Basic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEMISTRY 1212
LAB NOTEBOOK FORMAT
General Format:
All experimental information such as data, calculations, and discussions are to be kept in the lab notebook. Never use any loose leaf notebook paper in the lab. Information on each section is given below.
A running Table of Contents is to be kept on the inside cover of the notebook.
There is to be NO WHITEOUT or ERASURES in the lab notebook. If an error occurs, then a single line is drawn through the error and the corrected value placed above or beside it.
You must write IN INK AND LEGIBLY. If it can not be read, then it can not be graded.
Leave a blank page after or before the experiment for taking notes (such as changes in the procedure or help with calculations) during the TA's prelab lecture.
Leave a 2nd blank page for taking the quiz. The quiz questions will be written on the board or on an overhead. You will write your answers in your notebook. When finished, the quiz will be torn out and turned into the Teaching Assistant.
Sections: Each experiment can be broken into the following sections:
Title and Objective
Procedure
Observations
Calculations (if appropriate)
Discussion / Conclusion
Subjective
Title and Objective: Always write the Title of the experiment at the top of the page and in the Table of Contents. The Objective or Purpose is the question to be explored in the experiment. It should be one to two sentences long. Do not copy the purpose from the lab manual.
Procedure: Cite or reference where the procedure is found. Also create a Chemical Alert Table with the name, formula, and chemical alert information for each chemical to be used in the experiment. Chemical alert information is found in the lab manual or in MSDS sheets found in the Stockroom (124 Choppin Hall).
Ex. The procedure for this experiment is in Laboratory Program for Chemistry 1212, 2nd ed., Linda R. Allen, Chemical Education Resources, Inc., Palmyra, PA on pages ___-___. See page ___ of this notebook for a procedure change.
|
Chemical Name |
Formula |
Chemical Alert |
|
Magnesium |
Mg |
flammable |
|
Hydrochloric acid |
HCl |
toxic and corrosive |
Observations: Record all of your observations, measurement and comments in this section. Organize a table for recording your data and observations BEFORE coming to lab. Having tables or charts ready in your notebook to fill in DURING the experiment will speed up your work in the lab, and will give you a better understanding of the experiment. For the first few labs, a sample data sheet is included in the manual as a guide on how to prepare a table or chart.
All numerical data must include units!
All chemical reactions must be included in this section
Ex. 2 Al(s) + 6 HCl(aq) --> 2 AlCl3(aq) + 3 H2(g)
|
Weight of Mg initial (g) |
10.12 g |
|
Vol. of HCl (mL) |
22.35 mL |
|
Observation of rxn of Mg in HCl |
Initially the metal was shiny. After 1 min. in the colorless HCl solution, bubbles began to form on the surface of the metal. |
Calculations: Calculate the results (if appropriate). Calculations are kept separate from the data tables. The calculations are to be during the lab, so you may get assistance from your TA if needed.
Write the equation first, then "plug in" the numbers for the variables. If you do subsequent calculations involving the same equation, you only have to show equation with numbers. Place a box around the FINAL answer so your TA can readily find the answers. YOU MUST ALWAYS SHOW YOUR WORK AND INCLUDE UNITS !!
Ex. Density = Mass/Volume
Densitybleach = 5.15 g bleach soln / 5.00 mL of bleach soln
|
Densitybleach = 1.03 g/mL |
Discussion: Summarize and discuss your results of the experiment. First, summarize and state the results of the experiment. Second, discuss your results and their quality. (Are your results different than expected? Did you have a low percent yield or low percent error?) Third, discuss errors or possible error(s) that occurred (or may have occurred) during the experiment. Fourth, discuss how these errors would affect your final results.
Some post lab questions will be assigned by your TA. The discussion should be a paragraph or two. The discussion and report will be completed and turned in BEFORE you leave the lab.
Subjective: This score, given by the TA, is a measure of a student's adherence to the safety rules and notebook style and evaluates the student's work in the lab (punctuality, cooperation, and cleanliness of the lab and/or work area.
Ex. 5 points will be deducted for failure to wear safety goggles or failure to prepare notebook prior to the experiment.
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