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Roanoke College General Chemistry Laboratory Policies rev 5/11

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The laboratory provides opportunities for you to experience the topics you read about in books. In particular,

In CHEM 111 lab students will

1. Design, conduct, and interpret the results of laboratory investigations.

2. Conduct assigned experiments safely and with good laboratory technique.

3. Communicate chemical concepts clearly and accurately, and in correct formats for laboratory notebooks and

laboratory reports.

In CHEM 112 lab students will

1. Design, conduct, and interpret the results of laboratory investigations.

2. Conduct assigned experiments safely and with good laboratory technique.

3. Communicate chemical concepts clearly and accurately.

4. Locate and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets.

5. Use spreadsheets in data analysis.

GRADES: Your grade in the laboratory will be based on your lab reports, online prelab quizzes, and to a lesser extent your lab

technique and results. There is not a separate grade for the laboratory work. It will be combined with your other CHEM

111/CHEM 112 grades, and will be worth 20% of your course grade. Your lab instructor will give your lab average to

your lecture instructor at the end of the term. You must have a passing grade of 60% in the lab in order to pass the

course.

DUE DATES: Lab report due dates and late penalties will be announced by your lab instructor.

PRELAB QUIZZES:

You will take an online prelab quiz each week. This must be done before coming to lab. Your instructor will announce a

specific deadline for completion. The purpose of these quizzes is to help familiarize you with procedures and safety

issues related to the experiment. The more prepared you are, the smoother your experiment will go.

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend each of your regularly scheduled lab periods. If you miss a lab, you will generally not be able

to make up that experiment. Exceptions may be granted by your instructor, but only if an acceptable written excuse for

the absence is promptly received following the missed lab period. If you know of a conflict with lab time, consult your

instructor before missing lab to determine if alternative arrangements can be made. This rule is not meant to be punitive

but simply reflects the large amount of instructor time required to set up, take down, and supervise experiments.

SAFETY: Chemistry lab is a safe place if the rules and some good common sense are followed. Learn the rules described in this

document and watch for special safety information in each experiment. You will be required to wear goggles and a lab

coat at all times. Failure to follow this or any other safety rule may result in your being asked to leave the lab.

INTEGRITY: Academic integrity rules apply to the laboratory just as to the lecture portions of this course. Because the experiments

and lab reports are done in a public setting, however, students sometimes have a more difficult time judging just what

conduct is or is not allowed. Later in this document, you will find more information designed to help you clarify in

your own mind what constitutes acceptable behavior.

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THE LABORATORY NOTEBOOK in CHEM 111/112

The notebook is a scientist's primary record. All procedures followed, observations made, and data measured should

be recorded clearly and completely in the notebook. In some college courses (especially biology courses), notebooks

are also used and graded as the student's report. In this course (as in most chemistry courses), your notebook will be

your original record. You will prepare a separate, more formal, laboratory report using the information recorded in the

notebook.

1. You must use a standard-sized laboratory notebook with numbered pages. Note that you write only on the

front side of the white pages. Since we will be making carbonless copies, be sure you insert the protective

sheet before the next pair of pages so you don't make multiple copies. Be sure to use a ballpoint pen and not a

soft felt-tipped marker.

2. Write in ink, do not erase, and do not use whiteout. Errors and changes should be crossed out with a single

line so that the original information can still be read.

3. Before coming to lab, read the assigned experiment and begin your notebook entry with the following

preliminary entries.

a. Your name and drawer number

b. Experiment number and name

c. Date

d. Purpose/goal of the experiment written in 1-2 complete sentences.

e. Hazards and cautions. List special hazards and cautions that are mentioned in the experiment. Include

directions for waste disposal.

f. Pre-lab Assignment. Some experiments will ask you to answer a specific question or do a calculation

as part of your pre-lab notebook entry. Watch for these questions in a special Pre-lab Assignment

section located after the Introduction.

See Page 3 for an example of the level of detail desired.

4. Your instructor will either check your notebook at the start of the prelab or have you turn in the colored carbon

copy pages. The quality of your notebook pages figures in to your lab report grade.

5. While doing your experiment, divide your pages vertically.

a. On the left side, record what you actually do, NOT what the procedure said you were supposed to do.

Include all numerical data, neatly and clearly labeled. When possible, record data in tables.

b. On the right side, record what you observe: what you see, smell, feel, etc.

See Page 4 for an example of the level of detail desired.

6. Before leaving lab, remove the colored, carbon copy pages from your notebook. Turn these in to the

instructor. The notes, observations, etc. will be graded.

