Laboratory Science (Level 6)

The content of thiscourse is rather more complex than most similar ones. But is still manageable.

There are 4 mandatory units:

• Quality and Health and Safety Systems in Science Industries (DF82 34)
• Fundamental Chemistry: An Introduction (DX29 33)
• Mathematics for Science (F3T8 11) or Mathematics for Science 2 (HP9W 45)
• Microbiological Techniques (D042 12)

There is then an enormous list of optional units from which learners must select between 2 and 4 from two separate sections (B & C) (There are also 'Bridging' units in section A of which learners can do up to 2 - but it is not mandatory to do so).

The list seems very long but is not as complex as it first seems in that the list includes 4 Units from the current Higher Chemistry plus 4 from the previous 'revised' Higher CHemistry and 3 from the Old Higher Chemistry.

We won't concern ourselves with the older courses but information and activities realted to the current higher. 

• Chemical Changes and Structure (JIYK 76)
• Researching Chemistry ( J204 76)
• Nature's Chemistry (J23C 76)
• Chemistry in Society (J23E 76)

Can be found on the Higher Chemistry page here.

The other chemistry related units are:

Experimental Procedures – Science (HN8D 46) and Experimental Procedures – Chemistry (HN8A 46)

these two are effectively identical other than the fact that in the science version, activities must include biology and chemistry as well. But all the suggested activities in the Unit Support notes are the same.

Experimental Procedures: Science/Chemistry

Outcome 1 - Perform experimental procedures and record experimental results.

Learners need to do 6 experiments. (For science, only 2 must be chemistry)

Outcome 2 - Process experimental results.

Learners need to provide reports for 6 experiments (For science, only 2 must be chemistry).

The sensible approach is to do Outcome 2 for the experiments in Outcome 1.

Some Suggested activities from the Unit Support Notes are:

Preparation of a standard solution to a calculated molarity in the order of  (0.1 mol l^-1) or  (0.05 mol l^-1)

Details of how to make up solutions are on the National 5 laboratory Science page. The procedure is the same at this level though a greater level of accuracy may be required.

Chemistry for N5 Laboratory Science

Titration (concordant to 0.1 cm³)

As above, there is a straightforward method for carrying out a titration given here. All that is different is the level of acccuracy.

Chemistry for N5 Laboratory Science

Measurement of pH of a series of solutions using a pH meter

See pH Measurement

Identification of an unknown substance using simple melting point measurement

Melting Point of Benzoic Acid

Chromatography to identify an unknown substance

A simple paper chromatography activity can be found under the National 5 laboratory Science pages.

Chemistry for N5 Laboratory Science

But see also:

TLC of Soy Sauce

TLC of spearmint oil - part of the Terpenes workshop.

Refluxing and distillation

A well know activity using reflux is Hydrolysis of ethyl benzoate one of the old AH PPAs.

Another AH PPA involving distillation this time is Preparation of cyclohexene.

There are many others though. A simple example of a distillation can be found as a part of the National 5 Laboratory Science materiasl. Chemistry for N5 Laboratory Science

Experimental determination of the percentage yield of a product

A simple version of this is part of the extraction of paracetamol from tablets.

Solvent extraction

A simple version of this too is the extraction of paracetamol from tablets.

Recrystallisation

The extraction of paracetamol above also includes recrystallisation from cold water.

Quantitative analysis using a spectrometer

The SSERC activity to investigate Iron or Manganese in tea is a good example of this - although it is written to use a colorimeter, you can just as easily use a spectrometer set to the right wavelength.

Outcome 3 - Plan, organise and complete a laboratory based project.

Some suggested chemistry-related activities in the unit support notes are;

Chemistry of sunscreens

This can be investigated colorimetrically using the Sunscreens and Cyanotypes experiment.

Extraction and analysis of essential oils/active ingredients from sources (eg clove oil)

The extraction of Limonene from orange zest provides a good extraction method.

Food analysis: eg analysis of ‘healthy option’ vs standard crisps (eg fat, moisture, fibre, salt)

See Determination of Fat in Crisps

Fuel chemistry: comparison of fuels, eg biodiesel vs diesel

The SSERC inventigation into biodiesel fits the bill here

Kinetics: study of factors affecting rates of reaction

Lots of options. A good one is the microscale version of the reaction of sodium thiosulphate with hydrochloric acid Thiosulphate-acid reaction – microscale

Process Chemistry: An Introduction

There is no specific guidance on practical activities here but:

Outcome 1 - Describe and use the nomenclature and reactions of selected hydrocarbons

The suggested compounds to be studied are: alkanes, alkenes, alkanols, alkanals, alkanones, alkanoic acids, and esters. Once nomenclature has been developed candidates should be introduced to the main chemical reactions of a range of organic compounds.

This is very broad. Practical activities relating to organic chemistry can be found in:

National 5 Chemistry - Natures Chemistry

Higher Chemistry - Nature's Chemistry and

Advanced Higher Chemistry - Organic Chemistry

Outcome 2 - Describe the industrial production, economic demands, and environmental impact of a selected organic product

No specific chemistry mentioned here but depending on the process being studied, there could be practical work involved.

Outcome 3 - Describe the factors affecting the corrosion and degradation of metals and other selected materials.

There will be some practical work here. As yet, we don't have anything relevant.

Outcome 4 - Describe methods for the prevention of corrosion of metals and other selected materials.

Same as above.