For decades now, the laser has been used as a handy device for performing ray traces in geometrical optics demonstrations and laboratories. For many ray- trace applications, I have found the laser level 3 to be even more visually compelling and easy for student use than the laser pointer.

Diffraction gratings are often used in the laboratory to determine the wavelength of laser light. What happens to the spots on the screen if the grating is rotated in this set-up? The answer is nontrivial and instructive.

Gives upper level chemistry students a better understanding of the application of lasers in the field of spectroscopy. Provides three experiments to demonstrate the thermal lens effect: determination of beam profile, cell position optimization, and pKa determination. (MVL)