Fundamental Laboratory Skills

Overview

Practical classes content (9 sessions, 3h each)

1. Introduction to laboratory safety & basic techniques
• Pipetting, weighing, and solution preparation.
• Safety and lab notebook introduction.

2. Excel Workshop 1
• Hands-on experience using Microsoft Excel to analyse and interpret experimental data.
• Application of data processing techniques to determine rate order, rate constants, and
associated errors.
• Development of clear and effective data presentation for scientific analysis.

3. Excel Workshop 2
• Hands-on experience using Microsoft Excel to analyse buffer data and calculate key
parameters
• Application of statistical methods to determine buffer index and standard deviation.
• Development of clear and effective data presentation for scientific reporting.

4. Kinetic Study of Ester Hydrolysis
• Hydrolysis of ethyl acetate in acidic solution.
• Monitoring reaction progress via pH or spectrophotometry.
• Determining reaction order from experimental data.

5. Buffers and pH Measurement
• Preparation of buffer solutions with a specific target pH.
• Calculation of buffer composition using acid-base equilibria and pKa values.
• Measurement of buffer capacity by titration with acid and base.

6. Determination of the Activation Energy of a Reaction
• Study of the temperature dependence of reaction rates using the Arrhenius equation.
• Measurement of dissolution rates of effervescent tablets at varying temperatures.
• Calculation of activation energy (Ea) from an Arrhenius plot.

7. Concentration Cells and Electrode Potentials
• Construction of a Zn-Cu electrochemical cell to measure and validate theoretical cell potentials.
• Application of the Nernst equation to determine cell voltage under non-standard conditions.
• Creation of a lemon battery using different electrode materials to generate electrical energy.

8. Heat of Fusion and Heat of Solution
• Determination of the heat of fusion of ice using calorimetry.
• Measurement of the heat of solution for different ionic compounds.
• Analysis of spontaneous processes using enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy
(ΔG).

9. Chemical Equilibria: Solubility and Le Chatelier’s Principle
• Determination of the solubility product (KSP) of calcium hydroxide using titration.
• Application of Le Chatelier’s Principle to equilibrium shifts in copper(II) chloride solutions.
• Observation of equilibrium shifts through colour changes in response to concentration and
temperature variations.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this module students should be able to:
 Perform essential lab techniques, including weighing, measuring, and dispensing solids and
liquids, handling common lab glassware, using reagent tables and performing standard lab
based calculations
 Follow laboratory safety protocols, handle chemicals and equipment correctly, and maintain an accurate lab notebook.
 Process and interpret experimental data using Microsoft Excel, including statistical analysis, graphing, and trendline fitting to extract meaningful parameters such as buffer index and standard deviation.
 Determine and analyse reaction kinetics by calculating reaction orders, rate constants, and activation energies using experimental data and graphical methods.
 Apply electrochemical principles to construct galvanic cells, measure electrode potentials, and use the Nernst equation to predict and validate cell voltages under varying conditions.
 Investigate thermodynamic properties such as heat of fusion and heat of solution, and assess the spontaneity of chemical processes using enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy.
 Understand and apply chemical equilibrium concepts by determining solubility products (KSP) and demonstrating equilibrium shifts using Le Chatelier’s Principle.

Skills

Students are expected to demonstrate the following on completion of the module:

 Ability to follow standard laboratory procedures while maintaining accurate records, performing
quantitative measurements, and critically analysing experimental results.
 Ability to utilise Microsoft Excel for scientific data analysis, including statistical processing,
graphing, and trendline fitting to extract relevant parameters.
 Ability to conduct kinetic experiments and analyse reaction rates, rate constants, and activation
energies using graphical methods and data interpretation.
 Ability to set up and operate electrochemical cells to measure electrode potentials, apply the
Nernst equation, and evaluate redox reactions.
 Ability to perform thermodynamic calculations to determine enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free
energy changes, assessing the spontaneity of chemical processes.
 Ability to apply principles of chemical equilibrium by determining solubility products (KSP) and
predicting equilibrium shifts using Le Chatelier’s Principle.

Assessment

Assessment Profile
Element type Element weight (%)
1. Skills Assessment 30%
2. Laboratory/Workshop reports 70%

Course Requirements:
 Coursework 100%
 All module components must be passed at 40%