INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL

• Lab Safety and Practices
  • The Lab Notebook
    
  • Lab Safety
  • Good Lab Practices
  • Measurements
  • Preparing Graphs
• Lab Equipment
  • Analytical Balance
    
  • Volumetric Glassware
  • Bunsen Burner
  • Centrifuge
• Instructional Videos
  • Cleaning & Conditioning a Buret
    
  • Titration
  • Cleaning a Buret
  • Laboratory Safety
  • Using an Analytical Balance
  • Using a Volumetric Flask
  • Pipeting Techniques

Periodic Table

Tables of Physical Data

LABORATORIES

• Lab 1 - Moles, Mass, and Volume
  Popcorn kernels and marbles are used for a relatable introduction to moles, mass, and volume.
  • Purpose
    
    To determine how many years it would take to count a mole of popcorn...
  • Goals
    
    To gain an understanding of the mole and Avogadro's number...
  • Introduction
    
    Atoms are extremely small. How small? Consider aluminum, a substance familiar to you. You know it as furniture (lawn chairs), pie pans, soft drink cans, and foil...
  • Equipment
    
    1 150 mL beaker, 1 50 mL graduated cylinder, 1 100 mL graduated cylinder, 1 timer, good to 1 second, ~50 uncooked popcorn kernels, 12 marbles, 1 deionized water squirt bottle
  • Reagents
    
    deionized water
  • Lab Procedure
    
    Obtain a small beaker and a jar of popcorn from the set-up area. If you have a watch with a second hand use it as your timer or use the clock on the wall in the lab...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 2 - Emission/Emission and Absorption
  • Emission with Flame Tests
    Flame tests are performed to determine the identity of ions in solution.
    • Purpose
      
      To determine the identities of ions in two solutions of unknown composition by comparing the colors they produce in flame tests with colors produced by solutions of known composition.
    • Goals
      
      To gain practice using a Bunsen burner...
    • Introduction
      
      When many people hear the word radiation, their first thought is something radioactive. However, a scientist thinks about energy moving through space in a series of waves called electromagnetic (EM) radiation or radiant energy...
    • Equipment
      
      1 Bunsen burner, 1 Nichrome wire loop, 1 30 mL beaker, 1 spot plate, 1 grease pencil, 1 deionized water squirt bottle
    • Reagents
      
      15 mL 3 M HCl (aq), 5 drops each known salt solution (0.1 M), 5 drops each unknown salt solution (0.1 M)
    • Lab Procedure
      
      Obtain a wire loop and a spot plate from the set-up area. Using a grease pencil, label the wells on the spot plate with the formulas of the solutions you will be testing...
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
  • Emission and Absorption
    In addition to the experiments from Emission with Flame Tests, this lab also includes a part in which a spectrophotometer is used to identify the wavelengths and colors that absorb for some food dyes and indicators.
    • Purpose
      
      To determine the identities of ions in two solutions of unknown composition by comparing the colors they produce in flame tests with colors produced by solutions of known composition...
    • Goals
      
      To gain practice using a Bunsen burner...
    • Introduction
      
      When many people hear the word radiation, their first thought is something radioactive. However, a scientist thinks about energy moving through space in a series of waves called electromagnetic (EM) radiation or radiant energy...
    • Equipment
      
      1 Bunsen burner, 1 Nichrome wire loop, 1 30 mL beaker, 1 spot plate, 1 grease pencil, 1 deionized water squirt bottle, 1 MicroLab spectrophotometer
    • Reagents
      
      15 mL 3 M HCl (aq), 5 drops each known salt solution (0.1 M), 5 drops each unknown salt solution (0.1 M),...
    • Part A Lab Procedure
      
      Obtain a wire loop and a spot plate from the set-up area. Using a grease pencil, label the wells on the spot plate with the formulas of the solutions you will be testing...
    • Part B Lab Procedure
      
