All Practical skills and safety articles – Page 15

Resource
Using a rotary evaporator

A rotary evaporator is used to remove large amounts of solvent from solutions at a reduced pressure. This is often done to isolate a product from a chromatographic separation or a solvent extraction. Video: Using a rotary evaporator video
Resource
Running an infrared spectrum

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a technique which reveals the bonds present in a compound and therefore can be used to identify functional groups. A sample of reaction product can be analysed to confirm its composition by comparison to a pure sample, or to judge the extent of reaction by comparison ...
Resource
Hot gravity filtration

This is the simplest kind of filtration when the solution to be filtered is poured through a filter paper in a filter funnel. The filtration of hot solutions through a funnel and fluted filter paper is often carried out as part of a recrystallisation. Gravity filtration is generally carried out ...
Resource
Volatile product distillation

A technique to remove a volatile product from a reaction mixture to prevent further reaction taking place. Video: Volatile product distillation video
Resource
Clamping Quickfit glassware

There are many different ways to assemble apparatus and it is important that you carefully follow the guidelines that might be in the practical script. This section illustrates the basic principles and good practice involved in putting together Quickfit glassware. Video: Clamping Quickfit glassware video
Resource
Vacuum distillation

Vacuum distillation is a distillation carried out at reduced pressure to lower boiling points. This is particularly useful for distilling products of boiling points over 100oC. Video: Vacuum distillation video
Resource
Heating

There are many instances when heat is needed in a laboratory practical, it is needed to reflux reaction mixtures, to distil liquids as well as help to dissolve solids in recrystallisations. The use of the appropriate method of heating is most important.
Review
Understanding experimental planning for advanced level chemistry

2016-06-03T00:00:00Z

Investigative practical work
Resource
Experiment with the Vikings

2016-05-16T11:50:00Z

A comprehensive collection of activities to incorporate science into your Vikings lessons. Topics include everyday life; weapons and warfare; travel and trade; and how modern day archaeologists use science to investigate Viking life.
Resource
Benchmark tools for resourcing practical work

2016-05-03T10:50:00Z

The Royal Society of Chemistry works with other organisations on science policy education activites. From this work we have produced a set of comprehensive resourcing benchmark tools for teachers and school practitioners to use when planning budgets and equipping classrooms and laboratories.
Opinion
My favourite demo

2016-03-09T13:46:00Z

Ahead of Demo Day, we asked teachers what their favourite chemistry demo is. What's yours?
CPD article
Rates of reactions

2015-12-21T00:00:00Z

Steve Hacker explains how the concept of reaction rates could be introduced
Ideas
My top four ideas for chemistry lessons

2015-12-11T13:02:00Z

Ian McDaid describes his favourite ‘must do’ experiments to engage your students
Ideas
Christmas activities for your chemistry class

2015-12-08T09:57:00Z

Team challenges, experiments and puzzles – Kristy Turner keeps students engaged in the run-up to Christmas
Class experiment
Microscale preparation of ethyl benzoate

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Try this class practical to prepare the ester ethyl benzoate on a microscale by warming ethanol and benzoic acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Class experiment
Separating salts from seawater

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Try this simple practical to show that seawater contains a mixture of different salts. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Resource
QuantiCorp R&D: new products

In association with The National HE STEM Programme

This C/PBL resource involves an investigation into catalysis and conducting polymers for the production of biosensors. Students are challenged to develop a biosensor based on a conducting polymer in the context of an R&D department in a high-tech company.
Feature
Layer by layer

2015-09-10T00:00:00Z

Andrew Turley investigates a build-it-yourself 3D printer you can use in your classroom
CPD article
Practical science

2015-09-10T00:00:00Z

Derek Denby explains how to get the most out of lab work
Resource
When chewing gum loses its flavour

In association with The National HE STEM Programme

This probelm-based learning resource is designed to help students to develop approaches which might lead to the discovery of what some of the unwanted tastes and smells in a specific foodstuff and how the causes of these could be tested for using analytical chemistry techniques. Chewing gum has been ...