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THE LABORATORY REPORT

Most of the laboratory reports will contain the following sections, which are described in detail below.

1. Cover Sheet

2. Results

3. Discussion

4. Questions

5. Notebook pages

Lab reports must be word processed. You must learn how to do superscripts and subscripts to represent chemical

formulas correctly. Information Technology staff can quickly show you how to do these.

The first four sections of your report should be stapled together, in the order below, and submitted to your professor.

Your notebook pages will be turned in before leaving lab. Your instructor will keep these and add them to your report.

COVER SHEET: The cover sheet will contain the name and number of the experiment, your name, your drawer number, and the date

submitted. If done as a team, the names of the other team members should also be on the cover sheet.

RESULTS: The results section includes the tabulation of the results and sample calculations. For clarity and ease of preparation, most

of the results should be reported in tables, as directed in the experiment. These will usually be calculations on the

numerical data collected in the experiment. All answers must include the correct units and the proper number of

significant figures.

One sample calculation must be included for each type of calculation. First write the general equation in symbols.

Substitute in data for one trial and show the calculated result with appropriate units and the correct number of significant

figures. Sample calculations may be hand-written and should use your data.

Sample "Sample Calculation"

density = d = m/v

= 5.764 g / 1.23 mL

= 4.69 g/mL

DISCUSSION: Specific directions for the discussion section are given with each experiment. In this section you are expected to use

proper English grammar and complete sentences.

QUESTIONS:

The questions are extensions of the concepts and principles of the experiment. Again, you are expected to use correct

grammar and complete sentences. For numerical problems, be sure you show your work, the correct units, and the proper

number of significant figures.

NOTEBOOK PAGES

Your instructor will collect the carbon copy pages before you leave lab, and will staple these to the rest of your report

before returning it to you.

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INTEGRITY in CHEM 111/112 LABORATORY

Academic integrity rules apply to the laboratory just as to the lecture portions of this course. Because the experiments

and lab reports are done in a public setting, however, students sometimes have a more difficult time judging just what

conduct is or is not allowed. The guidelines below are designed to help you clarify in your own mind what constitutes

acceptable behavior.

You are responsible for ensuring that your actions are allowed by the integrity rules of the College (see your integrity

handbook) and your instructor. Take the time to consider the consequences before acting. In order to be on the

cautious side, assume that all experiments and lab reports are individual efforts. In this case, two or more persons

working or consulting together is a violation of academic integrity. Your instructor will tell you if you are allowed to

work with others for a particular assignment.

The following guidelines are meant to be a clarification of the integrity guidelines as they apply to laboratory

situations. These guidelines in no way supersede or amend the basic integrity policies found in the booklet "Academic

Integrity at Roanoke College."

1. Each student is to do every part of the experiment. Unless specifically directed to do so by the instructor, you

may not work with a partner or share lab data.

2. Data should never be changed after the experiment has been completed. It is a violation of academic (and

scientific) integrity to change or discard data without the instructor's prior consent.

3. Lab reports are written as an individual effort, never as a group project, unless otherwise specified.

4. If you have questions, or need help with a lab assignment, you should:

a. Consult the applicable sections of your lab handout and textbook.

b. Consult your lab or lecture instructor.

c. Consult other students only if exercising great care to avoid violations of academic integrity.

5. You may receive help from other students if that aid simply helps you to better understand some general issue and

then to write up your own assignment. You may not receive help which amounts to another student directly

telling you the answer to an assignment or the other student working through the material with you such that the

answers become the product of a joint effort. This restriction outlaws much more than direct copying of another's

answers. Note also that giving aid in violation of the integrity rules is just as wrong as receiving aid.

a. Examples of the type of help you may receive from other students include:

Clarification of an assignment: "What types of things should be included in this discussion section?" "What

does this term mean?" "What is this question really asking?"

Clarification of facts: "What solution did we use?" "Are cobalt solutions pink?"

Clarification of method: "How is percent yield calculated?" "How do you convert from density to volume?"

b. Examples of the type of help you may not receive from students include but are not limited to:

Direct answers to assignments, even if you rewrite them in your own words: "What did you write for your

discussion section?" "Let me read the answer you wrote to the first question."

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Direct aid in working through an assignment: "Help me calculate this percent yield." "Show me which

numbers to multiply together." "Let's work through these equations together."

Raw data or calculated results of another student.

6. Never look at another student's lab report or allow another student to look at your report. This includes reports

from other years.

