Lab Skills Videos
Lab skills video list
- The lab notebook
- Submitting lab reports
- Excel basics
- Visualizing data
- Using a balance
- Observations while using a balance
- Preparing and caring for dried samples
- Glassware overview
- Cleaning glassware
- Using volumetric flasks
- Using volumetric pipettes
- Using a buret
- Titrations
- Filtering samples
- Transferring small volumes
- Using a spectrophotometer
- Using a pH probe
- Performing an automated titration
- Transferring data from the LabQuest
- Using an HPLC
- Gas chromatography
The lab notebook
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- The lab notebook is where you should include all information related to a procedure, including any deviations from the procedure, data collected, mathematical calculations, and reflection of the experiment.
- Look at the rubric for how lab notebook pages are assessed if you are unsure if you included something.
Submitting lab reports
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Most documents are submitted online through the DropBox in Canvas as PDFs.
- There are many ways to generate PDFs of your lab pages; finding the best method for YOU is what is important.
Excel basics
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Using Excel will be a critical skill for success in analytical chemistry. Practice if needed!
Visualizing data
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Choosing a graph that best fits your goals when you display your data is important. Many programs can make graphs, although we provide guidance in Excel.
- Common graphs we will make in this class include making calibration curves (using a scatter plot).
Using a balance
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Keeping the balance clean and caring for it appropriately will impact the accuracy of your measurements.
- Different balances have different errors; make sure you are using the correct balance.
- (1) Weighing by addition and (2) weighing by subtraction have different applications; pay attention to which is best for your experiment!
Observations while using a balance
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Careful preparation before you take a measurement will change the accuracy of your weight.
- Take care to make sure your balance has a stable measurement prior to writing down the weight of the material.
Preparing and caring for dried samples
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- Some samples need to be dried (i.e., removal of water) before used, as water can influence the accuracy of the weight of the analyte your measure out.
- Pick the correct oven temperature to dry your sample.
- Prepare your desiccator to be able to store your dry samples throughout the semester.
Glassware overview
Additional information
- Reference your specific glassware for their tolerances.
Key Takeaways
- There are 2 major types of glassware: volumetric and non-volumetric.
Cleaning glassware
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- Glassware cleanliness can impact the accuracy of your analysis.
- Non-volumetric glassware can be washed with soap, but volumetric glassware should be washed with a special microcleaner.
Using volumetric flasks
Additional information
- Reference your specific glassware for their tolerances.
Key Takeaways
- Each flask as a specific tolerance and class that would be useful to note and write in your lab notebook.
- Volumetric flasks are TO CONTAIN pieces of glassware, meaning the are calibrated TO CONTAIN a specific volume.
- Form a slurry prior to adding solid into your volumetric flask.
- Make sure you are mixing often!
- Pour your solution into a different container before using the solution for other purposes.
Using volumetric pipettes
Additional information
- Reference your specific glassware for their tolerances.
Key Takeaways
- Each pipette as a specific tolerance and class that would be useful to note and write in your lab notebook.
- Volumetric pipets are TO DELIVER pieces of glassware, meaning the are calibrated TO DELIVER a specific volume.
Using a buret
Additional information
- Reference your specific glassware for their tolerances.
Key Takeaways
- Burets have a specific tolerance and class that would be useful to note and write in your lab notebook.
- Burets are a TO DELIVER piece of glassware, meaning the are calibrated TO DELIVER a specific volume.
- Carefully prepare the buret, including rinsing it well and removing any bubbles, before making any measurements.
- Make sure you are making all measurements at eye level.
Titrations
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- Titrations are a classic analytical technique to determine the concentration of an unknown sample.
Filtering samples
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- There are 2 different ways to filter samples: gravity filtration and vacuum filtration.
Transferring Small Volumes
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- We have many tools to transfer small volumes, including multiple types of pipettes. Make sure you choose a tool that has your required accuracy, precision, and flexibility (as needed).
Using a spectrophotometer
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Spectrophotometers (connected to a LabQuest) can allow us to measure how much light a molecule absorbs (or emits)!
- Proper preparation of the cuvet and acquisition settings are important!
Using a pH probe
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Make sure you are using a 2-point calibration (pH=7 and 10 or 7 and 4), and it is recommended to calibrate everyday (or even multiple times a day)!
- Before using the pH probe, make sure it was properly stored and is intact before using it.
Performing an automated titration
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- Assemble the apparatus with care and consideration for the orientation.
- Make sure you calibrate all the necessary pieces, including the probe you use (redox or pH) and the drop counter.
Transferring data from the LabQuest
Additional information
- N/A
Key Takeaways
- Make sure you have an appropriately sized flashdrive to transfer your data off the LabQuest.
- Different analyses will have different formats when exported from the LabQuest; with proper notes in your lab notebook, you should be able to arrange the data!
Using an HPLC
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Each HPLC will have a mobile phase, a pump, a way to add sample to the system, a column, and a detector, all of which should be customized to the analytes you are analyzing.
- The instrument already has a loop that measures an exact volume of sample that is to be injected; just make sure you put in excess! Make sure you load in the “Load” position.
- See the software instructions on how to analyze your data.
Gas chromatography
Additional information
Key Takeaways
- Gas chromatography is a separation technique that analyzes samples that can be gaseous.
- Data from a GC can be both qualitative (retention time) and quantitative (peak area or peak height).
- Knowing how to use the instrument will be key to your success in the lab!
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Please use this form to report any inconsistencies, errors, or other things you would like to change about this page. We appreciate your comments. 🙂 (Note that we cannot answer questions via the google form. If you have a question, please ask your instructor or TA.)