Unit 2 Assignment D- Scientific Skills I developed
I have been given the task to analyse and evaluate my performances after completing a series of
experiments. I have identified skills that I have developed whilst performing practices in colorimetry,
titration, calorimetry, and chromatography. Before performing these experiments, I had a minimal
number of skills that I had developed and out of the skills that I did have, they were not developed
to a high degree. After completing these experiments, I was able to develop numerous skills to a
good degree which can be useful in not only other experiments, but also other aspects of my life. I
found many skills that I have learnt to be extremely useful and transferable to other units within my
applied science course. For example, learning how to work with volatile substances in a fume
cupboard was useful when performing experiments to produce ethyl ethanoate in unit 4. And my
new skill of planning an experiment and justifying the equipment I have used was useful in unit 3
were I had to defend my use of certain equipment, techniques and procedures and analyse my
strengths and weaknesses in doing this. I have constructed a table to help visualise the skills I already
had before starting the course and some of the skills I have gained after completing this unit.
Skills I had before starting the Skills I gained after Skills I would like to develop
course completing this unit
Performing paper Performing thin layer Using a range of different
chromatography chromatography to determine solvents to see how they
the composition of a impact my results
substance
Weighing to a gram Weighing to 2.d.p Weighing out to 3d.p and
accurately weighing out liquids
Using a dropping pipette Using a glass volumetric Using an automated pipette
pipette and bulb filler to for better accuracy and
transfer exact amount of fluid precision
Performing titration using an Performing titration to Performing titration using a
indicator determine concentration using variety of probes
a PH probe
Using a standard alcohol Using a calibrated digital Using a data logger to record
thermometer thermometer to record results
changes in temperature
Dissolving solids to make a Making a standard solution by Making multiple serial
solution dissolving an exact amount of dilutions
solid
Skills I have learnt and developed (P7+M4)-
Colorimetry and Titration-
Before I had completed this experiment, I had already developed some skills that aided me through
my experiment. Firstly, I had already developed the ability to listen and follow instructions which
was necessary as I had to carefully listen to my teacher and read my method sheet thoroughly to
ensure I completed the steps of my experiment accurately and precisely so that I could gain reliable
, results while making sure I was working safely. Working in a safe environment was another thing
that I had previously learned from school and earlier experiments. It is aways necessary to conduct
experiments in a safe working environment to ensure no accidents occur and cause dangerous
situations. Using a weighing balance was a piece of equipment I had used on many occasions
previously but as I performed this experiment, I was able to develop this skill further to improve my
accuracy and technique by learning how to weigh to 2.d.p. Overall, I was able to successfully develop
my titration skills as previously I had only ever carried out simple titration using an indicator whereas
I have now learnt how to successfully us a pH meter.
Whilst performing my titration, I had developed the skill of using a burette. As I was working with
hydrochloric acid, it was imperative that I was careful as any accidents would be very dangerous and
harmful, so I ensured I was conducting my experiment safely. I have developed the ability to fill up a
burette correctly and safely using a funnel and ensuring I did not have to overreach when pouring
my liquid into it so that nothing spilled and caused an accident. I also learnt how to handle and
control the burette tap so that when I was approaching my colour change, I could add my acid drop
by drop into my solution to guarantee the accuracy of my results. When filling up my burette before
completing my experiment, I ensured that I allowed some of the acid to drain out so that the tap
could be filled with acid rather than air as this would give me incorrect results. I found that I had
improved my ability to use a burette from the last time that I used one as this time I was able to
achieve concordant titre values whereas previously I was unable to do so. I believe I was more skilful
at using a burette than some of my peers as they were unable to achieve concordant results and had
to perform their titration several times to achieve good enough results to work with.
Even though I had previously used a dropping pipette at many points in my life, I had never used a
glass volumetric pipette to transfer fluids. This new piece of equipment required me to learn how to
use a bulb filler and grapple with which of the 3 points to squeeze to either draw water in or out or
release air. It was difficult to ensure I drew in the correct amount of liquid so that my meniscus was
exactly on the graduation mark at eye level, but I was able to successfully complete this after a few
tries. I am now confident that I can use this piece of equipment accurately and safely. However, the
first time I used one I had to be corrected by my teacher on how to hold it when placing my bulb
filler onto it. I was not holding my pipette at its end near where the filler should go which was
dangerous as if I had put too much pressure onto the pipette it could have snapped and caused me a
serious injury. But I quickly rectified this and placed my hands in a more appropriate place to ensure
my safety as a result of my teachers' critiques. I was even able to correct and help some of my peers
who were making the same mistake I had made when holding the pipette to ensure they were
working safely, and no one got hurt. I would like to further develop my skills by learning how to use
an automated pipette as it would allow an accurate amount of liquid to automatically be transferred
which will help to reduce any human error and speed up my process.
Reading a meniscus was something that I had not previously done as in my previous level of
education, there wasn’t much focus on precision and accuracy. While completing my titration and
colorimetry, I discovered how important it was that I was as accurate as possible with all my
measurements so that I would achieve a good result and be able to calculate an exact concentration.
To read the meniscus I had ensured I was at eye level with the liquid and added it drop by drop using
a dropping pipette when it was close to the graduation mark of my volumetric flask so that the
bottom of my meniscus was exactly on the line. I also had read my meniscus when using my burette.
