School based assessment labs

Planning and designing labs

1. Problem: One man found an orchid in Asia and another man found a similar orchid in Europe.
They wondered if both orchids contained the same pigments. Plan and design an experiment these
men could use to solve their problem.

2. Problem: It was observed that green- skinned fruits are more sour than ripe-skinned fruits. Pan
and design an experiment to verify this observation.

                                                 Or

Problem: The labels of three different brands of vinegar were examined, kitchen Aid, Spicy
Delight and Tasty Vinegar. All brands showed a similar percentage of ethanoic acid. Plan and
design an experiment to test this claim.

3. Problem: The lab assistant knocked over two unlabeled bottles containing hydrocarbons.
He was uncertain which container contained the alkane and which contained the alkene.
Plan and design an experiment to solve his problem. Burning is not an option 

Other labs

Lab # 1

Date:

Topic: States of Matter

Aim: to investigate the rate of diffusion in two gases

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

1.      Use tweezers to place one cotton ball in hydrochloric acid and another in aqueous ammonia.

2.      Squeeze excess liquid from both cotton balls set up apparatus as shown in the diagram below

Insert diagram of setup

3.      Note all observations including the actual distance travelled by each gas and the estimated
time taken for the gases to meet.

Observation: Include diagram with final measurements and ring.

Discussion:

1.      In one sentence explain your observation

2.      name the substance formed.

3.      Why was the substance not formed at the center of the tube?

4.      How does your observation support the kinetic theory of matter?

Conclusion

Lab # 2

Date:

Topic: States of Matter                                                                                                                      

Aim: to investigate osmosis in plant cells

Apparatus/ Materials:

Method: (Please write in PAST TENSE)

1.      Make 6 strips of potato with measurements 5cm x 1cm x 1cm.

2.      Observe each strip for appearance, texture, flexibility and length

3.      Measure 3g of sugar and place in a container

4.      Measure 3g of salt and place in another container

5.      Measure 50cm3 of water pour in container with salt and stir until salt is dissolved

6.      Measure 50cm3 of water pour in container with sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved
7.      Measure 50cm3 of water pour in another container

8.      Place 2 potato strips in pure water, 2 in salt solution and the other 2 sugar solution.

9.      Leave for 30 minutes and then observe

10.  Record all observations

Observation:

Discussion: Explain observations clearly accounting for any differences which might have
occurred between samples

Conclusion

Lab #3

Date:

Topic: Separating Mixtures

Aim: to separate the following mixtures using suitable techniques:

a)      Sand and copper sulphate

b)      Oil and water

c)      Ammonium chloride and sodium chloride

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

1.      Carefully examine each mixture and observe the physical properties such as particle size and
solubility.

2.      Use the knowledge of separating techniques to successfully separate each mixture into
different components.

3.      Use labelled diagrams to illustrate the technique used to separate each mixture.

4.      For each separation conducted, explain why the technique used is most appropriate.
Diagrams

Discussion: Explain clearly why each technique was used.

Conclusion

 Lab #4

Date:

Topic: Separating Mixtures

Aim: to separate the components of black ink

Apparatus/ Materials:

Method:

1.      Cut strips of filter paper 10cm long and 1cm wide.

2.      Place a bright spot of black ink on the filter paper 1cm from the bottom.

3.      The apparatus was set up as shown below:

Place diagrams of the set up you did here.

Observation:

Include the final strips of paper you had collected.

Discussion:

1.      Did the ink separate equally in both solvents? Discuss.

2.      How was the solvent able to separate the ink into its components?

Conclusion

  
Lab #5

Date:

Topic: Physical and Chemical Properties of Metals

Aim: to test for the presence of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

1.      Place a small sample of sulphuric acid in a test tube.

2.      Place a small sample of lime water in another test tube.

3.      Place a small piece of magnesium ribbon in the test tube with sulphuric acid and connect
both tubes with a delivery tube.

4.      Record changes in test tubes.

5.      Repeat step 1

6.      Place a piece of magnesium ribbon on the test tube and quickly cover the opening of the test
tube for two minutes.

7.      Uncover the test tube and quickly place a burning splint over the opening of the test tube.

8.      Observe and record changes.

9.      Repeat steps 1-8 using hydrochloric acid and sodium carbonate.

Results:

    Reaction of gas produced

with

Reaction Observatio Lime water Burning Splint

n

Magnesium ribbon and sulphuric acid      

Sodium carbonate and hydrochloric      

acid
Discussion:

1.      The molecular and ionic reaction for the reaction of magnesium and sulphuric acid.

2.      The molecular and ionic equation for the reaction of sodium carbonate and hydrochloric
acid.

3.      Which gas was tested for using the lime water and burning splint?

4.      The equation for the reaction of lime water and carbon dioxide.

5.      The equation for the reaction of the burning splint and hydrogen.

6.      Why was the test tube covered for two minutes before testing with the burning splint?

Conclusion:

Lab #6

Date:

Topic: Physical and chemical Properties of Materials

Aim: to investigate the reactions of acids with metals, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates and
bases.

