SEMESTER 1 Practical Science 1

Experiment 2

TOPIC:

Introduction to Practical Chemistry

PURPOSE:

To understand the rules and regulations that has to be followed while you are in the
chemistry laboratory.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:

• Burette

• Pipette

• Measuring cylinder

• Digital balance

• Volumetric flask (250 ml)

• Copper Sulphate CuSO4 powder

• Spatula

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PROCEDURE:

(a) ACTIVITY 1

1) The rules and regulations that have to be followed while we are in the chemistry
laboratory are discussed with our lecturer.

2) The rules are understood and the rules and regulation documents given are signed.

3) The rules for the laboratory are discussed.

(b) ACTIVITY 2

1) The laboratory report format is discussed with our lecture and the details are included in
it.

(c) ACTIVITY 3

1) The techniques in handling the following are discussed and practiced:

• Burette

• Pipette

• Measuring cylinder

• Thermometer

• Weighing chemicals

• Pouring concentrated acid, alkali and solution

• Preparation of solution

1. A calculation to prepare 250ml of 0.5 M of CuSO4 is made.(refer discussion)

2. 31.21 g of CuSo4 powder is weighed.

3. The CuSO4 powder is inserted in a 250 ml volumetric flask.

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 4. Distilled water is added into the volumetric flask until it reaches the graduated
mark.

5. The volumetric flask until they are mixture well and there are no more CuSO4
powder is seen.

DICUSSION:

Activity 1

SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR CHEMISTRY LABORATORIES

I have read and understand the safety rules (1-10) below and have had an opportunity to
question my instructor about them. I agree to follow the regulations when I am in the
chemistry laboratory.
Instructor’s Signature; Student’s Signature;

.................................................... .....................................................

(PN. FAZLIZA BT. CHE AMAT) (NUR HAZIRAH BINTI OSMAN)

Date of Safety Training;

12 AUGUST 2009

1) Do not work in the laboratory unless your instructor is present to supervise your work.

2) Wear safety goggles for eye protection at all times in the laboratory.

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3) Do not taste or ingest any chemical in the laboratory and do not keep food or drinks in
the lab.

4) Do not inhale reagent fumes and used fume hoods whenever toxic or corrosive vapour
are released during the work you are doing.

5) Dry all wet glassware before storing it in the locker or returning it to the right place.

6) Carry glassware carefully like carry glass tubing and glass thermometer only in an
upright position.

7) Any chemical that comes in contact with your skin or eyes should be washed off with
water right away.

8) You must be covered continuously from shoulders to below the knees with lab coat and
must wear shoes that cover your feet.

9) Only neutral aqueous solutions go down the sink drain.

10) Clean tour work bench with a damp sponge and wash your hands after done an
experiment or leave the laboratory.

Activity 3

The apparatus in a laboratory usually are glass and precious apparatus. A well
handling technique of them must be taken. This is important so that they can be used in a
long period as the price of them is quite expensive. Besides that, we must know the
techniques to use them so we can get the accurate reading or result during any
experiments. Below are the ways to handle some apparatus.

1) The right ways of handling a burette are:

i. Close the tap, and run some water into the top of the burette.
ii. Open the tap, and let the water drain out. Repeat.
iii. Fix the burette into the clamp, taking care that it is vertical and stable.
iv. Close the tap, and fill the burette to just above the 0cm3 mark with the acid.
v. Remove the funnel. Make sure that there are no air bubbles inside the burette.
vi. Slowly open the tap, and let the acid run down to the 0cm3 mark. Close the tap.
vii. Adjust the height of the burette so that the tip is just above the lip of the conical
flask. Now the burette is ready to use.

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2) The right ways of handling pipette are:

i. Connect a right size of pipette sucker (bulb) to the pipette.

ii. There are 3 areas on the bulb that can be squeezed: A (air), S (suck) and E (empty).
iii. Put a pipette into the bulb, under area S. Insert the cotton-filled end carefully.
iv. Always hold the pipette with the open end down to prevent solutions from entering
the bulb.
v. Squeeze the bulb while holding area A.
vi. Put the end of the pipette tube into the liquid, and squeeze area S.Release area S.
vii. Squeeze area E to release the fluid.

3) The right ways in handling measuring cylinder are:

i. Place the eyes at same level with the top of the liquid.
ii. Read the reading at the bottom of the meniscus.

