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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LAB

You can read the instructions in HTML format anytime you have access to a computer by clicking on the experiment's title, these instructions are not recommended for printing as they require more paper than their PDF versions. If you want to print the instructions, click on [PDF], these files require a PDF reader for viewing.


FORMAT OF LABORATORY REPORTS [HTML][PDF]
ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL DATA [HTML][PDF]
MOLECULAR GRAPHICS - WEB PROJECTS
POV-RAY: Mercury's Hall of Fame
[HTML][PDF]
[HTML]
BOMB CALORIMETRY [HTML][PDF]
pKa OF A DYE [UV-VIS SPECTROMETRY] [HTML][PDF]
CHEMICAL KINETICS [HTML][PDF]
ENZYME KINETICS [UV-VIS SPECTROMETRY] [HTML][PDF]
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY [HTML][PDF]
NMR - STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
[provided by Dr. Padmanava Pradhan]
[HTML][PDF]
SURFACE TENSION
Fisher Tensiomat Model 21 Operation Manual
[HTML][PDF]
[PDF]


BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] J.L. Richards, J. Chem. Educ., 70, 687, (1993)
[2] H.C. Corben and P. Stehle, Classical Mechanics, 2nd ed., Dover Publications, New York (1960)
[3] G. Christian, "Analytical Chemistry", 5th ed., Wiley and Sons, New York (1994)
[4] M. France, "Lab Manual for Physical Chemistry" , D. Van Nostrand Company, New York (1928)
[5] D. Harris, "Quantitative Chemical Analysis", 4th ed., W. H. Freeman, New York (1995)
[6] P. Atkins, "Physical Chemistry", 5th ed., W. H. Freeman, New York (1994)
[7] D.A. McQuarrie and J.C. Simon, Physical Chemistry A Molecular Approach, University Science Books, Sausalito, CA (1997)
[8] K. Shoemaker, C. Garland, and J. Nibler, Experiments in Physical Chemistry", McGraw-Hill, New York, (1995)
[9] K. Van Holde, "Physical Biochemistry", Prentice-Hall, New Jersey (1971)
[10] I. Sokolnikoff, and E. Sokolnikoff, Higher Mathematics for Engineers and Physists", 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, (1941)
[11] R. D. Braun, "Introduction to Chemical Analysis" McGraw-Hill, New York, (1982)
[12] R. C. Bateman, J. A. Evans "Using the Glucose Oxidase/Peroxidase System in Enzyme Kinetics" J. Chem. Educ., 72(12), A240-41, (1995)


SAMPLE LAB REPORTS

These are unedited versions of reports written by former students and are provided only for reference as to the reports' format. The documents have been selected because they fit most of the standard guidelines.
The information and conclusions contained in these documents might or might not be correct. In fact, you are better off assuming all conclusions are wrong.

GAMMA - THE ADIABATIC EXPANSION METHOD [PDF]
[HTML]
BOMB CALORIMETRY [PDF]
MOLECULAR GRAPHICS - WEB PROJECTS [PDF]
[HTML]
ENZYME KINETICS [PDF]
SURFACE TENSION [PDF]
pKa OF A DYE [PDF]

Other Information

Instructions, guidelines and due dates on this webpage are the most up to date versions and supersede anything written on paper.

Reports can be submitted by email but if the student thinks he/she will have trouble sending an email the report should be submitted in person.

About Grading: In this class we do not give INCompletes. Grade sheets will be submitted to the professor in charge of lecture ONE WEEK AFTER THE LAST REPORT IS DUE. If a student is missing reports by that date at midnight the grade fields will be filled in with ZEROES to compute the average according to the standard protocol. Reports are considered to be on time until midnight of the due date

[Lab Schedule/Due dates]



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I get a textbook for the class?
The textbook is contained entirely on this web page. Students are required to print their own instructions for the experiments. An off-line version of this web page with the stand-alone programs can be obtained from your instructor; just provide a blank CD or storage media with 60 MB of free space.

Do I have to do the experiments in the order in which they are listed?
No, the experiments don't need to be done in the order in which they are listed. Some of the Physical Chemistry equipment is often in short supply. Thus your group might, for example, be doing the CALORIMETRY experiment while another group is doing CHEMICAL KINETICS.

How many reports do I have to hand in?
You must hand in a total of SIX(6) reports.

What experiments/reports do I have to hand in?
This depends on the availability of equipment. But just to give an idea:

  • One report for BOMB CALORIMETRY.
  • One report for CHEMICAL KINETICS.
  • One report for SURFACE TENSION.
  • One report for the pKa of a dye using UV-VIS spectrometry.
  • One report for ENZYME KINETICS using UV-VIS spectrometry.
  • The WEB-PROJECTS and MOLECULAR GRAPHICS will be combined to make one report. Each group will be assigned one small PROTEIN-LIGAND complex. You are expected to use web-based applications to explain important facts about the protein-ligand complex and use programs such as POV-RAY and RASMOL to MAKE YOUR OWN PICTURES.
  • The LITERATURE SEARCH does not require a report of its own but all reports have a REFERENCE section that will be graded on your ability to cite the literature following the standard protocol. You MUST cite other scientists who did the experiment before you and compare your results with theirs.
  • In the event that an experiment cannot be carried out it will be replaced by either GC-MS or NMR.