An Infrared Spectrometer determines the wavelength and absorbance of a sample in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared spectrometers are a major workhorse instrument for the analysis of organic compounds for two reasons. First, the analysis is fast and easy to perform, and second, every organic compound has a unique infrared spectrum that allows any compound to be uniquely identified.

Our instrument is a Matteson Genesis II FTIR. This machine is incorporated into labs in Survey, General Chemistry, Organic, and Analytical classes. Perhaps the most enjoyable lab is in the survey class, where the students fill a plastic garbage bag with auto exhaust, then transfer the exhaust gases into a gas cell and analyze the gas for CO and CO 2 content using the IR.