7. If you ever have any questions involving what is or is not acceptable behavior, consult the instructor.

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LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

THE FOLLOWING RULES MUST BE OBSERVED IN THE LABORATORY

1. Goggles must be worn by all persons whenever chemicals are being used in the laboratory.

2. Closed toe shoes must be worn in the laboratory. Sandals are not allowed.

3. Lab coats must be worn whenever you work with chemicals

4. No eating, drinking, or smoking in the laboratory.

5. No horseplay in the laboratory.

6. Perform no unauthorized experiments.

7. Never work in the laboratory alone, or at least without another person within easy call.

8. Report all accidents to your instructor.

Additional Safety Information and Precautions:

1. Your clothing and use of protective equipment are important to a safe lab experience.

a. Full coverage clothing protects you from accidental exposures. Shorts, short skirts, and skimpy clothing are

discouraged. Long pants are best.

b. You must wear closed toe shoes.

c. Long hair should be confined when in the laboratory.

d. You must wear goggles whenever chemicals are being used in lab.

e. You must wear a lab coat whenever you work with chemicals.

f. Wear gloves when you work with corrosive chemicals or when you are performing procedures that may bring

hazardous chemicals in contact with your skin. If the gloves become soiled, remove them and wash your hands.

g. Wash your hands after using chemicals and before leaving lab.

h. Don’t bring personal electronic devices to lab. They can interfere with your ability to hear warnings and are

unnecessary distractions.

2. Your work habits in lab keep you and others safe.

a. Read the labels on reagent bottles carefully. Be sure you know what chemical you want.

b. Do not waste chemicals by taking more out of the bottle than needed. Chemicals should not be returned to the

stock bottles.

c. Work in a fume hood when doing procedures with toxic, irritating, or unpleasant smelling vapors.

d. Never taste a laboratory substance. Never bring lab glassware to your mouth. When you hands touch your face,

they may transfer chemicals.

e. Do not point your test tube at your neighbor or yourself when heating substances. A suddenly formed bubble of

vapor may eject the contents violently (called 'bumping').

f. Do not hold your face directly over a container when noting the odor. Instead, fan a little of the vapor toward

your nostrils by sweeping your hand over the top of the container.

g. Broken glass should not be placed in the regular trash can, but rather in the specially designated “broken glass”

containers.

3. Your response to hazardous situations minimizes problems.

a. Safety showers, eyewash stations, and fire blankets are located in the laboratories. Fire extinguishers are in the

halls.

b. If a chemical gets in your eyes, in your mouth, or on your skin, rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water

for at least 15 minutes. To wash eyes, use the safety eye wash station. If you are wearing contact lenses, be sure

you remove them as soon as possible.

4. If you are or become pregnant, please discuss your condition with your lab instructor. A fetus is very vulnerable in

its early weeks. Chemical exposures that present no problem for an adult may be a problem for a fetus during the

early stages of pregnancy.

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Chemical Labels: Each reagent container has a label that gives the name, the formula, and, if not a pure substance, the concentration. The

label also has listed the principal hazard and a four-color diamond that gives the hazard ratings of the National Fire

Protection Association. The blue section gives the health hazard, the red section gives the flammability hazard, the

yellow section gives the reactivity hazard, and the white section gives special hazards. The labeling code was originally

designed to help firemen in the event of a fire.

National Fire Protection Labels:

The blue section gives the health hazard rating.

The red section gives the fire hazard rating.

The yellow section gives the reactivity rating.

The white section gives special warnings.

Health

4. Danger - May be fatal on short exposure. Special protective equipment required.

3. Warning - Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or inhalation.

2. Warning - May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed.

1. Caution - May cause irritation.

0. No unusual hazard.

Fire

4. Danger - Flammable gas or extremely flammable liquid.

3. Warning - Flammable liquid. Flash point below 100oF.

2. Caution - Combustible liquid. Flash point of 100oF to 200

oF.

1. Combustible if heated.

0. Not combustible.

Reactivity

4. Danger - Explosive material at room temperature.

3. Danger - May be explosive if shocked, heated under confinement, or mixed with water.

2. Warning - Unstable, or may react if mixed with water.

1. Caution - May react if heated or mixed with water.

0. Stable - Not reactive when mixed with water.

Manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for chemicals that can be purchased. These are intended to

provide much valuable safety information on the compounds. MSDS for the chemicals used in these experiments are

available for your inspection. You can find MSDS sheets for every chemical you use in Trexler 464 or from online sites

such as http://hazard.com/msds/index.php.

