Chemistry 370
Fall Laboratory Experiments
Laboratory Text: Experiments In Physical Chemistry by Shoemaker, Garland and Nibler. 8th Edition.
Experiment # Lab Text # Experiment Title
1 (3) Heat Capacity Ratio for Gases
2 (6) Heats of Combustion
3 (8) Heats of Ionic Reaction
4 (10) Cryoscopic Determination of Molecular Weight.
5 (14) Binary Liquid-Vapor Phase Diagram
6 (17) Conductance of Solutions
7 (22) Enzyme Kinetics: Inversion of Sucrose
(+ handout)
8 (27) Intrinsic Viscosity: Chain Linkage in PVOH
9 (34) Absorption Spectrum of a Conjugated Dye.
10 (20) Initial Rates: Iodine Clock.
Laboratory Reports
1. All reports should be prepared on standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper with reasonable margins on both sides. The pages should be stapled together or bound in a folder. The report may be double-spaced typewritten or handwritten as long as it is legible and submitted in ink. Crossing out and insertion of corrections are permissible however, every attempt to keep the report as neat as possible should be made.
2. The following is the general format that should be used:
a. Title of report, name and date submitted.
b. Introduction - this section should contain the purpose of the experiment and a very brief outline of the necessary theory and a short description of the experimental method.
c. Data - data should be given in tabular format. The tables should indicate what kind of data is being presented including units. Pertinent information such as barometric pressure, temperature at which data was collected, etc. would also be included here.
d. Calculations - Presentation of all computations is unnecessary; however, a typical sample calculation of each different type should be given to illustrate how the calculations were performed. All other numerical results may tabulated as in (c) above.
e. Discussion of results - In this section, the final results of the experiment should be clearly presented. Every attempt should be made to answer discussion questions appearing at the end of the experiment as well as to obtain theoretical or literature values for comparison with your own. Possible sources of errors and\or experimental difficulties may also appear in this section; however, unless there are extenuating circumstances, the student is expected to obtain reasonable results for each experiment.
3. Graphs – Computer generated graphs are encouraged in order to take advantage of readily available technology. When straight-line data is to be plotted be sure and use a 1st order power series fit to the data (least squares fit of the data). If not, use a higher order fit to ensure as smooth of a curve as possible to the data points. If you decide to plot by hand, then use a sheet of good quality graph paper which has reasonable margins on all sides. Choose your axes so as to make best use of the area available. Plot experimental points as small dots with a sharp, hard pencil, and draw small circles (or squares, etc) around them for better visibility. For straight lines, perform a least-squares analysis and use a good straightedge such as a draftsman's transparent triangle or ruler to draw the best line through the points indicated. If a curve is indicated, use some type of french curve or similar implement to draw a smooth curve through your data points --- don't play connect the dots. Plain notebook paper with hand drawn divisions is not acceptable for plotting and extracting data.
4. Submission of Reports - All reports are due no later than two weeks after completion of the experiment. Late reports will be penalized at the rate of 10% per week
Grading: Lab reports will be graded using the following scale:
Category # of Points
On time, proper format & information 5
Graphs (if required) 1.5
Calculations (if graphs not required) 2 (3)
Discussion (if graphs not required) 1.5 (2)
Rotation Schedule
Chem 370 – Elementary Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Thursday / Group NumberI / II / III / IV
February 2nd / Check-in, review of safety rules, handouts and discussion of laboratory reports and experiments.
February 9th / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
February 16th / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
February 23rd / 9 / 10 / 2 / 3
March 1st / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
March 8th / 8 / 9 / 10 / 1
March 15th / Spring Break – No Lab
March 22nd / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
March 29th / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
April 5th / 10 / 1 / 5 / 2
April 12th / 3 / 4 / 1 / 6
April 19th / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
April 26th / Make-up Day & Lab Check-out
May 4th / Friday, May 4th, 2012 - All lab reports due.