“…In this paper, an experiment is presented in which students excite the azobenzene derivative o -methyl red with a laser pointer and monitor the spectral dynamics using a UV–vis spectrometer with a CCD array detector. Flash photolysis experiments have been proposed for use in teaching laboratories before, − but this experiment takes advantage of the slow isomerization reaction rate of o -methyl red in basic solutions and the ability of a spectrometer with a silicon CCD array detector to quickly collect spectra to examine the spectrum as a function of time. , Azobenzene derivatives are ideal for introducing kinetics concepts to undergraduate physical chemistry students because the rate to re-form the trans conformer from the photoexcited cis conformer is very molecule, solvent, and temperature dependent. ,− In this experiment, students observe how transient spectra change when the solvent is used as a reference and when the solution is used as a reference. Transient absorption dynamics, transient bleach dynamics, and an isosbestic point are observed.…”