Post-lab Report Guidelines

Hypothesis

Write a hypothesis for how you think the enthalpy of combustion for each alcohol will change as the

molecule increases in size. Ensure you explain the reason behind your hypothesis

Raw data

Raw data is any data that is the result of NO mathematical processing. This includes:

Your qualitative observations in a table

All quantitative data that hasn't been subject to calculations.

Processed Data

Processes data is any data that is the result of mathematical processing.

In our investigation, it will be the % composition of each mixture and the average boiling point.

All processed calculations go here, including (for all 3 mixtures)

A raw data table, with units and uncertainty values for measurements.

A processed data table, with units for measurements.

A fully worked calculation for determining:

The percentage composition of the mixtures in terms of the solvents present (e.g

90% propan-1-ol 10% propan-2-ol)

The average boiling point

A graph showing the percentage composition by volume vs average boiling point (just

choose the percentage composition of one of the mixture components) with a trendline

Make sure the graph has a clear title + labelled axes with units.

A calculation to determine the experimental error through comparison of your determined

value with the expected (literature) value.

The literature values can be found in Section 13 of the Data Booklet (page 13)

Other tips

When showing sample calculations, try to explain the purpose of each step
 Show balanced equations (word and symbol, balanced, state symbols included) where

required

Conclusion

Your conclusion should include the following:

State the average boiling points calculated for each mixture in your experiment.
A statement on whether your hypothesis was supported.
Supporting data to back up any claim you made regarding your hypothesis
o Describe the trend in your data. Use data points in your answer
o Explain the trend in your data. Use data points in your answer
Look up the literature value for the solvents and then use the following formula to determine the

experimental error (this can only be done for the pure substances, as in 100% of one of the

substances). Show your working as a sample calculation:

Experimental error = literature value - experimentally determined value x 100

literature value

Comment on the accuracy of boiling points we determined for the pure substances (e.g. - 100% of

one solvent)

Evaluation
 You need to discuss the sources of error of the experiments. I recommend at least 5

sources. Concentrate on things that affected the accuracy and precision of your data

(such as sample size, repeats and precision of measuring instrumentation).

Classify the errors as being major, medium or minor.

Classify them as being systematic or random (see page 262-267 for more info on this)

Discuss how the errors affect the results (THIS IS KEY. Explain how the errors could

have affected your data in detail).

For each error, discuss an improvement. Make sure the improvements are appropriate and

realistic, and have a value associated with it, if possible. The improvement needs to be

really clear.

You finally need to discuss how to extend the experiment further. If you were to continue

an investigation into boiling points, what would you do? Make it detailed!

Here is a suggested format:

Source Systematic Significance Impact of error Improvement to

of error or random on experiment minimize error

Describe Categorize State the relative Explain fully how Suggest sensible

the the error as significance on the the source of error improvements to

source of systematic or experiment (this is impacted your the experiment

the error random comparative) High, low, results. justifying why they

moderate etc Try and assign a will minimize the

direction if error.

possible - e.g -

under

measurement, over

measurement etc.