CHEM 1014 Laboratory
I'm going to try to do some things that may help laboratory a
little so bare with me and give me some feedback. Check out what
I've got going for Experiment 8: Plastics and Polymers.
In regards to expressions of concerns regarding to running
out of chemicals and dirty common equipment in the experiments.
As a matter of routine the storeroom tries to put out an amount
of each chemical which exceeds the amount indicated in the
experimental write-up. So under normal conditions there should be
enough chemicals for everyone to complete the experiment. To
prevent the problem of running out of chemicals, each student (or
group) should try to take only what is indicated, or if necessary
an amount only slightly more than indicated. If you are the
student who uses up the last of a particular reagent. Speak to
John or Randy and volunteer to go to the storeroom to get a
re-fill. The storeroom has more of each reagent and can quickly
refill the container.
In regards to dirty common equipment, like plastic pipets or
whatever, the department does not have sufficient funds to pay
workers to clean common equipment following every laboratory. The
equipment should be clean when students use it Monday morning, so
when those student finish using the equipment, cleaning it will
make the next group more comfortable about their results. I think
it is just a matter of common sense. The only specific comment I
was told was in regard to some plastic pipets. My suggestion is
to rinse them out after using them and return them to the station
for use by the next group. If anyone has any other examples let
me know and I'll talk to the storeroom supervisor.
Concerns about having to rush through stations in the
laboratory and not being able to absorb everything that is being
done are legitimate issues. As this is the first time I've taught
the class I need to learn about the experiments to see where
changes can be made, or where portions of experiments should be
dropped. I will be talking to John and Randy to gather more
information about the laboratories.
Meanwhile checkout this information before you go to
laboratory.
Previews:(With the assistance of Mr. Xiaoming Zhang and Kelly
Henning I thought it might be useful to provide some additional
information about the experiments we are doing each week. )
Experiment 8: Plastics and Polymers Week of September 27,
1999
PART ONE: Polyurethane: A Foam
Polymer
PART THREE: Silicone Rubber-An
Inorganic Elastomer Polymer
PART FIVE: Slime-A Crosslinking
Polymer
PART SIX: Polystyrene - A
Thermoplastic Polymer
PART SEVEN: Glyptal Resin-A Thermosetting Polymer
We are not doing Part Seven of this
laboratory. Preparing glyptal resin is a little funky
AND I'd rather not have any flames in this
laboratory, since several of the liquids we are using
are very flammable.
We did not prepare anymore pictures of the other parts of
the experiment. The other parts are fairly straight-forward.
The only caution I would provide is in PART FOUR: Nylon-A
Polyamide Condensation Fiber Polymer. Do not breath the
vapors of these liquids. Work with these solutions in a hood.
Keep your gloves on for this experiment. Remember the gloves
offer only temporary protection. So if you do spill any of
the solutions, wash the liquid from your gloves immediately.
Experiment 9: Fats and Cholesterol Week of October 11,
1999
PART ONE: Percentage of Fat in
Popular Snack Foods
PART THREE: Saturated Versus
Unsaturated Fatty Acids
PART FOUR: Cholesterol in
Foods