| McMaster University - Chem2OB3 Lab Manual | 2001 |
In CHEM 20B3, the procedure for lab write-ups will be different from other labs. READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING YOU FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE.
A lab notebook in which duplicate copies are made is required. Such a book is available from the bookstore. Prepare for the lab by reading the manual carefully, and start the write-up ahead of time: you can include the title, for example, and answer pre-lab questions. You do not need to write up the procedure by copying from the manual; only identify where the procedure was altered, as you work through the lab. Record all data: yield, melting points, etc.in the book as you go.
At the end of the lab period, you must get the TA to sign the original and duplicates for marking. In this way, if you lose your lab book you will still get a mark. If the TA loses your write-up, you can have the original marked. Failure to follow this simple procedure will result in a Zero mark which will be the Student's responsibility.
Your write-up should be as brief, but concise, as possible. Ultimately, it must contain enough information to trace a mistake or to allow another person to repeat the work exactly as you have done it.
Record in your notebook everything which you do and observe as you carry out the experiment. Write in the past tense, not necessarily with complete sentences as long as there is no ambiguity. Fasten into your book any spectra, tlc patterns, or gc traces obtained during the course of the experiment.
The first page of the notebook should be reserved for an Index. Since you will only be carrying out twelve experiments in the course, one page will do. All subsequent pages are numbered. Your index entries should indicate, in a line or two, the experiment and where it is located in the book (i.e., the page number). Enter the title of each experiment, not just "Experiment 1 ...... page 1".
It is a waste of time to spend hours decorating a laboratory notebook, nor will it impress your demonstrator or instructor. A notebook should be neat but need not be a work of art. Clarity of procedure and results are what count. Always use a pen, so that errors are crossed out. Never erase an entry in your lab book!
Normally, there will be a few questions at the end of the experiment. They are there for your personal edification, as an indication of some of the things that you should have learned from the experiment. Do NOT answer these in your lab notebook, but be sure to do them - they may return to haunt you!
During the following laboratory period, the TA will discuss your work with you. The TAs will NOT release marks until then, under ANY circumstances.
| Title: | Date: _______________ |
| Purpose: | Only necessary if objective is not clear from the title. |
| Equations:* | It is often convenient to indicate amounts of materials, etc. under the equation. |
| Procedure:* | |
| Results:* | Yield, properties of product (m.p., b.p., color, etc.) Calculation of % yield. |
| Conclusions: | Only problem type laboratories generally require conclusions. Usually (but not always), results speak for themselves. |
| References: | Only include sources you have examined. |
* If the laboratory involves a sequence of reactions, it is usually best to write out the equation, procedure and results of each separately.
The following is an example taken from a chemistry graduate student's lab notebook, describing the synthesis of
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December 18, 2000