4) The right ways in handling a thermometer are:

i. Place the eyes at the same level as the top of the liquid in the tube to read it
accurately.
ii. Do not handling the thermometer, the reading can be affected as heat is transferred
from the hands.

5) The right ways to weigh chemicals are:

i. First, press the ‘on’ button’. Wait until the reading screen shows zero reading.

ii. Place the container (empty) of the chemical sample. Wait until the reading is no
longer change. Press the ‘tare’ button. This step leads the balance to ignore the
weight of the container when you weigh the chemicals.

iii. Then add the chemicals into the container. Wait until the reading is no longer
change. Take the reading.

The questions given have been answer. There are:

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1) Why is an acid added to water and not water to acid ?

An acid is added to water and not water added to acid because when diluting a concentrated
acid, a lot of heat is released. If there is a small volume of acid and water is added to it, it will
get extremely hot and can actually boil. However, if we start with a large volume of water and
add acid to the water. Then, the larger volume of water absorbs more heat and temperature
was not rise too high.

2) What safety measures would you take when handling corrosive chemicals ?

Corrosive materials cause destruction of tissue through chemical action at the point of
contact. If they in form of fumes, a properly functioning fumehood must be used. Besides
that, personal protective equipment (PPE) including chemical splash goggles, splash shield,
gloves and protective clothing must be worn as specified in the PPE section of the MSDS.
On the other hand, if the activity involves the use of acid, do not pour water into acid. Slowly
add acid to the water and stir. Do not allow residue to build up, wipe drips from containers
and bench surfaces especially. Skin contact with dry residue will result in burns

3) With reference to the labels found on the chemicals in the laboratory, draw and identify
the meaning of the symbols.

Radiation Symbol Ionizing Radiation Symbol Toxic

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 Harmful or Irritant Flammable Fire Extinguisher

Oxidizing Corrosive Gloves Required Symbol

Rdioactive Explosive Eye or Face Protection

Symbol

First Aid Sign Do Not Touch Sign No Open Flames Sign

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 Preparation of 250 ml of 0.5 mol-1 of CuSO4 involved a calculation to know how much
CuSO4 powder needed. Below is the calculation;

No of mol of CuSO4 =

(mv)/1000

0.5 x 250/ 1000

= 0.125 mol

From the label on the bottle of CuSO4 powder, given 249.68 g mol-1

Therefore,

249.68 g mol-1 x 0.125 mol = 31.21 g of CuSO4 is needed

This activity includes the technique of weighing chemicals and the use of volumetric
flask. In this activity, we are using the 250 ml volumetric flask. The volumetric flask has a
graduated mark which notes the level of 250 ml. We must alert to the mark, stop adding the
distilled water when it reach it.

Besides that, at last, we shake and inverted the volumetric flask for several times to
mix the solution completely.

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REFERENCES:

BOOK

Prof Madya Dr. Norbani Abdullah. (2009). Chemistry for Matriculation Semester 1. Shah
Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. SAP Publications.

Tan Yin Toon, Loh Wai Leng & Tan On Tin. (2007). Success Chemistry SPM. Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan. Oxford Fajar.

INTERNET

http://chemistry.about.com/od/healthsafety/ig/Laboratory-Safety-Signs/index.06.htm

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REFLECTION:

First and foremost, I am glad that I have finished this experiment and report
successfully. My lab partner for this experiment is Naziatul Hawa. We both have
good cooperation during the activities.

Before the activities, we have made some revision and pre-view of them from
the practical manual and other books. This is important as we should always prepare
before carrying any activities or experiments so that we can avoid any mistakes.

To make our work become easier, we divided the task into two; my partner
took the apparatus and also placed them back at the end of the activities, while I
cleaned the apparatus before and after we used them. This had probably saved our
time. In carrying out the activities, we both done them together so we could
experience the right techniques of handling those apparatus.

It cannot be denied that we also experienced some difficulties. The

preparation of 250 ml of 0.5 mol-1 of CuSO4 involved a calculation. At first, we could
not solve the calculation. But with the help of our lecturer and friends, we finally
managed to get it.

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 In preparing the report, I had went through a new experienced as it required a
lot of references and guide from the lecturer. Luckily, in these activities, we also
discussed the report format and other things. It helped me a lot.

In a nutshell, this experiment had taught us many things which will help us in
the future especially when we face the real situation at school.

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