chemistry essay format

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8.2: How to Write a Thesis Statement

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Whether you are writing a short essay or a doctoral dissertation, your thesis statement will arguably be the most difficult sentence to formulate. An effective thesis statement states the purpose of the paper and, therefore, functions to control, assert and structure your entire  argument . Without a sound thesis, your argument may sound weak, lacking in direction, and  uninteresting to the reader.

Start with a question — then make the answer your thesis

Regardless of how complicated the subject is, almost any thesis can be constructed by answering a question.

• Thesis: “Computers allow fourth graders an early advantage in technological and scientific education.”
• Thesis: “The river comes to symbolize both division and progress, as it separates our characters and country while still providing the best chance for Huck and Jim to get to know one another.”
• Thesis: “Through careful sociological study, we’ve found that people naturally assume that “morally righteous” people look down on them as “inferior,” causing anger and conflict where there generally is none.”

Tailor your thesis to the type of paper you’re writing

N ot all essays persuade, and not all essays teach. The goals of your paper will help you find the best thesis.

• Ex. “This dynamic between different generations sparks much of the play’s tension, as age becomes a motive for the violence and unrest that rocks King Lear.”
• Ex. “The explosion of 1800’s philosophies like Positivism, Marxism, and Darwinism undermined and refuted Christianity to instead focus on the real, tangible world.”
• Ex. “Without the steady hand and specific decisions of Barack Obama, America would never have recovered from the hole it entered in the early 2000’s.”

Ensure your thesis is provable

Good Theses Examples:

• “By owning up to the impossible contradictions, embracing them and questioning them, Blake forges his own faith, and is stronger for it. Ultimately, the only way for his poems to have faith is to temporarily lose it.”
• “According to its well-documented beliefs and philosophies, an existential society with no notion of either past or future cannot help but become stagnant.”
• “By reading “Ode to a Nightingale” through a modern deconstructionist lens, we can see how Keats viewed poetry as shifting and subjective, not some rigid form.”

Bad Theses Examples:

• “The wrong people won the American Revolution.” While striking and unique, who is “right” and who is “wrong” is exceptionally hard to prove, and very subjective.
• “The theory of genetic inheritance is the binding theory of every human interaction.” Too complicated and overzealous. The scope of “every human interaction” is just too big
• “Paul Harding’s novel Tinkers is ultimately a cry for help from a clearly depressed author.” Unless you interviewed Harding extensively, or had a lot of real-life sources, you have no way of proving what is fact and what is fiction.”

Get the sound right

Example thesis statements with good statement language include:

• “Because of William the Conqueror’s campaign into England, that nation developed the strength and culture it would need to eventually build the British Empire.”
• “Hemingway significantly changed literature by normalizing simplistic writing and frank tone.”

Know where to place a thesis statement

Because of the role thesis statements play, they appear at the beginning of the paper, usually at the end of the first paragraph or somewhere in the introduction. Although most people look for the thesis at the end of the first paragraph, its location can depend on a number of factors such as how lengthy of an introduction you need before you can introduce your thesis or the length of your paper.

Limit a thesis statement to one or two sentences in length

Thesis statements are clear and to the point, which helps the reader identify the topic and direction of the paper, as well as your position towards the subject.

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Chemistry Essay for everyone – topics, samples and guade how to write

16 February, 2022

34 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

If you’re a science department student, you will likely have no questions about what a Chemistry essay is. You’re probably well-versed with a variety of academic papers on this subject. But even if you’re new to this field, here we familiarize students with the basics of Chemistry writing and explain the fundamentals of planning and […]

If you’re a science department student, you will likely have no questions about what a Chemistry essay is. You’re probably well-versed with a variety of academic papers on this subject. But even if you’re new to this field, here we familiarize students with the basics of Chemistry writing and explain the fundamentals of planning and completing an essay. Stay tuned, and you will learn all ins and outs of professional, competent essay composition.

First, let’s clarify what this assignment means. When you receive a task to write on some Chemistry-related topic, it’s most often a task meant to check your comprehension of a scientific principle, topic, or area. So, you’re expected to conduct thorough research, check what other people say on that issue, what positions they argue, and which of those positions or assumptions is closer to you. Once you pick a standpoint, you can write your own academic piece arguing that point and supporting your views with reliable evidence.

If you’ve received such a task and don’t know how to approach it, you may turn to our experts’ help with this subject. You’re guaranteed an individual approach to any assignment entrusted to our experts and top-notch content produced on any Chemistry theme.

