Unit 2b: Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
Issue date: 23/02/2022
Deadline: 09/03/2022
Introduction:
In this assignment I will need to demonstrate my ability to use evaluate cooling curves resulting from
a calorimeter and subsequent equipment. I will need to show evidence of my analytical ability and
evaluation of our data received from the practical.
The two cooling curves we will be studying are of paraffin wax and stearic acid.
Cooling curve of stearic acid:
Equipment:
A digital thermometer
A liquid thermometer
Bunsen burner
250ml beaker
Retort stand and clamp
Boss head
Stop clock
Tripod
Gauze
Boiling tube with solid Stearic Acid
Heat resistant mat
Risk assessment:
Hazard Risk Hazard Level Safety Emergency
Precaution Actions
Boiling water Hot water burns Medium Handle with care If hot water burn
and damage to and wear occurs on your
skin appropriate lab hand run it under
gear such as lab plenty of cold
coat and gloves water
If the case is very
serious seek
medical attention
Bunsen burner Burning yourself Medium Wear proper lab If skin is burnt,
or setting gear including lab wash with lots of
something on coat and gloves cold water.
fire. to prevent your
clothes from If something is
, Fire Hazard catching alight set alight, grab
and burning. fire extinguisher
or pull fire alarm
Stay extra in emergency
cautious while cases
the bunsen
burner is turned If clothing is set
on. alight take
clothing off to
Know where fire prevent skin
extinguisher or burning
fire alarm is in
case of
emergency
Glassware Breakage and Low Don’t leave the If broken, don’t
cuts glassware on the touch with
edge where it hands, clean up
could fall and with dustpan and
handle carefully brush.
If cut, receive
medical attention
Stearic acid Skin and eye Low Wear lab goggles, Wash contact
irritant coat and gloves area with lots of
water
General Safety Precautions:
Safety Goggles
Lab Coat
Gloves
Hair tied back
Method:
Before starting this experiment, both thermometers were washed and calibrated through the ice
water method in which we filled a jug half with ice and then added water to fill the jug. After stirring
we submerge the thermometer, making sure it doesn’t touch the side or bottom of the container,
while pressing the calibration button on the digital thermometer until it completed and showed a
reading of 0°C. We repeated this with the liquid thermometer in which we submerged it for about
one minute and if it doesn’t read 0°C then adjust the calibration nut until it does, that means it’s
calibrated.
Step by step method:
We started by setting up the bunsen burner on a heat proof mat with a metal tripod and gauze
above it with a clamp attached to a retort stand next to it. We then started pouring 150ml of water
into the beaker and heating it on the tripod and gauze until the water started to boil.
Issue date: 23/02/2022
Deadline: 09/03/2022
Introduction:
In this assignment I will need to demonstrate my ability to use evaluate cooling curves resulting from
a calorimeter and subsequent equipment. I will need to show evidence of my analytical ability and
evaluation of our data received from the practical.
The two cooling curves we will be studying are of paraffin wax and stearic acid.
Cooling curve of stearic acid:
Equipment:
A digital thermometer
A liquid thermometer
Bunsen burner
250ml beaker
Retort stand and clamp
Boss head
Stop clock
Tripod
Gauze
Boiling tube with solid Stearic Acid
Heat resistant mat
Risk assessment:
Hazard Risk Hazard Level Safety Emergency
Precaution Actions
Boiling water Hot water burns Medium Handle with care If hot water burn
and damage to and wear occurs on your
skin appropriate lab hand run it under
gear such as lab plenty of cold
coat and gloves water
If the case is very
serious seek
medical attention
Bunsen burner Burning yourself Medium Wear proper lab If skin is burnt,
or setting gear including lab wash with lots of
something on coat and gloves cold water.
fire. to prevent your
clothes from If something is
, Fire Hazard catching alight set alight, grab
and burning. fire extinguisher
or pull fire alarm
Stay extra in emergency
cautious while cases
the bunsen
burner is turned If clothing is set
on. alight take
clothing off to
Know where fire prevent skin
extinguisher or burning
fire alarm is in
case of
emergency
Glassware Breakage and Low Don’t leave the If broken, don’t
cuts glassware on the touch with
edge where it hands, clean up
could fall and with dustpan and
handle carefully brush.
If cut, receive
medical attention
Stearic acid Skin and eye Low Wear lab goggles, Wash contact
irritant coat and gloves area with lots of
water
General Safety Precautions:
Safety Goggles
Lab Coat
Gloves
Hair tied back
Method:
Before starting this experiment, both thermometers were washed and calibrated through the ice
water method in which we filled a jug half with ice and then added water to fill the jug. After stirring
we submerge the thermometer, making sure it doesn’t touch the side or bottom of the container,
while pressing the calibration button on the digital thermometer until it completed and showed a
reading of 0°C. We repeated this with the liquid thermometer in which we submerged it for about
one minute and if it doesn’t read 0°C then adjust the calibration nut until it does, that means it’s
calibrated.
Step by step method:
We started by setting up the bunsen burner on a heat proof mat with a metal tripod and gauze
above it with a clamp attached to a retort stand next to it. We then started pouring 150ml of water
into the beaker and heating it on the tripod and gauze until the water started to boil.
