Classic Chemistry Experiments:
an introduction to the chemical laboratory

by Neil Rapp

    This laboratory manual is designed for first time high school chemistry students.  Basic laboratory safety and skills are stressed.  The goal of the book is to maximize the use of labs in 45 minute periods, while keeping the classic experiments intact.  These labs are designed to develop basic chemical laboratory skills, relate problem solving to experiments, and to include specific, step-by-step instructions, including cleanup, for each exercise.  Standard laboratory glassware is used throughout the manual. Optional worksheets can be added to be used with the World of Chemistry video series, available from the Annenberg/CPB project.

Table of Contents:

Laboratory Safety and Equipment    1
     Safety Contract - Teacher Copy (Sign and Return)  3
     Safety Contract - Student Copy (Keep in Lab Manual)    7
     Lab Cleaning Checklist   10
     Sample Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - Sodium Chloride (table salt)    11
     Sample Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) - Water  14
     Chemistry Laboratory Equipment List     17
     Advanced Chemistry Laboratory Equipment List 18
     Pictures and functions of some basic laboratory equipment   19

Writing A Laboratory Report   22
     Informal  22
     Formal    22
     Research Notebook   25

Using the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics   27
     CRC Handbook Exercise    28

Using the Internet as a Chemistry Reference  29

Laboratory Experiments   30
     Observations of Cupric Chloride    31
     Scientific Measurement and Density 34
     Specific Heat of Lead    40
     Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass   45
     Flame Tests    48
     Chemistry of Light  51
     Ionic Bonding:  Determining Chemical Formulas     55
     Formula of a Hydrate     60
     Mass-Mass Stoichiometry and Limiting Reactant     63
     Molar Volume of a Gas    69
     Acids and Bases     73
     Standardization of a NaOH solution 77
     Vinegar Titration   81
     Antacid Titration   85
     Preparation of Aspirin   86
     Preparation of Soap 87
     Tollens' Reaction:  The Silver Bottle   89

Appendix A - Common Element/Symbol List 91

Appendix B - Polyatomic Ion List   92

World of Chemistry Video Series Worksheets   95
     An Introduction     96
     Color     97
     Measurement    98
     Modeling the Unseen 99
     A Matter of State   100
     The Atom  101
     The Periodic Table  102
     Chemical Bonds 103
     Molecular Architecture   104
     Signals from Within 105
     The Mole  106
     Water     107
     The Driving Forces  108
     Molecules in Action 109
     The Busy Electron   110
     The Proton in Chemistry  111
     The Precious Envelope    112
     Chemistry of Earth  113
     Metals    114
     On the Surface 115
     Carbon    116
     The Age of Polymers 117
     Proteins  118
     The Genetic Code    119
     Chemistry and the Environment 120
     Futures   121

for review and purchasing information, please contact:
Neil Rapp, 2744 Pinehurst Drive, Bloomington, IN 477403.  (812) 333-4116
E-mail: neilrapp@insightbb.com  Web Site: http://home.insightbb.com/~neilrapp/book.htm

Ionic bonding worksheets appear courtesy of Steiner Enterprises, the manufacturers of CheMags.  They are available from Sargent-Welch at 1-800-SARGENT.

World of Chemistry, a PBS telecourse, is produced by the Annenberg/CPB project.   For more information, call 1-800-LEARNER.

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