Name: James R. Barrante                                                                         Office Hours:

Office: 318 Jennings Hall                                                                         Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 ó 9:00 am

Phone: 203-392-6260                                                                                 Monday, Wednesday: 10:00 ó 11:00 am

E-mail: barrantej1@southernct.edu Or by appointment at other times
 
 

COURSE NUMBER CHE 372 CREDIT HOURS 1 PREREQUISITES:

CHE 370, taken concurrently

CHE 240

COURSE TITLE: Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
 
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Various experiments in physical chemistry, illustrating the various laws and theories learned in CHE 370, Physical Chemistry I.
 
 

COURSEíS CONTRIBUTION:

CHE 372 is the first semester of a two semester physical chemistry laboratory course. This course is a required course for students pursuing the science education degree in chemistry. The course concentrates primarily on experiments relating to the subject matter found in the first semester CHE 370 course. Students work in groups of two or three.

The laboratory experiments are designed in such a way as to teach the student the proper way to operate delicate instrumentation and safe and proper way to handle and dispose of chemicals. All chemical waste disposal in the laboratory is in accordance with regulations established by the EPA. Experiments involve the gathering and treatment of experimental data and relating the outcomes of the experiment to the theories discussed in lecture. Special effort is made to insure that students understand how to determine the reliability of their results. Consequently, every laboratory report is required to have an extensive discussion of experimental errors. Each laboratory report is given two grades. The first grade is associated with the report itself and the second grade is related to the numerical answer determined by the student.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LEARNER OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT

1. Learn to determine the density of substance by using a pycnometer. Identify systematic errors that affect the determination of the mass of an object using an analytical balance (such as the effect of air buoyancy) and how to correct for them. Learn the proper way to set up a constant temperature bath. Learn how to find the error in the density of the object, when only mass measurements are made. (INTASC 1, 4, 5, 6; NSTA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10; CCCT 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.3, 2.6)

2. Learn how to apply the ideal gas law and the first law of thermodynamics to a gas to determine the heat capacity ratio of the gas. Relate the heat capacity found experimentally to that calculated using equipartition theory. Learn to use a mercury barometer, correcting all pressures for temperature, and how to use a light-liquid manometer. Learn how to handle gas cylinders and cylinder regulators. (INTASC 1, 4, 5, 6; NSTA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10; CCCT 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.3, 2.6)

3. Learn how to safely operate a bomb calorimeter to determine heats of combustion. Learn to operate high pressure equipment in a safe manner. Learn the systematic errors associated with such an experiment (INTASC 1, 4, 5, 6; NSTA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10; CCCT 1.1, 1.3, 2.3, 2.6)

4. Learn how to determine very precisely the exact boiling point of a liquid. Learn how to thermostat and use a refractometer. Learn how to prepare phase diagrams from boiling point data. Learn the systematic errors associated with this procedure. (INTASC 1, 4, 5, 6; NSTA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10; CCCT 1.1, 2.3, 2.6)

5. Learn to extract information from the graphical presentation of data using a spreadsheet such as EXCEL^®. Learn the systematic errors associated with this procedure. (INTASC 1, 4, 6; NSTA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10; CCCT 1.1, 1.3, 2.3)
 
 
 
 
 
 

MODES OF LEARNING:

Hands on experience with various types of laboratory apparatus.
 
 

COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE:

Lab lecture on experimental errors 1 week

Experiment 1 Density of a Solid 1 week

Experiment 2 Heat Capacity Ratio of Gases by Adiabatic Expansion 2 weeks

Experiment 3 Heat of Combustion. Bomb Calorimetry 2 weeks

Experiment 4 Partial Molar Volumes of NaCl Solutions 2 weeks

Experiment 5 Liquid-Vapor Phase Diagram. Activity Coefficients 2 weeks

Experiment 6 Chemical Equilibrium. Esterification Reaction 2 weeks

REQUIRED TEXT: No text is required. Experiments are given as handouts to the students.
 
 
 
 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students will be expected to read the assigned laboratory experiments prior to coming to class. All students must have a bound laboratory notebook and safety goggles in order to enter the lab. Students are to keep a running account of what they are doing at each step of the procedure. It is preferable to write this account in the passive voice. Be sure to include any unusual observations. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you would be able to repeat the experiment say 10 years from now using only the description of the procedure found in your laboratory notebook. If you cannot, then you are not taking proper notes. Record all data and observations directly in the laboratory notebook while you are doing the experiment. Do not jot down data on pieces of scrap paper and then transfer this to your notebook after the lab is over. Keep in mind, that half of the lab grade is associated with the results of the experiment, so take careful measurements. If you are not sure how to use a piece of equipment, ask your laboratory instructor. Laboratory reports are due the week following the week that you finish the experiment. Students who miss a laboratory without the permission of the instructor will be given a grade of zero for that experiment.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Laboratory report: 50%

Results of experiment 50%

Late laboratory reports will be penalized in the following way: the highest grade that one may obtain on a late laboratory report is a B-. The "results" grade will not be affected. A report that is more than 2 weeks past due will be assigned a grade of zero.

