Series B (MS DOS) software previously included on the General Chemistry Collection CD-ROM is now available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers. Go to the download page.

This program is a VGA adaptation of Project SERAPHIM's SPEC 20 (1) simulator of the Bausch and Lomb SPECTRONIC-20 spectrophotometer. It shows the instrument on screen and provides full user control, including selection and dilution of samples, using either mouse or keyboard control. Onscreen prompts of currently available operations are continually updated, and help with instrument operation or interpretation of results is always available. The instrument responds realistically whether or not the choice of sample or instrument operating conditions is appropriate. Intensity of and response to the simulated light source are appropriately dependent upon wavelength; failure to align or wipe the cuvette causes a small random error. Any one of five solutes may be chosen at any desired concentration of stock solution. The program then provides five cuvettes: stock, three dilutions, and one unknown. The analog meter shows %T, which must be read and recorded; data can then be displayed as a table of %T, absorbance, and concentration, or plotted as any combination of %T or A against concentration or wavelength. The full spectrum is displayed if requested. The Spectronic 20 simulator. Three exercises of increasing complexity are provided: (1) determination of concentration, (2) determination of an absorbance spectrum, and (3) suitable choice of concentration for measurements. Hardware and Software Requirements SPEC 20 requires a MS-DOS/IBM-compatible computer with at least 256 K of RAM, at least one disk drive, and a VGA graphics (CGA, MCGA, EGA, or Hercules will not work) Literature Cited Gable, R. W. J. Chem. Educ. 1988, 65, 26-27.


News \| Issues \| CD-ROM / Video \| Find It! \| Technical Support \| For Authors
JCE Online \| Journal \| Software \| Internet \| Happenings \| About JCE \| Contact JCE

Last Updated: April 27, 2001 Created: December 4, 1996	Created by: J. L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.