Apparatus/ Materials

Method and Observation:

    Reaction of gas produced

with:

Test Observatio Lime Burning

n water splint
Add magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric acid      
together in a test tube.

Add copper (II) chloride and hydrochloric acid      

together in a test tube.

Add sodium hydrogen carbonate and sulphuric acid      

together in a test tube.

Add copper (II) oxide and sulphuric acid together in      

a beaker then heat.

Discussion:

1.      The molecular and ionic equations for each reaction.

2.      Which gas was tested for using the lime water and burning splint?

3.      Write the chemical equation for each reaction in #2.

4.      Why were there no observations with the reactions of copper (II) oxide and sulphuric acid?

Conclusion

 
Lab #7

Date:

Topic: Soluble Salts

Aim: to prepare a sample of copper (II) sulphate

Apparatus/ Materials

Diagram of Apparatus

Method:

1.      Measure 50cm3 of sulphuric acid and place in a beaker.

2.      Gently heat the beaker and add solid copper (II) oxide bit by bit until in excess.

3.      Stir the mixture gently while its being heated.

4.      Record observations.

5.      Filter the mixture while still warm.

6.      Place the filtrate in an evaporating dish and heat gently until some of the water evaporates
and crystals start to form.

7.      Remove evaporating dish from the heat and leave the solution to crystallize.

Observation

Discussion:

1.      The molecular equation for the reaction.

2.      Why was the acid heated?

3.      Why was the copper oxide added in excess?

4.      Why was the solution filtered while still warm?

5.      Name the filtrate and residue.

6.      Why wasn’t it possible to use copper metal for the reaction?

7.      Write the formula of the salt formed.

8.      Name the substances used to prepare lead (II) nitrate.
Precautions

Conclusion

Lab# 8

Date:

Topic:  Preparation of Salts

Aim: to prepare samples of lead iodide and coper (II) hydroxide by ionic precipitation

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

1.      Place 15cm3 of aqueous lead nitrate in a boiling tune then add 30cm3 of aqueous potassium
iodide to it.

2.      Filter the mixture, rinse the precipitate with distilled water then slowly dry it in the oven.

3.      Repeat steps 1 and 2 using aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous copper (II) sulphate.

Observation

Discussion

1.      The molecular and ionic equations for both reactions.

2.      Name the precipitate formed in both cases.

Conclusion

 Lab # 9 & 10

PD
Lab# 11 Skill Measurement and Manipulation

Date:

Topic: Standard Solutions

Aim; to prepare a 200cm3 standard solution of a 0.5moldm-3sodium carbonate by diluting a

known mass of solid in a definite volume of solution.

Apparatus/Materials

Method:

1.      Calculate the amount of sodium hydroxide needed.

2.      Weigh out the exact mass calculated using an electronic balance.

3.      Transfer all the weighed solid to a beaker and add water to dissolve the solid.

4.      Transfer the solution to a volumetric flask with the use of a funnel rinsing the beaker at least
once to ensure all the dissolved solid is transferred.

5.      Add more water to the flask to bring the volume to capacity.

6.      Shake the solution to ensure it is completely homogeneous.

Sources of error: At least 2

Conclusion

 
 Lab # 12

Date:

Topic: Thermometric Titration

Aim: to neutralize 25cm3 of a 2 mol/dm3 sodium hydroxide solution using 2 mol/dm3 sulphuric
acid

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

1.      Measure 25cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution and place in a Styrofoam cup.

2.      Use a thermometer to measure the initial temperature of the solution.

3.      Fill the burette to the zero mark with the acid.

4.      Pour 2cm3 of acid from the burette into the alkali and stir ensuring the thermometer is not
removed from the solution at any time.

5.      Take the reading on the thermometer when there is no further increase.

6.      Repeat steps 4 and 5 until further portions of the acid produces no change in temperature and
a fall in temperature occurs.

7.      Record the results in a table as shown below:

Volume of acid used/cm3 Temperature/

0  

2  
8.      Plot a graph of temperature vs volume of acid used.

Treatment of results: Compare the volume of acid used to the temperature change observed.
Record the maximum temperature reached and the volume of acid used at that temperature.

Sources of Error: At least 2

Conclusion

 
 Lab #13

Date:

Topic: Volumetric Analysis

Aim: to determine the concentration of a solution of hydrochloric acid using standard sodium
hydroxide

Apparatus/Materials

Method:

1.      Clean the burette and other equipment and place the burette properly on the stand.

2.      Place the acid into the burette and let out to zero or any other convenient reading.

3.      Pipette 25cm3 of NaOH in a conical flask then add a few drops of methyl orange indicator to
the solution to obtain a light yellow colour.

4.      Note the initial reading on the burette then add the acid to the flask shaking the flask after
each addition of acid, until there is a colour change to a reddish tint. (Add the acid drop by drop
towards the end point).

