The following are the principal features of this book:
1. The Table of Contents is organized so that the first 20
experiments illustrate the principles of general chemistry,
the next 11 those of organic chemistry, and the remaining
17 those of biochemistry.
2. Each experiment begins with a background section that
contains all the information necessary to understand the
experiment. All the relevant principles and their applications
are reviewed in this section.
3. The Procedure section of the experiment provides a step-
by-step description of the experiment. Clarity of writing in
this section is of the utmost importance for successful
execution of the experiments. Caution! Signs alert students
when dealing with dangerous chemicals, such as strong
acids or bases.
4. Pre-Lab Questions are provided to familiarize students with
the concepts and procedures before they begin the
experiments. By requiring students to answer these
questions and then grading their answers, we accomplish
the task of preparing the students before coming to the
laboratory.
5. In the Report Sheet we not only ask for the recording of
raw data, but we also require some calculations to yield
secondary data.
6. The Post-Lab Questions are designed to encourage
students to reflect upon the results, interpret them, and
relate their significance.
7. At the end of the book in Appendix 3, we provide
stockroom personnel with detailed instructions on
preparation of solutions and other chemicals for each
experiment. We also give detailed amounts of materials
needed for a class of 25 students.
Experiment 1 Laboratory Techniques: Using the Laboratory
Gas Burner; Making Laboratory Measurements
Experiment 2 Density Determination
Experiment 3 Separation of the Components of a Mixture
Experiment 4 Resolution of a Mixture by Distillation
Experiment 5 The Empirical Formula of Compound: The Law of
Constant Composition
Experiment 6 Determination of the Formula of a Metal Oxide
Experiment 7 Classes of Chemical Reactions
Experiment 8 Chemical Properties of Consumer Products
Experiment 9 Calorimetry: The Determination of the Specific
Heat of a Metal
Experiment 10 Boyle’s Law: The Pressure—Volume
Relationship of a Gas
Etc.