All Resource articles – Page 44

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Defining a ‘weak’ acid

Starting from its K_a (or pK_a) value, learners calculate as much information as you need to show what is meant by ‘weak’ in weak acid.
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Detecting copper in black solids

Devise experiments to identify a black solid sample by using chemicals and apparatus in the laboratory.
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Identifying five unknown white solids

Learners are provided with five mystery white solids, and need to devise their own experiments to identify each.
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Thin layer chromatography

The technique of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is normally used as an analytical method to follow the progress of a reaction, to analyse mixtures or to establish conditions for a preparative separation of compounds using column chromatography. The stationary phase (often silica) is coated on plastic or aluminium plates. The ...
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The interactive lab primer - lab apparatus

Use this resource to show students the standard pieces of equipment found in most university and research chemistry laboratories.
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The interactive lab primer - working safely

The chemistry laboratory is full of hazards and it is your responsibility to work safely for your own well-being and for the well-being of others. Use this resource to understand the basic rules and procedures that should be followed to minimise any risks.
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The interactive lab primer - abbreviations, constants and glossary

This resource from the interactive lab primer highlights the vocabulary and standards most commonly used in university and research chemistry laboratories.
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Explosives Guide for Education

2016-07-11T14:56:00Z

This Guide contains information for teachers on the Explosive Regulations 2014. It details when Explosive Certifiates are required by schools and how to get them. There are some websites for more detailed information.
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On This Day – Jul 07 : Rocket apparatus fueled with solid 'explosive material'

The first of these rockets was successfully launched on 16th March 1926 by the American scientist and his colleagues in Auburn, Massachusetts. It was fuelled by liquid oxygen (O₂) and gasoline, and reached a height of 12.5 metres.
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Column chromatography

The separation of mixtures produced in chemical reactions is often carried out by passing the mixture through a stationary phase of silica held in a column. Solvents move compounds at different rates through the silica allowing them to be separated into fractions by collecting the emerging solvent. This can ...
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Heating under reflux

The term ‘reflux’ describes an arrangement in which a reaction is carried out in a boiling solvent with the vapour being condensed and returned to the reaction vessel. Refluxing is carried out when reactions need to be heated to give a reasonable yield of product in a reasonable time. ...
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Dean-Stark apparatus

There are many equilibrium reactions that yield water as a co-product. It is the co-produced water that prevents a high yield of product being obtained. The removal of the water is necessary to drive the reaction to completion and this is done using Dean-Stark apparatus. The reaction is carried out ...
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Steam distillation

The extraction of a crude mixture containing water-insoluble material (such as natural products) can be achieved by co-distillation with steam. Video: Steam distillation video
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Melting point determination

The measurement of melting points is a relatively straightforward procedure that is carried out to determine the purity of a compound or to assist with its identification. A pure compound will melt over a relatively narrow temperature range, impurities both lower and widen the temperature range over which a compound ...
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Streamwatch - a UK water analysis science project

The resource provides access to a water analysis kit and instructions on how to use these. Using this resource provides teachers with great potential to engaging students and enable them to see the purpose and benefits of chemical analysis. The resource could be used for project work and is particularly ...
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Drying liquids

There are many instances when it is necessary to remove traces of water from a solution or liquid. One common example is the drying of an organic layer after a solvent extraction. The technique involves adding a suitable solid drying agent to the liquid followed by its removal by gravity ...
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Titration

The addition of one reagent (the titrant) from a burette to another reagent until an end-point is reached is known as a titration. These have to be done with great care and precision to establish reliable and accurate results. Video: Titration video
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Cooling mixtures

Cooling baths are very useful in chemistry labs to control exotherimc reactions. In this resource we share various recipes for making cooling baths to temperatures below 0°C. There are many instances where you will need cooling as part of the procedure, for example in recrystallisation, carrying out reactions at low ...
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Distillation

Distillation separates liquids on the basis of them having different boiling points. Video: Distillation video
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Solvent extraction

2016-06-16T11:32:00Z

This technique uses two solvents which are immiscible, for example an organic solvent such as diethyl ether can be used to extract an organic compound from an aqueous solution leaving water soluble impurities behind. A variation of this is acid - base extraction where acidic or basic compounds are extracted ...