Design a Chromatography Lab:
No AI
Background information–> information on chromatography and how it can be used etc. Make this a solid paragraph. Just check what you need in background information.
Hypothesis
Procedure
Materials
Included a research question that is in the format ‘how does a measurable independent
variable.. affect the … measurable dependent variable as determined by and indication of the
method?
Avoided the danger words(i.e. amount, efficiency, suitability)?
Included substantial background information from a variety of sources that explains the chemical principles that support your choice of investigation and your initial idea of what the results may be?
Avoided overly general statements that do not directly tie to explaining the chemistry behind the
research question? i.e. lonic compounds have high melting points – but you are investigating their
acidity and their melting point is unrelated.
Included all relevant balanced reactions? (referenced if necessary)
Determined the limiting reagent if necessary?
Determined the limiting reagent if necessary?
Include diagrams of molecules where relevant? Reference their source clearly.
Looked carefully at all other possible factors that could change what you are measuring? Explain
these and how you did your best to account for or minimize the impact.
Planned carefully to ensure that only one variable is changing and that all others are being kept
exactly the same to the best of your abilities?
Considered if storage of your solutions will impact the results?
Stated explicitly how to make sure your controlled variables do not change and what are the
challenges faced?
Calibrated any equipment where relevant?
Explained clearly any safety, environmental and/or ethical considerations and how they were
addressed? If there are none(i.e. you are using a database) then state this explicitly.
Included brief notes on the safety of any chemicals/methods used and what precautions were taken?
Note: these must be specific to your experiment and not over-dramatic.
Included safety comments that do not contain the numbers from the SDS – rather they should
concisely state what precautions to take and why? Reference them!
Include a statement about environmental considerations such as minimizing volumes, choosing
solvents that are environmentally friendly, disposal of chemicals?
Included a detailed note about the disposal of the chemicals – check the Flinn guides. This is
newer expectation that has become common and is not in the earlier example lab. 3
Planned to test at least a range of five samples(evenly spaced) if you are creating a graph? if a
Planned to test at least three repeats for each?
Looked online to review all the techniques you will need to use and included an explanation of the key
principles behind them if they are at all unusual? (i.e. electronic scales no explanation, distillation
explanation)
Considered as many possible sources of systematic and random error and done your best to
minimize them and explained what these are?
Listed specifically which glassware/equipment you will use along with their uncertainty?
Planned your amounts of chemicals carefully – consider what will allow the experiment to be a
success as well as how your experiment will impact the environment.. can you reduce your amounts?
Written a clear detailed relevant procedure to follow if you are performing the experiment?
Used proper terminology for equipment and procedures?
Used the most precise equipment/methods available and appropriate? For example – you need a
a reason to use a graduated cylinder rather than a pipette during a titration method.
Stated the variations you will use for your independent variable – 5 different levels with 3 repeats of
each if possible, i.e. changing temperature – measure at 5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C and 25°C – three
times at each temperature.
Included as wide a range in your independent variable? Rather than 5-25° could you investigate from
5 – 80° Explain why you chose the range you did -i.e. safety limitations, boiling points,
denaturation.
Explained any variables that you considered to be irrelevant or that you were unable to control?
Listed the procedure as a series of detailed steps that show clearly that the variables have been
controlled? If you were to give your write-up to another student.. would they be able to perform the
exact same experiment and get the same results by following your instructions?
Included a labelled diagram or photo of the set-up if there is anything unusual? (i.e. simple titration •
not needed.. spirit burner with improvised air blocks or insulation – include, labelled and explained)
Included a statement about how the chemicals were disposed of? (Justify if they can go down the
drain, or explain that they were collected and processed appropriately by the school)
NO AI and make it sound high school level. Grade 11