CHEMISTRY 121 LABORATORY

(Fall 2009)

 

 

Before coming to laboratory you should read the Exercise scheduled for the week, including the “Assigned Reading”, and complete the Homework section of the Exercise.  Each week there will be a quiz.  The quiz will cover both the laboratory exercise and homework from the previous week as well as the homework for the current week.  During the laboratory week beginning October 13th there will be a comprehensive laboratory examination covering the first six weeks of laboratory work.  The exam will include a practical as well as a written portion.

 

For a number of the exercises in the General Chemistry laboratory, you will be making use of the Texas Instruments Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL) interface.  To use this interface you will need a Texas Instruments graphing calculator (TI-83+/TI-83+SE or TI-84+/TI-84+SE recommended) and the link cable that comes with the calculator.  Bring your calculator with you to the first laboratory period and to all subsequent labs.

 

The laboratory work during the semester is divided into two portions.  During Part I (the first six weeks) the emphasis is on learning some basic techniques.  During Part II (the last six weeks) these same techniques will be applied in more complex exercises.

 

There is a departmental attendance policy for general chemistry laboratory.  The accumulation of four or more absences from laboratory in one semester will result in an automatic grade of “F” being given for the semester of general chemistry (not just for the laboratory).  If you must miss a laboratory for any reason, it is your obligation to contact your instructor (however, be aware that missed laboratory work cannot, in general, be made up).

 

NOTE:            If you took CHEM 121 last semester and are repeating the course to improve an unsatisfactory grade, you may have the option of repeating just the lecture portion of the course.  For details, inquire at the Chemistry Department Office (Room 319 EPS).

 


     DATES                                                                   EXERCISE

 


PART I

 

Sept. 1 - 3                               The TI Calculator (load CHEMBIO onto calculators), Significant Figures

Sept. 8 - 10                             Safety, the CBL System (check into lab), complete the Graphing exercise as homework and bring the completed exercise to lab

Sept. 15 - 17                           Mass and Volume Measurement

Sept. 22 - 24                           Density Determination

Sept. 29 – Oct. 1                     Empirical Formula of a Compound

Oct. 6 – Oct. 8                                    Quantitative Solution Preparation

Oct. 13 - 15                             COMPREHENSIVE EXAM OVER FIRST SIX EXERCISES

 

Oct. 20 - 22                             CHEM 121 Labs will not meet the week of Fall BREAK

                                               

PART II

 

Oct. 27- 29                              Quantitative Analysis                         

Nov. 3 - 5                                Molar Volume

Nov. 10 - 12                            Determination of Absolute Zero

Nov. 17 – 19                           Specific Heat

Nov. 24 – 26                           CHEM 121 Labs will not meet the week of Thanksgiving                      

Dec. 1 – 3                               Enthalpy Change for a Chemical Reaction

Dec. 8 - 10                              Synthesis of Alum, final quiz, Check out of lab