      Make sure that the MicroLab interface is connected to the computer and that the power is turned on. When the power is on, a green light appears in the "o" of MicroLab on the left of the instrument...
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 3 - Solubility Rules
  Ions are mixed in various combinations to investigate trends in solubility and exceptions to the solubility rules.
  • Purpose
    
    To develop a set of solubility rules.
  • Goals
    
    To observe trends in solubility and exceptions to these trends...
  • Introduction
    
    Chemical reactions can be classified into five major classes...
  • Equipment
    
    1 250 mL beaker (for waste), 1 plastic 8 x 12 well plate, 1 test tube rack, 2+ small test tubes
  • Reagents
    
    ~3 drops 0.20 M NaCl, ~3 drops 0.20 M NaClO₄,...
  • Lab Procedure
    
    Obtain an 8 x 12 plastic well plate. You will be mixing ions in the well plate...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 4 - Qualitative Analysis I
  A qualitative separation scheme is followed to separate silver (I), mercury(I), and lead(II) cations in a mixture and identify which cation is present in an unknown mixture.
  • Purpose
    
    To develop a separation scheme and confirmatory tests for...
  • Goals
    
    To explore solubilities and reactivities of different metal ions...
  • Introduction
    
    Qualitative analysis is the process by which components of mixtures are separated and identified...
  • Equipment
    
    6 - small test tubes, 1 - test tube rack, 1 - test tube brush, 3 - glass stirring rods, 1 - 250 mL beaker for waste collection,...
  • Reagents
    
    0.1 M AgNO₃, 0.1 M Hg₂(NO₃)₂,...
  • Lab Procedure
    
    Determine among four students which pair will perform parts A and B, and which pair will perform parts C and D...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 5 - Molecular Geometry
  This lab addresses the molecular geometry of similar structures, bond length, bond order, and resonance structures with the use of molecular model kits as well as computer modeling software.
  • Purpose
    
    To explore some simple molecular structures...
  • Goals
    
    To compare Lewis structures to three-dimensional models...
  • Introduction
    
    The chemical and physical properties of covalently bonded materials are related to the spatial arrangement of the atoms and other electrons not involved in the actual bond formation...
  • Equipment
    
    1 Chem-Tutor model kit, 1 computer with internet browser, 1 Molecular Geometry In-Lab assignment in WebAssign
  • Reagents
    
    No chemicals will be used in this experiment.
  • Lab Procedure
    
    You will notice the format of this lab experiment is different than other experiments...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 6 - Solid State Modeling
  A solid-state model kit and ruler are used to explore solid state structures and unit cell stoichiometry.
  • Purpose
    
    To explore some simple solid state structures...
  • Goals
    
    To visualize the three dimensional arrangement of atoms and ions in common solid state structures...
  • Introduction
    
    The solid state is the least energetic of the three common states of matter. Atoms and ions are packed together in a regular arrangement...
  • Equipment
    
    1 Solid-State Model Kit, 1 ruler
  • Reagents
    
    No chemicals will be used in this experiment.
  • Lab Procedure
    
    You will notice the format of this lab experiment is different than other experiments. You will build a series of solid state structures...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 7 - Measuring Enthalpy Changes/Gas Laws
  • Measuring Enthalpy Changes
    Enthalpy changes are observed during various chemical processes.
    • Purpose
      
      To observe changes in enthalpy in chemical processes.
    • Goals
      
      To identify exothermic and endothermic processes...
    • Introduction
      
      Chemical processes occur spontaneously when they lower the free energy of the system. The free energy at constant temperature and pressure is the Gibbs free energy,...
    • Equipment
      
      1 30 mL beaker, 1 100 mL beaker, 1 10 mL graduated cylinder, 1 digital thermometer, 4 small test tubes,...
    • Reagents
      
      ~2 g CaCl₂(s, anhydrous), ~2 g NH₄NO₃(s), 1 mL 1 M NaOH(aq),...
    • Lab Procedure
      
