Chemisode Spectra LabVCE Chemistry learning simulation

Chemisode Spectra Lab

Choose a spectroscopy technique

Start with the instrument or spectrum you want to explore. Each technique has a “How it works”, interpretation and question-bank section.

m/z

Mass spectrometry

Follow ionisation, fragmentation and separation by mass-to-charge ratio.

Open mass spectrometry
IR

Infrared spectroscopy

Connect IR absorption with bond vibration, functional groups and the fingerprint region.

Open IR spectroscopy
¹³C

¹³C NMR spectroscopy

Count carbon environments, recognise symmetry and use chemical shift to identify carbon environments.

Open ¹³C NMR
¹H

¹H NMR spectroscopy

Use environments, integration, splitting and chemical shift to connect hydrogen environments.

Open ¹H NMR
Combine the evidence

Spectra investigation

Apply composition analysis, MS, IR, ¹³C NMR and ¹H NMR to 20 unknown compounds without labelled peaks or functional-group hints.

Open the investigation

A logical VCE analysis flow

This mirrors the way exam questions often build evidence. Click technical terms for a definition.

Combustion analysisFind the simplest C:H:O ratio.
Mass spectrumUse the to estimate Mr.
IR spectrumIdentify likely bonds and functional groups.
¹³C NMRCount carbon environments and locate carbonyl carbons.
¹H NMRUse shift, integration and splitting to connect fragments.
Important: A spectrum is evidence, not a picture of the molecule. Several different structures can share one feature, so check that every major piece of evidence fits.

Learning goals

  • Explain, at a particle level, how MS, IR and NMR signals are produced.
  • Link a selected peak or band to the relevant fragment, bond or chemical environment.
  • Interpret simple spectra using VCE data-book ranges.
  • Distinguish evidence that suggests a functional group from evidence that confirms a whole structure.

How to use this site

  1. Open an instrument and use “How it works” to follow the instrumentation workflow.
  2. Use “Interpret a spectrum” to link structure regions with peaks, bands or NMR environments.
  3. Complete the question bank as four sets of five questions.
  4. Finish with the Spectra Investigation and combine all analytical evidence.

Sources and scope

The learning sequence is aligned to VCE Chemistry Unit 4 Area of Study 2. Definitions follow standard IUPAC terminology. Example spectra are deliberately simplified and use representative school-level peak positions and fragments; real measured spectra contain extra small peaks, noise and instrument-dependent differences.

Reference notes

Curriculum: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Chemistry teaching and learning resources, Unit 4 Area of Study 2. Terminology: IUPAC Gold Book. Reference spectrum checks: NIST Chemistry WebBook. These references are not required for the website to run.