12.
1
Experimental
techniques and
chemical
12.1 Experimental techniques
and chemical analysis
APPARATUS
Apparatus are the various instruments and
the containers that are used to perform
different experiments and to take different
measurements.
Itis extremely important that these
apparatuses are finely tuned and accurate as
their accuracy derives the findings and
measurements of the experiment.
SI UNITS
SI Units are the relative
standard units of
measurements that are used
for different measurements
throughout the subject.
MASS
Mass is referred to as the “amount of matter” a substance holds within.
The units used for mass are Kg (Kilogram), g(Gram) and for even smaller objects mg(milligram).
The conversation for these units is as follows:
1 Kg= 1000 g
1 g= 1000 mg
There are two kinds of balances used to measure mass.
1. Beam Balance: this apparatus has a pan on one end and movable mass on one end.
As you place the sample on to the pan, the objective is to move the mass along the scale as the
beam becomes horizontal.
The accuracy of the reading depends on the skill level of the person carrying out the experiment.
MASS
2. Electronic Balance: this apparatus has a digital display that
gives the reading to its nearest 0.01g as the sample is placed on to
the pan. An Electronic Balance is extremely easy to use and accurate.
VOLUME
How much space something
takes up.
The units used for volume are
dm3(decimeter cube), m3(cubic
meter) and for even smaller
objects cm3(cubic centimeter).
APPARATUS
VOLUME APPARATUS
1. Beaker :
To measure volumes of
liquids approximately
according to the graduated
marks on the apparatus
VOLUME APPARATUS
2. Volumetric flask:
To accurately measure fixed
volumes of liquids when
solutions of flask particular
concentrations need to be
prepared.
VOLUME APPARATUS
3. Pipette :
To accurately measure volumes
of liquids when a fixed volume of
solution is needed for an
experiment.
VOLUME APPARATUS
4. Burette :
To accurately measure (nearest
0.1 cm3) volumes of liquids
which are used up in an
experiment.
VOLUME APPARATUS
5. Measuring cylinder
: To measure volumes of liquids
with some accuracy (nearest 0.1
cm3) according to the graduated
marks on the apparatus.
VOLUME APPARATUS
6. Gas syringe:
To accurately measure volumes of gases produced in
experiments according to the graduated marks on the
apparatus.
TIME
The S.I unit for time is seconds (s). Other units are
minutes (min) and hours (h). A stopwatch or a stop
clock is used to measure time.
TEMPERATURE
TheS.I unit for temp is Kelvin (K).
Another unit is the degree Celsius (°C).
Temperature can be measured using a
thermometer. The mercury-in-glass
and the alcohol-in-glass thermometers
are commonly used in labs, with
ranges from -10 to 110°C.
COLLECTION OF GASES:
Speed of Chemical Reactions:
In a chemical reaction where a gas is given
off, we can measure the speed of the
reaction by recording the volume of gas
given off in a certain time interval, which
can be measured using a gas syringe, or by
recording the progressive loss in mass as the
gas escapes into the air, which can be
measured using a balance.
COLLECTION OF GASES:
To collect a gas, the following
properties may be taken into
consideration:
Its density with respect to
air.
its solubility in water
COLLECTION OF GASES:
1. Downward delivery: Used to collect gases which are
denser than air, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen
chloride and chlorine
If the gas [to be collected] is denser than air, it can
be collected using the downward delivery method,
in which the air is displaced upward.
COLLECTION OF GASES:
2. Upward delivery: Used to collect gases which are
less dense than air, such as ammonia and hydrogen.
If the gas is lighter than air, it can be collected using the upward
deliver method, in which the air is displaced downward, and the gas
is collected in an upside-down container.
COLLECTION OF GASES:
3. Displacement of Water:
For gases that are insoluble or slightly soluble in water, the method of
displacement of water may be used, in which the gas is passed through
water into an upside down container; the gas collects on top and the
water gets displaced downwards.
PAST PAPER
QUESTIONS
PAPER 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6 A student investigates how the concentration of a reagent affects
the rate of a chemical reaction.
Which piece of apparatus is essential for all rate investigations?