Chemistry Essay Format

Completing Chemistry homework is a bit different from writing a Human Resources management essay or a Human Resources school essay. Here, you cannot experiment that much with arguments and theories; you need to stick to the objective facts, formulas, and evidence from your textbook. The Chemistry format typically includes the following parts.

Introduction

This element of your Chemistry paper should introduce the topic to the readers and communicate what you’re planning to examine. Once you provide those details to your audience, you can rest assured that even laypersons will capture the significance of your subject. Besides, you clarify your stand on the issue, thus helping your readers evaluate the strength and persuasiveness of your arguments. 

The body of your paper typically takes 80-90% of the entire paper’s volume, so you need to include several meaningful paragraphs into it. Dedicate one paragraph to every idea you’re using to argue your stand, and your readers will follow the line of argumentation much easier this way.

This is the last part of your essay, but don’t underestimate its significance for your assignment’s value and correctness. Here, you need to show what you’ve achieved and learned in the process of academic inquiry, thus showing your progress and restating the study’s significance.

Write Chemistry Essay in 5 Steps

Now let’s proceed to the mechanics of writing a paper on Chemistry. It’s pretty simple to compose a great work if you have a tried and tested algorithm at hand and can complete a good-looking, professional paper.

• Find examples of similar assignments to use their structure and approach. Obviously, you can take a look at some Human Resources school essay examples available online, but keep in mind that a Chemistry report is not a typical Human Resources plan essay. It should be focused on a specific topic, such as, for instance, organic chemistry, acid reactions, etc., and follow a predetermined format.
• Pick a topic that you know well. It’s easier to compose a paper on Chemistry if you know what you’re talking about and are genuinely interested in learning the subject in more depth.
• Follow the prompt that your Chemistry professor gave to you. It’s even better if you have a Chemistry example and can reproduce it step by step (though without copy-pasting).
• Draft the paper and include all evidence you’ve found in the research process. Distribute the evidence and arguments evenly by dedicating one paragraph to every single idea. In this way, the paper will be coherent and readable.
• Reread your draft to identify typos or flow inconsistencies. By correcting these minor issues, you polish the paper to perfection and prepare it for the final submission.

As you can see, completing such an assignment is not hard at all. Follow these tips and steps to finalize the essay quickly, and you will save lots of time for other priorities and tasks.

Chemistry Topics

Are you unsure about the Chemistry topics to examine? Here is a list of evergreen suggestions that are sure to incite the interest of your readers and win you a high grade.

• The chemical fundamentals of healthy, correct nutrition.
• The exciting chemistry of fireworks.
• The innovative scientific field of computational chemistry.
• Synthesis and transformation of organic substances.
• Chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides.
• The fundamentals of heterocyclic chemistry.
• Stellar evolution and the spectral classes of stars.
• How can one predict new chemical elements and compounds?
• Atomic and physical properties of hydrogen. 
• Are atomic weights precisely known or still uncertain?
• Protonic acids and bases.
• Introduction to the hydrogen bond. 
• Discovery and isolation of chemical elements.
• The ionic-bond model.
• Availability and distribution of chemical elements on the Earth.
• Availability of rare chemical elements in space.
• The introduction to hydroxides.
• The chemical properties of alkali metals.
• Introduction to the property of chemical reactivity.
• Oxoacid salts: properties and practical use.
• Isolation and purification of boron.
• Bonding and topology of aluminum compounds.
• Allotropic forms of carbon.
• Practical application of graphite intercalation compounds.
• Atomic and physical properties of silicon.
• Production and uses of germanium.
• Nitrous acid and nitrites.
• The industrial use of phosphorus-nitrogen compounds.
• Chemical reactivity and group trends of arsenic.
• Physiological activity of arsenicals.
• Chemical properties of O2.
• Aqua complexes and solid hydrates: water types.
• Different methods for classifying oxides.

All of these are argumentative Chemistry topics, which means that you will have enough space and freedom to pick a position and argue it with the help of reliable evidence. Choose any of the recommended themes, and you are guaranteed an excellent grade.

How to Start a Chemistry Essay

Starting a Chemistry paper may turn into a challenge for those new to such types of assignments. But don’t fall into despair. Here are some pro tips to simplify the process:

• Study the prompt carefully to see what the professor wants to see in the assignment’s text.

Many students make the mistake of hasting to write something as soon as possible. As a result, they end up with off-topic assignments that they cannot submit to the professor. Don’t commit that error; always study the instructions and proceed to research and writing only after you’re 100% sure about the expected essay outcome.

• Focus on the topic that you already know.

Don’t start something anew if you’re short of time and want to complete an essay quickly. It’s always easier to expand your knowledge on the topic you already know well, thus writing a good-looking essay hassle-free.

