Information • Textbooks • Media • Resources
edited by
Journal of Chemical Education: Software
Jon L. Holmes Nancy S. Gettys University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, WI 53706
VHS Videotape: Abstract of Special Issue 15 Quantitative Techniques in Volumetric Analysis John Zimmerman Department of Chemistry, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 Jerrold J. Jacobsen Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396 Quantitative Techniques in Volumetric Analysis is a visual library of techniques used in making volumetric measurements. This 40-minute VHS videotape is designed as a resource for introducing students to proper volumetric methods and procedures. The entire tape, or relevant segments of the tape, can also be used to review procedures used in subsequent experiments that rely on the traditional art of quantitative analysis laboratory practice. The techniques included are: • Quantitative transfer of a solid with a weighing spoon • Quantitative transfer of a solid with a finger held weighing bottle • Quantitative transfer of a solid with a paper strap held bottle • Quantitative transfer of a solid with a spatula • Examples of common quantitative weighing errors • Quantitative transfer of a solid from dish to beaker to volumetric flask • Quantitative transfer of a solid from dish to volumetric flask • Volumetric transfer pipet • A complete acid-base titration • Hand technique variations The conventional view of contemporary quantitative chemical measurement tends to focus on instrumental systems, computers, and robotics. In this view, the analyst is relegated to placing standards and samples on a tray. A robotic arm delivers a sample to the analysis cen-
Figure 2. Transfer of a solid with a spatula.
ter, while a computer controls the analysis conditions and records the results. In spite of this, it is rare to find an analysis process that does not rely on some aspect of more traditional quantitative analysis techniques, such as careful dilution to the mark of a volumetric flask. Clearly, errors in a classical step will affect the quality of the final analysis. Because of this, it is still important for students to master the key elements of the traditional art of quantitative chemical analysis laboratory practice. Some aspects of chemical analysis, like careful rinsing to insure quantitative transfer, are often an automated part of an instrumental process that must be understood by the analyst. This video material carefully documents several options in the process of quantitatively weighing and transferring a solid, quantitatively transferring a liquid aliquot with a pipet, and the process of quantitative volumetric titration. There are many local variants in each of these procedures. For example, some prefer to transfer solid with a weighing spoon, some with a finger held bottle, and some with a paper-strap held bottle. Students should follow the local preference, but should be aware of other acceptable options. Whatever the technique option chosen, the procedure must be done reproducibly, if analysis quality is to be optimized. Acknowledgments
Figure 1. Transfer of a liquid.
Quantitative Techniques in Volumetric Analysis was created with support from Project SERAPHIM and the NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources, grant MDR-9154099.
Vol. 73 No. 12 December 1996 • Journal of Chemical Education
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Information • Textbooks • Media • Resources
Using This JCE:Software Issue in the Classroom Quantitative Techniques in Volumetric Analysis is intended for use in undergraduate level analytical chemistry courses. It would be very helpful in either a course focusing on traditional chemical analysis or instrumental analysis. In either case, careful preparation of samples is vital to the outcome of the analytical procedure. It could also be used to introduce quantitative techniques in a general chemistry course. The techniques demonstrated in this video illustrate procedures described in textbooks and provide images that can be projected for classroom viewing.
How To Order This Issue Journal of Chemical Education: Software (often called JCE: Software) is a publication of the Journal of Chemical Education. There is an Order Form inserted in this issue that provides prices and other ordering information. If this card is not available or if you need additional information, contact: JCE: Software, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1396; Phone; 608/262-5153 or 1-800-9915534; FAX: 608/ 265-8094; Email:
[email protected]. For More Information Visit our WWW Site
Hardware and Software Requirements This tape requires an NTSC VHS videocassette player and a video monitor such as a television set. A large screen monitor or video projector may be desirable.
Information about all of our publications (including abstracts, descriptions, updates, etc.) is available from our World Wide Web site: http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/
Coming Attractions In 1997 JCE: Software will bring you even more new and exciting software, video and CD-ROMs. Watch for the abstracts each month in these printed pages as well as on our World Wide Web site (http:// jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/). This past year was one of our busiest ever. We moved our offices into Journal House with the transfer of the Journal from Austin, TX to Madison, WI and worked with the new Journal editorial staff to augment interactions between the Journal of Chemical Education and JCE: Software. Duties of our editorial staff were rearranged to better meet the needs
of both publications and the development of JCE: Online. In spite of all of these changes, we shipped six regular issues of software, one on CD-ROM, a JCE: Software first. We also produced a cross-platform version of the popular Solid State Resources CD that was originally published for Macintosh, and HIV-1 Protease, our first videotape. All told we published 14 programs, an hour of video on videodisc, a videotape, and two CD-ROMs. Coming in 1997 are lots of great new software, more video, more CD’s. Example graphics from a few of the programs under development are shown below.
DNA Sequencing by John Beck and David Bunbury is a new DOS program for Biochemistry and Chemical Genetics.
SIRs author John Martin has two new DOS games to help make learning about the periodic table and naming of compounds fun for beginning chemistry students.
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Frank Gorga’s Enzyme Lab for Windows is a simulated experiment for Biochemistry students.
Enriching Quantum Mechanics with Mathcad, Parts I and II by Frank Rioux originally published for Windows will be available for Macintosh.
Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 73 No. 12 December 1996
