Professional Documents
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Example Introduction
Introduction
Background
Information
Scientists often predict the amount of information that they are going to
form in a reaction through the use of stoichiometry. Often times, an experiment is
run and scientists obtain a different amount of product then was predicted
through stoichiometry. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the difference
between what was predicted to form and what actually formed. This is known as
calculating the percent yield. The percent yield for any reaction is calculated by
dividing what was obtained in an experiment by what was predicted to form. This
yield can be described by the equation:
Actual Yield
100% Percent Yield
Theoretical Yield
By calculating the percent yield, multiple aspects of the experiment that was
performed can be analyzed. From the percent yield, potential sources of error
and areas where there were problems with the experimental design can be
identified. Many important things can be learned from the percent yield and it is
an invaluable tool in countless chemistry experiments.
This lab focused on the application of the principle of percent yield. In
order to study this principle, the reaction between baking soda and vinegar was
utilized. When baking soda and vinegar are combined, the following reaction
occurs:
NaHCO3 (s) + HC2H3O2 H2O (l) + CO2 (g) + NaC2H3O2 (aq)
Purpose of the
lab
Because the initial amounts of vinegar (HC 2H3O2) and baking soda (NaHCO3)
were known, the amount of CO2 that should form was predicted. By capturing the
CO2 gas that was actually formed when baking soda and vinegar react, the
actual yield of CO2 can be determined. By comparing the actual amount of CO 2
that was produced and the theoretical amount of CO 2 that should be produced,
the percent yield can be determined for this lab. From this percent yield, possible
sources of error and ways in which to improve the experimental model can be
identified and discussed.
From the information that was predicted for the lab it was predicted that
the percent yield would be lower then 100% because of the way the experiment
was designed and because of the inaccuracy of the tools that were used to
measure the volume of CO2.
Hypothesis for
the lab
22.3
52
10.3
All tables and graphs should have a title. It should follow the format Table #: Title
of the Table. You should number the table sequentially. This means that you
should number the first table table1 and every table after that should increase in
number.
One of the biggest mistakes that students make is that they interpret their data
and draw conclusions from their data. In your results section you should only
report what you found or calculated in this section. Save interpretation of your
data for the discussion section of your report.
Graphs are often a good way to tell your reader about the data that you found.
While not all lab reports require graphs, many reports will have a graph if you are
comparing different test groups to one another. You will get a more specific
handout on graphs when you have a report that requires you to produce a graph.
Grammar for Materials and Procedures
The following grammar rules should be followed for introductions:
You should only use 3rd person. NEVER use 1st or 2nd person. This means
you cannot say I, me, we, us, etc.
You should have multiple paragraphs
Every number that you report should have a unit. Numbers without units
are incorrect.
Dont forget that you need to report the results of any and all calculations.