      Use a spoon-type spatula to dispense anhydrous solid CaCl₂ into a dry 30 mL beaker. One spoonful, not heaping, is plenty...
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
  • Measuring Enthalpy Changes and Gas Laws
    Another part, which investigates the relationship between the volume and pressures of gases, is added to the experiments from Measuring Enthalpy Changes...
    • Purpose
      
      To observe changes in enthalpy in chemical processes...
    • Goals
      
      To identify exothermic and endothermic processes...
    • Introduction
      
      Chemical processes occur spontaneously when they lower the free energy of the system. The free energy at constant temperature and pressure is the Gibbs free energy,...
    • Equipment
      
      1 30 mL beaker, 1 100 mL beaker, 1 10 mL graduated cylinder, 1 Microlab interface,...
    • Reagents
      
      ~2 g CaCl₂(s, anhydrous), ~2 g NH₄NO₃(s), 1 mL 1 M NaOH(aq),...
    • Lab Procedure
      
      Open the MicroLab program. Calibrate the thermistor as described in the MicroLab instructions provided in the lab...
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 8 - Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle
  Various changes are made to a system at equilibrium and the effects are observed.
  • Purpose
    
    To observe systems at equilibrium, and to determine what happens when stresses are applied to such systems.
  • Goals
    
    To observe the effect on equilibrium of adding or removing products and reactants...
  • Introduction
    
    Many chemical systems are considered to be reversible. For example, drop the temperature of water to...
  • Equipment
    
    2 30 mL beakers, 1 100 mL beaker, 1 ceramic spot plate, 2 glass stir rods, 1 hot plate, 1 250 mL beaker for waste collection, 1 deionized water squirt bottle
  • Reagents
    
    ~3 mL 0.010 M Fe(NO₃)₃, ~1 mL 0.10 M Fe(NO₃)₃, ~1 mL 0.05 M NaSCN,...
  • Lab Procedure
    
    In five wells on a ceramic spot plate, place 2 drops of 0.05 M NaSCN (sodium thiocyanate), 2 drops of 0.01 M Fe(NO₃)₃ solution, and 3 drops of deionized water...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 9 - Titrations
  An acid-base titration of vinegar is performed to determine the concentration of acetic acid.
  • Purpose
    
    To determine the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar.
  • Goals
    
    To perform an acid-base titration...
  • Introduction
    
    Many laboratories analyze consumer products to determine accuracy in the labeling of the product. The very common and simple technique of titration is demonstrated in this experiment...
  • Equipment
    
    1 10.0 mL graduated cylinder, 1 30 mL beaker, 1 100 mL beaker, 1 25 mL buret, 1 ring stand and buret clamp,...
  • Reagents
    
    ~50 mL 0.5 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ~25 g commercial vinegar (HC₂H₃O₂), ~1 mL phenolphthalein solution, deionized water
  • Lab Procedure
    
    Obtain a clean, dry 10.0 mL graduated cylinder...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 10 - Acid-Base Studies
  • Acid-Base Studies
    A pH meter is used to measure the pH of a variety of solutions.
    • Purpose
      
      To measure pH's in a variety of solutions and mixtures and to account for the results obtained.
    • Goals
      
      To learn to use pH paper and a pH meter to measure the pH of a given solution...
    • Introduction
      
      Many substances can be classified as acids or bases. There are three definitions used to describe acids and bases, but we consider only the Bronsted definition here...
    • Equipment
      
      1 30 mL beaker, 1 10 mL graduated cylinder, 1 glass stir rod, 7 medium test tubes, 1 test tube rack, 1 pH meter, 1 pH paper, 1 plastic work surface, 1 deionized water squirt bottle
    • Reagents
      
      ~25 mL 0.10 M HCl, ~10 mL 0.010 M HCl, ~10 mL 0.0010 M HCl,...
    • Lab Procedure
      
      In this experiment, you will be using pH meters. They have electrodes with a thin glass bulb at the tip...
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
  • Acid-Base Studies with MicroLab Interface
    This lab uses the MicroLab Interface and pH electrode for measuring pH values. It also includes calibration of this pH meter.
    • Purpose
      