• Use only argumentative topics if you’re given the freedom of choice.

It’s much simpler to compose something interesting and thought-provoking on an argumentative subject than just review what people know about a specific chemical substance or reaction. Today, chemistry is a trendy science, so you may find numerous exciting ideas and suggestions for its practical value for humanity.

We have a large writer team specializing in all kinds of essay writing, Human Resources to Chemistry to Programming to Literature. Thus, you will always have a realm of talented authors at your service, available 24/7 to deliver top-notch papers on demand.

You can always find a capable Chemistry writer in our company, thus entrusting your assignment to professionals and not worrying about the outcomes.

Determination of Potassium and the reactions of Li, Na and K

Introduction and theory.

Chemists are frequently charged with the responsibility of performing assays on different compounds. An assay is defined by two parameters: quality and quantity of a certain substance. In this case, we are provided with KB(Ph)4 to analyze. In the first part, we are to determine the quantity of potassium (K) in his compound and in the second part we are to test various group 1 salts to see their specific reactions. During gravimetric determination of potassium, sodium tetraphenylboron acts as a precipitator for the potassium ions. A definite volume of sodium ions is added to the sample solution and used in determining the concentration. Alkali metals react with many chemical substances and hence have many physical and chemical properties. Their properties differ with the individual elements. For example, lithium burns with a red flame, sodium with a yellow-orange one while potassium burns with a purple one. Their reactivity increases from lithium to potassium and this greatly defines the difference in their reaction patterns.

25cm3 of the K solution was pipetted in a 250cm3 beaker and a few drops of dilute NaOH and bromothymol blue indicator added to it. Any precipate formed at that point was then filtered off. 5% ethanoic acid was added until the colour of the solution changed to yellow. The solution was then diluted to 100 cm3 with H2O and heated to 65ºC. 15 cm3 of 2% sodium tetraphenylboron solution was then added to the heated solution while stirring. The solution was then cooled to room temperature; it took 10 minutes to do so. The solution was then filtered through a pre-weighed No. 4 sintered glass crucible into a clean Buchner flask. The filtrate was then tested for complete precipitation with a few drops of the reagent. On further precipitation, the filtrate was transferred into a beaker, a further 10cm3 added and the solution re-filtered. The precipitate was washed with 5% ethanoic acid and dried between 110 ºC to 120 ºC for 30 minutes. The precipitate was then cooled and weighed as KB(Ph)4 and used to get the concentration f the original solution.

Dilute solutions of Li+, Na+ and K+ were treated as follows: 1. By flame test 2. Addition of excess ammonical ammonium fluoride 3. Addition of dilute ethanoic acid followed by sodium cobaltinitrate (aq) 4. Addition, dropwise and carefully of potassium perchlorate The above processes were carried out in a test tube and observations recorded. Method 2 A mixture of LiCl and KCl (about 0.3g) was shaken with 6 cm3 of absolute ethanol in a closed tube. The residual solid was separated by filtration and the residue washed with 3 1cm3 portions of ethanol. The filtrate and the washings were then combined and evaporated to dryness. The resultant solid was then dissolved in 2cm3 of H2O. Icm3 portions were tested for lithium a) With ammonium fluoride 1cm3 4 mol dm-3 and conc. Ammonia (dropwise). b) Potassium with a solution of sodium cobaltinitrate 1cm3, 0.2 mol dm-3) The original residual solid was separated by filtration and dissolved in 2cm3 H2O and portions tested for lithium and potassium in the same manner.

Weight for empty sample = 39.419g Weight of dry sample =39.930g Difference in weight (Amount of potassium) = 0.511g

test Li Na K 1 Red flame Orange flame Purple flame 2 No observable change No observable change No observable change 3 No observable change No observable change No observable change 4 No observable change No observable change No observable change

