Unit: 2 Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
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Introduction
The following report that has been provided below is an evaluation of the execution of the
procedures and techniques that were undertaken by me while carrying out the different
experiments, which included titration and colorimetry from aim A, calorimetry from aim B, and
chromatography from C. Examples of the points that I will be evaluating will be based on my own
performance when following the different methods, my interpersonal skills including communication
with the surrounding individuals, and professional practice that led to reliable data to be achieved by
me. One example of the several key practical and personal skills that were developed and put to
work while carrying out the different investigations was applying safe working practices and
behaviour to avoid any accidents that could lead to dangers such as injuries to the surrounding
individuals and myself, which will be further discussed later in the report. Lastly, the skills that were
either developed or learnt while completing this unit will be utilized to help me while the completion
of other units of this course.
Titration – Aim A
Titration was an experiment where the reactants were accurately mixed in the correct proportions
by ending up with a solution containing salt and water only as a conclusion, and where the products
were neutral (pH 7). In the experiment, the aim was to determine the concentration of a sample of
sodium hydroxide accurately and skilfully.
Previously acquired skills development
There were not many previously acquired skills since the titration from aim A was the first practical, I
was carrying out professionally with a method that I had produced myself with minimal supervision
compared to the previous years of education. However, before commencing any research about the
investigation, I was aware of what titration was about, how it could be carried out, and that it was
carried out to find out the concentration of a solution. All this knowledge was improved as I
researched more about it for the assignment as well as the method that I was supposed to take with
me when beginning the practical.
Additionally, some general skills that I have improved while carrying out my investigation includes
my teamworking skills as well as how I work efficiently independently, which was improved when I
was following a written method without abundant supervision of a teacher. Alternatively, some
other general skills that were included in the investigation were my maths and english skills which
were used while writing my assignment, where I wrote the different sections such as the evaluation,
analysis, method, conclusion, and other sections.
New skills acquired
During the investigation of the concentration of different substances such as hydrochloric acid and
sodium hydroxide, I achieved abundance of new skills that were all attained through various parts of
the investigation such as while carrying out the calibration of the different pieces of equipment, the
making of the standard solution, the first titration, and the second titration.
When the calibration of the different pieces of equipment was being carried out, there were
different skills that were being learned by me. For example, before carrying out the practical itself
and doing the research about how a burette or bulb pipette would be calibrated, I was not aware of
how this process would be done. Therefore, a skill I was taught was how to calibrate different pieces
, of equipment. Additionally, I was also not aware of how different pieces of equipment were often
needed to be calibrated to make sure that they are fully accurate, however, after carrying out the
practical, I was aware of how that should be done to ensure accuracy to the data is fully provided.
Furthermore, another skill I had learned was to how a weighing scale would be calibrated, which was
by utilizing accurate masses. However, as mentioned in the assignment itself, this was done already
by an external organisation due to how it would be very hard to do without any direct contact with
the masses but by utilizing forceps but the research that was done to find out how the weighing
scale would be calibrated has allowed me to gain a new skill where I would be confidently able to
calibrate a weighing scale.
While carrying out the process of producing the standard solution, NaHCO3, I utilized new equipment
such as a weighing boat, which was part of key pieces of equipment that would allow me to produce
a standard solution with an accurate concentration. Additionally, there were other pieces of
equipment that I was not aware of how they are included while carrying out different practicals such
as a volumetric flask as well as a weighing scale. Although, I was aware of how to utilize a weighing
scale, I didn’t utilize it in a scientific investigation such as titration. Furthermore, while pouring the
distilled water into the volumetric flask, I learned how to be aware when the perfect amount of
solution is added into a piece of equipment such as a volumetric flask and that is by looking at the
bottom of the meniscus. The skill was to be aware of how to utilize a meniscus to see when the right
amount of solution is added. Lastly, another skill that I had learned through the making of the
standard solution was how to utilize two mathematical equations, which were Concentration =
Moles ÷ Volume and Moles = Mass ÷ Mr.
The first and second titration, which were the main parts of the whole experiment taught me several
skills. One of main skills that these titrations have taught me is how to utilize different pieces of
equipment such as the burette, which I was not aware of how to utilize at all as titration was a
practical that I did not carry out in the previous years of education. Additionally, I also learned how
to use a bulb pipette and pipette filler, which I also was not aware of how to utilize. Furthermore,
while carrying out the practical, I learned how to set up the titration apparatus where the burette
was clamped to the stand and made sure that the tap was fastened, and this is a skill that can allow
me to set up a titration apparatus again in the future if needed. Moreover, a skill that was more than
a useful knowledge was the fact that conditioning of different pieces of equipment was required
before commencing a practical to make sure that there is no contamination from previous practical’s
that could have affected accuracy.
After the titration practical was carried out and data was achieved, the skill that I attained was to
produce a detailed scientific report where the data was compared. To compare the data, I utilized a
few techniques such as utilizing the equation for percentage error as well as comparing results with
the other individuals in the class, which I was not aware of how to do. Therefore, these are two skills
that I have learned through the evaluation of the data achieved. Additionally, to achieve more
accurate and precise results, another skill was attained, which was to repeat the method a few times
until concordant results were achieved, which were later added together to find a mean value.
Furthermore, while writing up the scientific report, I produced a risk assessment for the first time
with the help of research, and this was a skill that I attained, which would be especially useful for all
assignments that included practicals. Moreover, the skill that I achieved was how to Harvard
reference, which was something I had never done before in my previous studies, but this skill will be
put into use in all the other assignments that will be carried out in the future when I would be
utilizing an online website for research purposes.
Responsibility for quality of work