      To measure pH's in a variety of solutions and mixtures and to account for the results obtained.
    • Goals
      
      To learn to use pH paper and a pH meter to measure the pH of a given solution...
    • Introduction
      
      Many substances can be classified as acids or bases. There are three definitions used to describe acids and bases, but we consider only the Bronsted definition here...
    • Equipment
      
      1 30 mL beaker, 1 10 mL graduated cylinder, 1 glass stir rod, 7 medium test tubes, 1 test tube rack,...
    • Reagents
      
      ~25 mL 0.010 M HCl, ~10 mL 0.0010 M HCl, ~10 mL 0.00010 M HCl,...
    • Lab Procedure
      
      In this experiment, you will be using pH meters. They have electrodes with a thin glass bulb at the tip...
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 11 - Redox Reactions
  • Redox Reactions with Simple Electrochemical Cells
    The relative strengths of oxidizing and reducing agents are determined as well as the half-cell potentials using simple electrochemical cells.
    • Purpose
      
      To determine relative oxidizing and reducing strengths of a series of metals and ions.
    • Goals
      
      To explore the relative oxidizing and reducing strengths of different metals...
    • Introduction
      
      The movement or transfer of electrons is central to our understanding of chemical reactions...
    • Equipment
      
      1 ceramic spot plate, 3 30 mL beakers, 1 deionized water squirt bottle, 4 electrochemical cell set-ups on the side shelf of the lab
    • Reagents
      
      ~6 drops 0.1 M Cu(NO₃)₂, ~6 drops 0.1 M Mg(NO₃)₂, ~6 drops 0.1 M KMnO₄ (acidic),...
    • Lab Procedure
      
      For this lab, Part A will be set up at your lab station. During the lab period, each pair should take turns going to the side shelf to record measurements for Part B.
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
  • Redox Reactions with MicroLab Interface
    This lab uses the MicroLab Multi-EChem Half Cell Module and MicroLab Interface to determine half-cell potentials instead of simple electrochemical cells.
    • Purpose
      
      To determine relative oxidizing and reducing strengths of a series of metals and ions.
    • Goals
      
      To explore the relative oxidizing and reducing strengths of different metals...
    • Introduction
      
      The movement or transfer of electrons is central to our understanding of chemical reactions...
    • Equipment
      
      1 ceramic spot plate, 3 30 mL beakers, 1 deionized water squirt bottle,...
    • Reagents
      
      ~6 drops 0.1 M Cu(NO₃)₂, ~6 drops 0.1 M Mg(NO₃)₂, ~6 drops 0.1 M KMnO₄ (acidic),...
    • Lab Procedure
      
      For this lab, Part A will be set up at your lab station. During the lab period, each pair should take turns going to the side shelf to record measurements for Part B.
    • Worksheet
      
      You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...
• Lab 12 - Qualitative Analysis II
  A qualitative separation scheme is followed to separate iron(III), barium, and silver (I) cations in a mixture and identify which cation is present in an unknown mixture.
  • Purpose
    
    To develop a separation scheme and confirmatory tests for Fe³⁺, Ba²⁺, and Ag⁺ cations, and to use it to identify the ions in a sample of unknown composition.
  • Goals
    
    To explore solubilities and reactivities of different metal ions...
  • Introduction
    
    Qualitative analysis is the process by which components of mixtures are separated and identified...
  • Equipment
    
    6 small test tudes, 1 test tube rack, 1 test tube brush, 3 glass stirring rods,...
  • Reagents
    
    In dropper bottles: 0.10 M Fe(NO₃)₃, 0.10 M Ba(NO₃)₂, 0.10 M AgNO₃,...
  • Lab Procedure
    
    In a 4 x 6 plastic well plate, prepare a three by three grid of cation solutions and confirmatory reagents...
  • Worksheet
    
    You will use a hard copy of this worksheet to enter data as you work through the experiment. Print the worksheet and bring it with you to the lab...

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