In the first part of formation of KB(Ph)4 the reaction is as described by this equation: K+ + NaB(Ph)4 = KB(Ph)4 + Na+ The colour change to yellow is due to excess acid after the achieved end point. For the flame test, all alkali metals burn in presence of oxygen to form oxides and sometimes form peroxides in excess oxygen. They burn with different characteristic colours. 4Li + O2 = 2Li2O Red flame 4Na + O2 = 2Na2O Yellow-orange flame 4K + O2 = 2K2O Purple flame For the ammonical ammonium fluoride, alkali metals displace ammonium ions from their anions to form soluble salts. The reactions are as follows: Li+ + NH4F = LiF + NH4+ K+ + NH4F = KF + NH4+ Na+ + NH4F = NaF + NH4+ Ethanoic acid then sodium cobaltinitrate, displacement reactions occur between the alkali metal ions to form soluble products. The reactions are as follows: CH3COOH + Li = CH3COOLi CH3COOLi+ Na3Co(NO2)6 = CH3COONa + Li3Co(NO2)6 CH3COOH + Na = CH3COONa CH3COONa + Na3Co(NO2)6 = no reaction CH3COOH + K = CH3COOK CH3COOK+ Na3Co(NO2)6 = CH3COONa + K3Co(NO2)6 With potassium perchlorate, displacement reactions occur between the alkali metal ions to form soluble products. The reactions are as follows: CH3COOLi + KClO4 =CH3COOK + Li CLO4 CH3COONa+ KClO4 =CH3COOK + NaCLO4

Lithium, sodium and potassium burn with red, orange and purple flames respectively. Most of the group 1 elements form soluble salts.

Belcher, R. & Wilson, C. L. New methods in analytical chemistry. Chapman and Hall, 1955. Chemical Society, Chemical Society (Great Britain). Inorganic chemistry of the main-group elements. Chemical Society, 1971.

NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY (NMR)

(Author’s name) (Institutional Affiliation)

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is becoming a powerful techniques used to determine the molecular structure of organic and inorganic compounds. Its acceptability is mainly due to the several advantages is has such as reproducibility, accuracy and the ability to have mathematical equations (Maniara et al. 1998). A study done to determine the purity of glyphosate using an Uncertainty Budget, by Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (QNMR) confirms these qualities of NMR. The finding from the study was that, a big part in the uncertainties of the methods used, that is 1H and 31P, was the standard deviation of the replicate. The study concluded that an alternative organic phosphate, with similar nOe, may therefore be preferred as a calibrator (Tareq et al. 2004).

NMR, technique, molecular structure, glyphosphate

The discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), as a qualitative technique, has made possible the identification and elucidation of chemical structures in organic and inorganic compounds. According to Maniara et al (1998), quantitative NMR (QNMR) has gained acceptance since it is accurate, precise, no calibrator is needed for the analyte. It can also be described by mathematical equations which can be used at the highest metrological level (Janke, 1998). Advantages of NMR Janke (1998) concluded that NMR is a cost effective analytical method since it not only shows all present soluble substances but also identifies impurities with similar structures. It is a non destructive technique with minimal sample preparations for analytes that contain 19F, 13C, 1H and 31P (Lee et al., 2001). Marina (1998) was able to show that QNMR was reproducible using 1H and 31P. Henderson (1996), using several agricultural weedicide, was able to show that by using coaxial inserts, it would be possible to eliminate sources of error in conventional quantification NMR spectroscopy.

Research on NMR

A study done to determine the purity of glyphosate using an Uncertainty Budget, by Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (QNMR) using 1H and 31P, is an example of the reproducibility of a type A uncertainty combined by other type B effects. Reagents used included Analytes such as glyphosate, certified reference material e.g dimethylsulfone, deuterated NMR Solvents like deuterium oxide D. The results supported all the qualities that are mentioned above about QNMR (Tareq et al. 2004). Another finding from the study was that, a big part in the uncertainties of the methods used, that is 1H and 31P, was the standard deviation of the replicate. A bottom up analysis was attempted to estimate the effects that contributed to this term was able to identify half of the standard deviation measured. Effects from the operator while weighing had the greatest effects. About 0.23% of the remaining uncertainty was assigned to heterogeneity of the contaminations in the sub samples. Since impurities in the solid samples do not distribute homogeneously, no effort was made to grind and mix the samples prior to the analysis (Tareq et al. 2004). The contributions of the uncertainty budget in the standard deviations of the results were standard deviations of the means. The calculated purity from the replicated data was related to the combined standard uncertainty from each determination. The calculation for the uncertainty was 0.82% for 31P NMR and 0.66% for 1H NMR. Despite trisodium phosphate being excellent in purity, water soluble, and chemically stable, its use as a calibrator for 31P NMR can lead to a bias with concomitant uncertainty. This is due to the absence of protons in its electron configuration and so cannot exhibit nOe. The study concluded that an alternative organic phosphate may therefore be preferred as a calibrator (Tareq et al. 2004).

Bibliography

Janke, H. 1998. CCQM/98 98: 1 – 12. Maniara, G., Rajamoorthi, K., Rajan, S. and Stockton, G. W. (1998). Quantitative NMR Spectroscopy Anal. Chem. 70, 4921- 4928. Tareq Saed Al-Deen, D. Brynn, Hibbert, James. M. Hook and Robert J. W. (2004). An uncertainty budget for the determination of the purity of glyphosate by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (QNMR) spectroscopy. Accreditation and Quality Assurance, 9, 55-63.

