Laboratory Manual for Chemistry

For courses in Chemistry Laboratory.

This comprehensive laboratory manual features 29 experiments with a focus on real-world applications. These experiments were written specifically to correspond with the 8th Edition of CHEMISTRY by Robinson/McMurry/Fay. Each experiment explores one or more topics, covered within a chapter in the textbook, with the goal of helping students understand the underlying concepts covered in the lecture course and allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in lecture to an actual situation where used. Each experiment discusses what it entails along with why it is important and where the concept and/or technique will be applied again. The labs are designed to replicate a typical research-style experience with experiments that are investigative in nature.

Jill K. Robinson received her Ph.D. in analytical and atmospheric chemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is a senior lecturer at Indiana University and teaches general, analytical, and environmental chemistry courses. Her clear and relatable teaching style has been honored with several awards including the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching at Indiana University and the J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education from the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry. She leads workshops to help faculty transition from lecture-based instruction to student-centered pedagogies.

John McMurry, educated at Harvard and Columbia, has taught more than 20,000 students in general and organic chemistry over a 40-year period. An emeritus professor of chemistry at Cornell University, Dr. McMurry previously spent 13 years on the faculty at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He has received numerous awards, including the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (1969—71), the National Institute of Health Career Development Award (1975—80), the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award (1986—87), and the Max Planck Research Award (1991).

Robert C. Fay, professor emeritus at Cornell University, taught general and inorganic chemistry at Cornell for 45 years beginning in 1962. Known for his clear, well-organized lectures, Dr. Fay was the 1980 recipient of the Clark Distinguished Teaching Award. He has also taught as a visiting professor at Harvard University and the University of Bologna (Italy). A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Oberlin College, Dr. Fay received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He has been an NSF Science Faculty Fellow at the University of East Anglia and the University of Sussex (England) and a NATO/Heineman Senior Fellow at Oxford University.

1. A. Measurement and Expression of Experimental Data

B. Graphing and Statistical Analysis

A math review, including practice with significant figures, rounding rules, graphing techniques, and statistical analysis.

2. A Submarine Adventure: Density Saves the Day

The concept of density is explored by measuring the density of a solid and a liquid and by developing a mock submarine.

3. Conservation of Matter

A reaction of copper nitrate and zinc is observed to determine if mass is conserved.

4. Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz: The Mass Percent of NaHCO3

The reaction of Alka-Seltzer® tablets with acetic acid is used to determine the mass percent of sodium bicarbonate present in each tablet.

5. Proof of Alcohol

An unknown alcohol solution is analyzed for the mass and volume percent of alcohol by separation methods.

6. Empirical Formula of a Compound

An unknown sample is analyzed for the empirical formula of a metal sample via a crucible and heating.

7. Pancake Mix as a Limiting Reactant

Determining the limiting reactant of two reactants and identifying the percent by mass composition of the original mixture.

8. Redox Reactions in Voltaic Cells: Construction of a Potential Series

Microscale unit cells of several metals are created and their potentials are measured to create a potential series.

9. Reactions in Aqueous Solutions: Strong Acids and Bases

The pH and concentration relationships for the reaction of HCl and NaOH are investigated.

10. The Copper Cycle

Watch copper metal react in various was to transform from a solid to a liquid back to a solid through a series of reactions.

11. Atomic Spectra

Several unknown light sources are identified by use of spectrometry.

12. Colligative Properties of Solutions

Exploring colligative properties by determining 1) the freezing point (Tf) of cyclohexane, 2) its molal freezing point constant (Kf) and 3) the freezing point depression (ΔTf).

13. Building Molecular Models

Lewis structures are presented in model form and investigated.

14. Calorimetry and Hess’s Law

The enthalpies of reaction are determined for both magnesium metal and magnesium oxide in water. These enthalpies are then used in conjunction with Hess’s Law to determine the enthalpy of reaction for magnesium burning in oxygen.

15. Gas Laws and Air Bags

Ideal gas law and stoichiometry are used to construct a working mock-up of an automobile airbag.

16. Intermolecular Forces and the Triple Point of CO2

Intermolecular forces are investigated by observing the temperature depression created when different solvents evaporate. The triple point of CO2 is observed and measured.

17. The Purification of Water

Fresh water samples are tested for phosphate before and after purification.

18. Kinetics: The Iodine Clock

The iodine clock reaction is measured at room, high, and low temperatures and its rate constant is determined.

19. Photometric Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

The equilibrium constant for the reaction of iron(III) thiocyanate is determined by photometric methods.

20. Analysis of Vitamin C in Fruit Juices by Titration

Titration will allow identify the concentrations of substances in solutions.

21. Murder Solved by the Analysis of a Kiss

Identify which lipstick was present at the crime scene by comparing chromatograms.

22. Entropy, Free Energy, and Chemical Equilibrium

The thermodynamics of the solubility of Ca(OH)2 are determined using titration.

23. Electrochemistry: The Nernst Equation

Unit cells are built from various metals and then tested at several temperatures. The free energy is determined using the Nernst equation.

24. Qualitative Analysis: Anions

Qualitative analysis is used to investigate the chemical properties of 11 anions, and those properties are used to identify the anions in an unknown sample.

25. Qualitative Analysis: Cations

A traditional qualitative analysis scheme is used to determine the group I—V cations in an unknown mixture.

26. Qualitative Analysis: Cations, Anions, and Complex Ions

A single-day, microscale qualitative analysis is used to determine the cations and anions in an unknown mixture.

27. Whodunit? A Forensic Investigation

A murder is investigated by means of several chemical forensic methods.

28. Chemical Structure and Smell

Several organic chemicals are investigated by relating their functional groups and structural similarities to their odors.

29. Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats: Analysis of a Peanut

The biochemical composition of a peanut is analyzed by use of acrolein, Fehling, and xanthoproteic chemical tests.

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms Used in This Manual

Appendix B: Excel Tutorial

Appendix C: Volumetric Glassware

Appendix D: Standard Reduction Potentials (in Volts), 25 °C

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