After I added 1cm3 of acid, I always ensured I read the meniscus accurately by going down to
eyelevel and working out my value to 2d.p. One of my peers noticed me slightly struggling to read
my meniscus in my burette so they gave me a piece of paper to place behind the burette as it made
I have been given the task to analyse and evaluate my performances after completing a series of
experiments. I have identified skills that I have developed whilst performing practices in colorimetry,
titration, calorimetry, and chromatography. Before performing these experiments, I had a minimal
number of skills that I had developed and out of the skills that I did have, they were not developed
to a high degree. After completing these experiments, I was able to develop numerous skills to a
good degree which can be useful in not only other experiments, but also other aspects of my life. I
found many skills that I have learnt to be extremely useful and transferable to other units within my
applied science course. For example, learning how to work with volatile substances in a fume
cupboard was useful when performing experiments to produce ethyl ethanoate in unit 4. And my
new skill of planning an experiment and justifying the equipment I have used was useful in unit 3
were I had to defend my use of certain equipment, techniques and procedures and analyse my
strengths and weaknesses in doing this. I have constructed a table to help visualise the skills I already
had before starting the course and some of the skills I have gained after completing this unit.
Skills I had before starting the Skills I gained after Skills I would like to develop
course completing this unit
Performing paper Performing thin layer Using a range of different
chromatography chromatography to determine solvents to see how they
the composition of a impact my results
substance
Weighing to a gram Weighing to 2.d.p Weighing out to 3d.p and
accurately weighing out liquids
Using a dropping pipette Using a glass volumetric Using an automated pipette
pipette and bulb filler to for better accuracy and
transfer exact amount of fluid precision
Performing titration using an Performing titration to Performing titration using a
indicator determine concentration using variety of probes
a PH probe
Using a standard alcohol Using a calibrated digital Using a data logger to record
thermometer thermometer to record results
changes in temperature
Dissolving solids to make a Making a standard solution by Making multiple serial
solution dissolving an exact amount of dilutions
solid
Skills I have learnt and developed (P7+M4)-
Colorimetry and Titration-
Before I had completed this experiment, I had already developed some skills that aided me through
my experiment. Firstly, I had already developed the ability to listen and follow instructions which
was necessary as I had to carefully listen to my teacher and read my method sheet thoroughly to
ensure I completed the steps of my experiment accurately and precisely so that I could gain reliable
, results while making sure I was working safely. Working in a safe environment was another thing
that I had previously learned from school and earlier experiments. It is aways necessary to conduct
experiments in a safe working environment to ensure no accidents occur and cause dangerous
situations. Using a weighing balance was a piece of equipment I had used on many occasions
previously but as I performed this experiment, I was able to develop this skill further to improve my
accuracy and technique by learning how to weigh to 2.d.p. Overall, I was able to successfully develop
my titration skills as previously I had only ever carried out simple titration using an indicator whereas
I have now learnt how to successfully us a pH meter.
Whilst performing my titration, I had developed the skill of using a burette. As I was working with
hydrochloric acid, it was imperative that I was careful as any accidents would be very dangerous and
harmful, so I ensured I was conducting my experiment safely. I have developed the ability to fill up a
burette correctly and safely using a funnel and ensuring I did not have to overreach when pouring
my liquid into it so that nothing spilled and caused an accident. I also learnt how to handle and
control the burette tap so that when I was approaching my colour change, I could add my acid drop
by drop into my solution to guarantee the accuracy of my results. When filling up my burette before
completing my experiment, I ensured that I allowed some of the acid to drain out so that the tap
could be filled with acid rather than air as this would give me incorrect results. I found that I had
improved my ability to use a burette from the last time that I used one as this time I was able to
achieve concordant titre values whereas previously I was unable to do so. I believe I was more skilful
at using a burette than some of my peers as they were unable to achieve concordant results and had
to perform their titration several times to achieve good enough results to work with.
Even though I had previously used a dropping pipette at many points in my life, I had never used a
glass volumetric pipette to transfer fluids. This new piece of equipment required me to learn how to
use a bulb filler and grapple with which of the 3 points to squeeze to either draw water in or out or
release air. It was difficult to ensure I drew in the correct amount of liquid so that my meniscus was
exactly on the graduation mark at eye level, but I was able to successfully complete this after a few
tries. I am now confident that I can use this piece of equipment accurately and safely. However, the
first time I used one I had to be corrected by my teacher on how to hold it when placing my bulb
filler onto it. I was not holding my pipette at its end near where the filler should go which was
dangerous as if I had put too much pressure onto the pipette it could have snapped and caused me a
serious injury. But I quickly rectified this and placed my hands in a more appropriate place to ensure
my safety as a result of my teachers' critiques. I was even able to correct and help some of my peers
who were making the same mistake I had made when holding the pipette to ensure they were
working safely, and no one got hurt. I would like to further develop my skills by learning how to use
an automated pipette as it would allow an accurate amount of liquid to automatically be transferred
which will help to reduce any human error and speed up my process.
Reading a meniscus was something that I had not previously done as in my previous level of
education, there wasn’t much focus on precision and accuracy. While completing my titration and
colorimetry, I discovered how important it was that I was as accurate as possible with all my
measurements so that I would achieve a good result and be able to calculate an exact concentration.
To read the meniscus I had ensured I was at eye level with the liquid and added it drop by drop using
a dropping pipette when it was close to the graduation mark of my volumetric flask so that the
bottom of my meniscus was exactly on the line. I also had read my meniscus when using my burette.
After I added 1cm3 of acid, I always ensured I read the meniscus accurately by going down to
eyelevel and working out my value to 2d.p. One of my peers noticed me slightly struggling to read
my meniscus in my burette so they gave me a piece of paper to place behind the burette as it made