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Printed name:________________________________________ Drawer Number: ________

INTRODUCTORY EXERCISE

Before beginning the first experiment, complete this introductory exercise designed to introduce you to the laboratory and

its rules. When done, staple pages 10-12 together and turn them in.

1. Read the safety information provided and then sign the Pledge of Laboratory Safety below.

2. Complete the Safety Exercise on page 11.

3. Read the information on academic integrity, take the AI quiz (page 12) and then sign the Integrity Pledge below.

4. Inventory the contents of your lab drawer and get replacement equipment if needed.

Drawer Inventory: You will be assigned a working area in the laboratory and a drawer containing most of the apparatus needed for

performing the experiments in this course. A list of apparatus appears below. Familiarize yourself with the apparatus by

removing all items from the drawer and placing them on the bench top. Check each piece against the list, replace

damaged or missing items from the stockroom, and turn in the list to the lab instructor before leaving.

___ 2 Beakers, 50 mL ___ 1 Lighter for burner

___ 2 Beakers, 100 mL ___ 5 Pipets, disposable, with bulb

___ 2 Beakers, 250 mL ___ 2 Rods, stirring, glass

___ 2 Beakers, 400 mL ___ 1 Spatula/scoopula

___ 1 Brush, test tube ___ 1 Test tube holder (metal)

___ 1 Burner with tubing ___ 6-8 Test tubes, long

___ 1 Cylinder, graduated, 10 mL ___ 6-8 Test tubes, short

___ 1 Cylinder, graduated, 50 mL ___ 1 Test tube rack

___ 2 Flasks, Erlenmeyer, 50 mL ___ 1 Forceps

___ 2 Flasks, Erlenmeyer, 125 mL ___ 1 Towel

___ 2 Flasks, Erlenmeyer, 250 mL ___ 1 Triangle, clay

___ 1 Funnel ___ 2 Watch glasses

___ 1 Wire Gauze

COPY YOUR DRAWER NUMBER IN YOUR LAB NOTEBOOK

Pledge of Laboratory Safety I have received instruction in laboratory safety and have read carefully the Laboratory Safety Rules listed in the

Introduction section of this lab manual. I understand that these rules are for my own protection, as well as for the

protection of others, and I pledge to abide by them.

Signature: __________________________________ Date: __________

Integrity Pledge I have read the academic integrity guidelines as they apply to the laboratory from in the Introduction section of this lab

manual. I understand these guidelines and I pledge that I will abide by these rules.

Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________

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SAFETY EXERCISE

Locate the following items. Record the “Safety Fact” taped to each item.

Item Safety Fact found on this item

Exit to hall

Second exit to hall

Exit leading to stockroom

Fire extinguisher (in hall)

Fire alarm (in hall)

Floor emergency alarm

(red button in lab room)

Eyewash

Second eyewash

Fume hood

Fire blanket

Safety shower

First aid kit

Disposable Gloves

Hand Soap

Broken Glass Box

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Academic Integrity in the General Chemistry Laboratory Quiz

Abstract rules are more easily understood when applied to real life situations. Your instructor will

summarize the integrity guidelines for this class. Ask questions on anything that seems unclear. Read the

rules yourself. To help ensure that we all understand the integrity guidelines in the same way, complete the

brief true/false summary questions below. The class will discuss the rules again when you are finished.

Finally, sign the integrity pledge on page 10.

As I understand the Academic Integrity rules for this course . . .

T or F 1. I can consult my laboratory or lecture instructor if I have any questions about my

laboratory report.

T or F 2. I must use my own numerical data and observations as the basis for my report.

T or F 3. If I think I made an error in lab but don’t notice it until the next day, I can change my data

to what I now believe is correct without needing to consult anyone.

T or F 4. If I don’t know how to do a calculation, I can ask another student to help me work my

numbers through the steps.

T or F 5. If I don’t know how to do a calculation, I can ask another student to explain the general

concept or to help me understand the directions in the lab manual.

T or F 6. If I forget to record a mass in lab, I can ask another student for that number since we all

should have about the same value.

T or F 7. It is okay to read another student’s answer to a report question to get a sense of what to

include before writing my own, independent answer to that question.

T or F 8. I can borrow a report from another student and use it to help me write my own report.

T or F 9. I can let another student see my report to help them out.

T or F 10. I can let another student see my report to give me feedback or suggestions.

Signature: __________________________________

Printed name: _______________________________ Date: ______________________