If for any reason the laboratory report is not correct (e.g., obvious calculation error, incorrect error analysis, etc), the laboratory report will not be graded, but will be returned to the student for resubmission and subsequently be counted as a late lab report.

The following grading scale is used:

A+ = 97 ó 100%

A = 94 ó 96%

A- = 90 ó 93%

B+ = 87 ó 89%

B = 84 ó 86%

B- = 80 ó 83%

C+ = 77 ó 79%

C = 74 ó 76%

C- = 70 ó 73%

D+ = 67 ó 69%

D = 64 ó 66%

D- = 60 ó 63%

F = < 60%

STANDARDS GUIDELINES

Scholarship

1. Knowledge of subject matter

2. Knowledge of human

development & learning

3. Instruction adapted to meet

diverse lerners

4. Use of multiple instructional

strategies & resources
 
 

Attitudes

and Disposition

5. Effective learning environ-

ment created

6. Effective communication

7. Lesson planning
 
 

Integrity

8. Reflection and professional

development
 
 

Leadership

9. Assessment of student

learning to improve teaching
 
 

Service

10. Partnership with school

community
 
 

1. Content ó Structure and interpret the concepts, ideas, and relationships in science

2. Nature of Science ó Define the values, beliefs, and assumptions inherent to the creation of scientific knowledge within the scientific community

3. Inquiry ó Formulating solvable problems, constructing knowledge from data, exchanging information for seeking solutions, developing relationships from empirical data

4. Content of Science ó Relate science to daily life: techno-

logical, personal, social, and cultural values

5. Skills of Teaching ó Science teaching actions, strategies and methodologies, interaction with students, effective organization and use of technology

6. Curriculum ó Extended framework of goals, plans, materials, and resources for instruction

7. Social Content ó Social and community support network, relationship of science to needs and values of the community, involvement of people in the teaching of science

8. Assessment ó Alignment of goals, instruction and outcomes, evaluation, of student learning

9. Environment for Learning óPhysical spaces for learning,psychological and social environment, safety in science instruction

10. Professional Practice ó Knowledge and participation in the professional community, ethical behavior, high quality of science instruction, working with new colleagues as they enter the profession
 
 

DEMONSTRATION OF

KNOWLEDGE

1.1 understanding of student learning & development

1.2 understanding of need for different learning approaches

1.3 proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics

1.4 understanding of central concepts & skills, tools of inquiry, and structures of discipline(s)

1.5 knowledge of how to design and deliver instruction

1.6 recognition of need to vary instructional methods

APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE THROUGH

2.1 instructional planning based upon knowledge of subject, students, curriculum, & community

2.2 selection and/or creation of learning tasks that make subject meaningful for students

2.3 establishment and maintenance of appropriate behavior standards and creation of positive learning environment

2.4 creation of instructional opportunities supporting studentsí academic, social, and personal development

2.5 use of verbal, nonverbal, and media communication fostering individual and collaborative inquiry

2.6 employment of various instructional strategies in support of critical thinking, problem solving and skills demonstration

2.7 use of various assessment techniques to evaluate student learning & modify instruction

DEMONSTRATION OF
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH:

3.1 professional conduct in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibilities for Teachers

3.2 shared responsibility for student achievement and well-being

3.3 continuous self-evaluation regarding choices & actions on students and school community

3.4 commitment to professional growth

3.5 leadership in the school community

3.6 demonstration of a commitment to students and a passion for improving the profession
 

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR

See "Course Content Outline" above.
 
 

DISABILITY ACCOMODATION STATEMENT

As a student with a disability, before you receive course accommodations, you will need to make an appointment with the Disability Resource Office located in EN 15 to arrange for approved accommodations. However, if you have other information you would like to speak with me about, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office is located in Jennings Hall (JE 318) and my office hours are listed on the first page. Every effort will be made to accommodate students in this course.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Safety Concerns

Wearing contact lenses in a chemistry lab could be dangerous. Students wearing contact lenses are urged to remove them and to wear ordinary glasses while in the laboratory. Lab coats are highly recommended. Students who are pregnant or who may be pregnant should not take this course without the written consent of their physician.

Inclement Weather:

Official information regarding class cancellations or delays can be obtained from the university WeatherChek voice mail system at 203-392-SNOW. If a laboratory is cancelled on a day that a lab report is due, that laboratory report will be due the next time that the lab meets.

Cell Phones:

All cell phones and pagers must be turned off during the lab. Students who ignore this policy will be asked to leave the laboratory. If you are on call for work related emergencies or personal reasons, please switch to a mode that will not disturb the class.

Academic Dishonesty:

Cheating will not be tolerated in this course. Plagiarism is a serious crime. Each student is required to write his or her laboratory report in his or her own words. You may work together with your partners to do the calculations, but do not write a lab report by committee and then put separate cover pages on a copy of the report and claim it is yours. All students are expected to behave according to the code of conduct outlined in the student handbook. Strict disciplinary action will be taken if these rules are not followed!