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In the HSC Chemistry Course we investigate the accuracy, reliability and validity
of an experiment in terms of the first-hand data and the first-hand investigation.
identify data, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to compare the reactivities of
appropriate alkenes with the corresponding alkanes in bromine water
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Control: Repeat the above steps for a 10 mL test tube containing 5 mL of distilled water.
solve problems, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to carry out the fermentation of
glucose and monitor mass changes
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I have not included the possible usage of a Buchner flask with a stopper and delivery tube,
and a beaker containing limewater. This is not necessary for the exam, but it is useful to
understand that it is used to indicate the production of CO2, through the formation of a
cloudy white precipitate, and thus indicating that fermentation is occurring.
Control: Repeat the above steps without the addition of yeast.
identify data sources, choose resources and perform a first-hand investigation to determine
and compare heats of combustion of at least three liquid alkanols per gram and per mole
1. Record the initial mass of the spirit burner using an electronic scale.
2. Add 200 mL of water to the aluminum can using a measuring cylinder.
3. Set up apparatus as drawn below:
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I have been non-specific here, but the exam may intend for you to use the metals stated in
a question or to use named metals from the experiment you performed in school.
perform a first-hand investigation to prepare and test a natural indicator
1. Boil 100 g of shredded red cabbage in 250 mL of water until the water turns darkpurple.
2. Allow mixture to cool and decant dark-purple indicator solution into a clean beaker.
3. Add one drop of each 1M test solution in separate spots on a spotting plate using a
droplet. Some possible test solutions include HCL, CH3COOH, NaCl, NH3 and NaOH
4. Add one drop of the indicator to each spot and record colour changes using a
droplet.
identify data, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to decarbonate soft drink and
gather data to measure the mass changes involved and calculate the volume of gas released
at 25C and 100kPa
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Record the mass of an unopened soft drink can using an electronic scale.
Open the can, allowing the CO2 gas to escape.
Place the can on a hotplate, on low heat for 10 minutes.
Allow the can to cool before reweighing and recording the mass change.
Control: Repeat the above steps for a washed soft drink can containing only distilled water.
pH probes
1. Calibrate the pH probe before use by placing the probe in buffer solutions, of
known pH, and adjusting the meter to give appropriate readings.
2. Rinse the probe with distilled water between measurements and blot dry using a
piece of tissue, to avoid contamination.
Indicators
1. Add one drop of the test chemicals to separate spots on a spotting plate using a
dropper.
2. Add one drop of the indicator solution to each spot using a dropper.
3. Compare the colours observed with a pH indicator chart.
perform a first-hand investigation using the preparation of standard solutions
They allow us to visualise which various bonds are being broken and which formed
and they give us an idea of the shape of the molecule being made and their atomic
constituents. They illustrate the stepwise nature of the process. They allows us to
appreciate the three-dimensional nature of the process.
The relative sizes of, and distances between the atoms are unrealistic. The dynamic
nature of molecules and their bonds is not shown. They are an oversimplification of
complex chemical process.
I have answered this question very generally using a Molymod kit. When asked for a specific
reaction it is good to specifically say what the balls, connectors and motion of separating or joining
them represented e.g. hydrogen atoms, double bond opening up, addition reaction and etc.
identify data, plan, select equipment and perform a first- hand investigation to prepare an
ester using reflux
4. Connect the tubing to the tap and condenser, and turn the tap on so there is uniform
flow.
5. Heat the mixture under reflux for 45 minutes, and allow 5 minutes to cool. Turn off
tap after.
6. Remove the flask and decant content into a separating funnel containing 15 mL of
water.
7. Stopper the funnel and shake
8. Allow layers to separate and then drain off and discard the lower aqueous layer.
9. Add 15 mL of Na2CO3 to remove sulfuric acid.
10.Again shake, allow to separate, drain and discard the lower aqueous layer.
11.Place 5 g of anhydrous magnesium sulphate into a conical flask.
12.Pour the remaining contents of the funnel into the conical flask.
13.Decant the final ester into a round bottom flask, after 10 minutes.