5.      Note the burette reading.

6.      Repeat titration until two successive readings are obtained within 0.1cm3 of each other.

7.      Record the results in a table as shown below.

Results:

Titration No. Rough 1 2 3

Final burette reading        

Initial burette reading        

Volume of acid used/ cm3        

 

1.      Volume of acid used in calculation: Average the volumes

2.      Volume of NaOH used

Treatment of Results:

1.      Equation for the reaction

2.      Mole Ratio

3.      Calculate the number of moles of NaOH in 25cm3 of NaOH.

4.      Calculate the number of moles of hydrochloric acid in the volume of acid used.

5.      Determine the molar concentrating of hydrochloric acid.

Sources of Error/ Limitations: At least 2

Conclusion

Lab # 14

Date:

Topic: Qualitive Analysis

Aim: to examine the action of dilute sodium hydroxide and dilute aqueous ammonia on metal
ions

Apparatus/ Materials: substances labelled A - E, Sodium hydroxide, dilute ammonia, lead iodide
and hydrochloric acid.

Method:

The experiments was carried out as shown on the table below and and the observations were.

Solution containing Test with dilute sodium Test with dilute ammonium Cation
cations hydroxide hydroxide

A Dropwise: Dropwise:  

Excess: Excess:

B      
C      

D      

E      

F      

G      

H      
 

Further Confirmatory Tests

Tests Observation Cation

Add KI to F    

Add HCl to F    

Add D to KI    

Add D to HCl    
 

Conclusion

 
Lab # 15

Date:

Topic: Organic Chemistry

Aim: to investigate the reactions of ethanol

Apparatus/ Materials

Method Observation Inference

Ignite a small sample of ethanol    

add a small piece of sodium metal to 5cm3 of ethanol    

Add 2cm3 of acidified potassium dichromate (VI) to 2cm3 of    

ethanol. Warm gently.

Add 1.00cm3 of glacial acetic acid to 1cm3 of ethanol in a test    

tube. Add 0.5cm3 concentrated sulphuric acid then warm the
mixture gently. Pour contents into a small beaker of cold water.

Put a ball of cotton soaked in ethanol in a test tube. With the test    
tube in a horizontal position, heat a small portion of aluminium
oxide in it near the top. Test the gas given off with a strip of filter
paper dipped in acidified potassium manganate (VII)

 
lab# 16

P D 

Lab # 17

Topic: Metallic Compounds

Aim: to compare the reactions of two metal carbonates on heating.

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

1.      Set up apparatus as shown below:

Insert diagram of set up you had conducted using the boiling tubes.

2.      Heat 20g of sodium carbonate and copper carbonate separately and thoroughly.

3.      Record any observable changes in the carbonates and lime water.

Observation

Discussion:

1.      Equations for heating both compounds.

2.      Equation for the reaction of lime water and carbon dioxide.

Conclusion

Lab #18

Topic: Electrolysis

Aim: to carry out the electrolysis of aqueous copper (II) sulphate using graphite electrodes.

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:

Set up apparatus as shown in the diagram below:

Insert diagram of electrolytic cell for copper (II) sulphate solution

Observation

Discussion:

1.      Ions present in the electrolyte

2.      Reactions at the electrodes

3.      Deduce the reason for the discharge of ions\

4.      Identify products formed at the electrodes

5.      Identify reactions as oxidation/reduction

6.      Diagram

Conclusion

Lab #19

Topic: Rate of Reaction

Aim: to determine how rate of reaction varies with temperature

Apparatus/ materials

Method:

1.      Measure 10cm3 of sodium thiosulphate and place in a beaker.

2.      Warm the solution to a temperature of 36 ◦C.

3.      Place the solution on a white paper with a cross.

4.      Pour 5cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid into the beaker with the sodium thiosulphate solution
and record the time to taken for the cross to disappear with a stopwatch.

5.      Repeat at least once then continue the process using the following temperatures: 40◦C, 50◦C,
60◦C, 70◦c and 80◦C.

6.      Record the results in a table.

7.      Plot a graph to represent rate against temperature.

Results:

Temperature of sodium Time taken for cross to Rate of reaction (i/t)/

thiosulphate/◦C disappear/s s-1

35    

40    

50    

60    

70    

80    
 

Discussion

Sources of Error: At least 2

Variable Manipulated

Conclusion

Lab #20

Topic: Energy and Energetics

Aim: to calculate the heat of neutralization of a strong acid and alkali

Apparatus/ Materials

Method:
1.      Measure 25cm3 of 2mol/dm3 hydrochloric acid and place in a Styrofoam cup noting its
temperature.

2.      Measure 25cm3 of 2mol/dm3 sodium hydroxide and add it to the acid in the cup.

3.      Stir the solution with the thermometer and record the highest temperature reached.

Results:

1.      Temperature of 2mol/dm3 HCl

2.      Temperature of 2mol/dm3 NaOH

3.      Final temperature of the solution

4.      Temperature change

Treatment of Results:

1.      Balanced equation for the reaction.

2.      Calculate the heat change for the reaction.

3.      Calculate the heat of neutralization.

Sources of Error/ Limitations: At least 2

Assumption

Conclusion:

Include Energy Profile Diagram

Lab # 21 - Implementation Lab