This module will introduce the fundamental techniques required to work safely and efficiently in the laboratory. You will develop your skills in the safe handling of chemicals, in making accurate qualitative observations, quantitatively analysing compounds prepared in the laboratory, and in reporting and interpreting experimental results. You will learn about spectroscopic techniques and use these methods in the analysis of what you synthesise in the lab. You will use measurements of physical parameters to investigate aspects of physical chemistry.
Through preparing laboratory reports you will be introduced to the standard formats and drawing packages used by professional chemists to share their results. You will be tutored in the basic numeracy skills necessary to study a degree in the chemical sciences, and will apply these skills to your experimental work. The principles of Green Chemistry will be introduced, and you will learn how to assess the environmental impact of your laboratory work.
Outline Syllabus
Chemical hazards and risk assessments, sources of safety data, on-line databases, definitions and safety terms, exposure limits, legislation, CHIP, COSHH, REACH.
Data manipulation & presentation of results. Precision, accuracy & sensitivity, linear regression, units. Experimental errors & calibration. Validation of data. Statistical methods. Reporting & interpreting experimental results. Quantitative & qualitative measurements, Algebra, Differential calculus, Integral calculus, Trigonometry.
Green chemistry - Definitions & metrics used, the tools used to assess the environmental impact of chemical processes.
Purification of single & mixed substances. Separation & identification of mixtures by thin layer chromatography. Solvent extraction from solids & liquids. Experiments to illustrate thermodynamic equilibria & the variation of equilibrium position with temperature. Measurements of physical properties of states of matter; refractive index, boiling point & vapour pressure. Measurement of heats of reaction by calorimetry. Measurement of enthalpies of solution & partition coefficients. Experiments illustrating classical methods of inorganic analysis.
Laboratory techniques in separating organic mixtures: Elementary organic synthesis. Spectroscopic characterisation of organic & inorganic compounds.
Professional Development: Presenting information effectively, monitoring & evaluating results, drawing conclusions, chemical reports, chemical structure drawing.