You will never have to recite the entire experiment, rather the HSC tends to ask for specific
parts such as setting up the reflex apparatus or the filtration/purification process.
identify data, plan, select equipment and perform first- hand investigations to measure the
sulfate content of lawn fertiliser and explain the chemistry involved
1. Grind up a sample of fertilizer into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
2. Weigh out 1 g of the powder using an electronic balance.
3. Dissolve the powder in 100 mL of distilled water in a 250 mL beaker using a stirring
rod.
4. Filter the solution in a clean 250 mL beaker using filter paper.
5. Add 25 mL of 1M HCl to remove carbonates.
6. Heat the mixture just below boiling using a hotplate.
7. Slowly add 20 mL or an excess amount of 20% BaCl2 solution with constant stirring.
8. Digest and stir the mixture for 30 minutes.
9. Allow the beaker to cool and then rest in ice.
10.Filter the solution through a sintered glass funnel.
11.Wash the precipitate using a wash bottle, once with distilled water and again with
acetone.
12.Dry the precipitate on the sintered glass funnel in an oven.
13.Cool it in a desiccator.
14.Weigh and record the funnel and precipitate.
15.Repeat Step 12 14 until a constant mass is reached.
You do not need to memorise this process as they would never ask you to recite one,
rather it is important to understand the purpose of each step.
I have gone more in-depth into the industrial practicals as the HSC tends to test them more
holistically when they ask about them.
identify data, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to model an equilibrium
reaction
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Advantages:
Shows the effect of changes in concentrations on reactants and products.
Simple, visual and easy to understand.
Emphasises that equilibrium occurs in a closed system.
Disadvantages:
Cannot show effect of temperature and pressure changes on equilibrium.
Cannot show the effect of a catalyst.
Safety Concerns:
Safety Precautions:
perform first-hand investigations to observe the reactions of sulfuric acid acting as:
an oxidising agent a dehydrating agent
Dehydration
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Zn(s) will degrade, the solution is colourless but H2(g) can be indicated with the pop test.
identify data, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to identify the products of
the electrolysis of sodium chloride
1. Add 100 mL of water and 10 g of NaCl in a 150 mL beaker (dilute NaCl solution)
2. Add 100 mL of water and 60 g of NaCl in a 150 mL beaker (conc. NaCl solution)
3. Clamp a U-tube to a retort stand. Attach two carbon electrodes to a 6 V power
source and place one in each opening of the U-tube. Pour some dilute NaCl in.
4. Add 2 drop of Universal indicator at both openings.
5. Turn on the power source and record any colour changes at the anode and cathode.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 but with concentrated NaCl solution.
Dilute NaCl:
Concentrated NaCl:
perform a first-hand investigation to carry out saponification and test the product
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Testing:
1. Use six 50 mL test tubes and place 5 g of salt in two of them, 5 mL of synthetic
detergent in another two and nothing in the last two.
2. Fill each test tube with 20 mL of water and 5 mL of oil.
3. Stopper each test-tube and shake vigorously for the same amount of time.
4. Record whether an emulsion or separate layer was formed and height of foam.
Use:
perform a first-hand investigation to assess risk factors and then carry out a chemical
step involved in the Solvay process, identifying any difficulties associated with the
laboratory modeling of the step
To model the decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate:
1. Carefully place 2 g of NaHCO3 into a pre-weighed test tube and fit with a gas
delivery tube and stopper.
2. Clamp the test tube in a slanted fashion onto a retort stand and place a bunsen
burner under the tube.
3. Fill a beaker with 200 mL of limewater, and place the gas delivery tube into it.
4. Heat the test tube for 5 minutes, recording all observations.
5. Reweigh the test tube and determine the loss in weight.
Results:
Safety Concern:
Safety Precautions:
Difficulties associated:
The difficulty encountered in this experiment was that it was not clear when the
reaction had gone to completion, as both NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 is a white powder.
Observation of when CO2 stops bubbling through limewater allows us to
identify when the reaction is complete.