#3 Uncertainty Estimates

Name Institution Lecturer Course Date

Summary of the Article

The article, “Is My Uncertainty Estimate Realistic”, by Analytical Method Committee (2003), is about the realism of uncertainty estimates. The author poses and explicates the issue that uncertainty estimates often quoted by analysts in their results are somewhat low. According to the author, it is practically impossible to incorporate all the factors contributing to uncertainty estimate when determining the standard deviation from repeated results that have been obtained from repeatability conditions. There are various factors that contribute to uncertainty estimate including the difference in the way analysts interpret method protocol in different laboratories, difference in runs for the same method and numerous, systematic errors, such as calibration differences and difference in permitted variations. However, it is quite difficult to avoid such factors that contribute towards method, laboratory and run bias. Therefore, it is paramount to check that the uncertainty estimates used or quoted are realistic to apply the effective corrective measure to unrealistic uncertainty estimates that have been found. The author gives different ways of checking for uncertainty estimates. These include, checking standard uncertainty estimate against collaborative trial statistics, comparing the indicated uncertainty with reproducibility standard deviation that has been estimated from available repeatability precision statistics and examining the proficiency test results. Once uncertainty estimates have been found, the author gives different ways through which such estimates can be corrected. An analyst can eliminate identified causative factors or apply an appropriate correction to the identified causative factor. Other strategies include basing uncertainty estimate on interlaboratory study, increase expansion factor or add an arbitrary term to the uncertainty budget. 1. What is the paper about? The paper is about the realism of uncertainty estimate. It describes uncertainty estimates in laboratory tests, how to check if uncertainty estimates are realistic and how to correct uncertainty estimates that are unrealistic. 2. What are the issues raised? The author indicates that, in many instances, the uncertainty estimates cited by analysts are somewhat low and, therefore, unrealistic. The author clarifies this problem by indicating that if interlaboratory studies results are observed, such as proficiency tests and collaborative trials, one will find that the uncertainty estimates used are unrealistic. The problem of unrealistic uncertainty is so because it is often impractical to avoid and confirm the absence of all errors arising from method, laboratory and run bias. There are various sources of errors that contribute to results dispersion and many analysts often do not take them into account when determining their uncertainty budgets. Accordingly, it is crucial to check if the uncertainty estimates are realistic to apply corrective measures to any unrealistic uncertainty estimate. 3. Does the paper agree with Professor Hibbert’s book? Yes, the paper agrees with the book especially on checking and correcting unrealistic uncertainty estimate. Hibbert, in his book outlines the steps necessary to check and correct uncertainty estimates, which include:

• Specifying the measurand;
• Identifying the main sources of uncertainty;
• Determining the magnitude of the various uncertainty components;
• Combining the various significant uncertainty components that have been identified;
• Reviewing the estimates and reporting the measurement uncertainty.

The Analytical Method Committee (2003) has given the same procedure of identifying and correcting uncertainty estimates. Particularly, the article, like in Gilbertt’s book, eliminating uncertainty estimates involves identifying and correcting the main components of uncertainty estimates. 4. How does the topic fit in the overall problem of quality in the laboratory? The topic is extremely helpful in improving quality in laboratory tests, especially in analytical chemistry. Knowing that it is often impossible to avoid and confirm the absence of all errors arising from method, laboratory and run bias, the knowledge on how to check and correct uncertainty estimates helps in improving the quality of laboratory results. For instance, the article has suggested various methods of determining unrealistic uncertainties and correcting them. Therefore, analysts will be able to indicate realistic uncertainties in their results, which will help in improving laboratory results through increased validity and reliability. 5. Are there any other papers or published material on this topic (post a bibliography)? There are other papers and published material on the topic as described in the bibliography. a. A Method to Estimate the Uncertainty of Measurements in a Conglomerate of Instruments/Laboratories by Kallner, Khorovskaya and Pettersson (2005) This is a research article in which the authors address the issues of repeatability and reproducibility of laboratory tests. The authors conclude that variations often arise regarding laboratory results, which may pose a serious threat depending on the application of the test results. Accordingly, the authors provide an applicable approach for measuring and correcting uncertainty estimates in measurements. b. The Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty from Method Validation Studies by Barwick, Ellison, Rafferty and Gill (2000). This is a research paper in which the authors develop a protocol for measuring uncertainty estimates. Calculation of uncertainty estimates is crucial in deciding a corrective measure to ensure that laboratory results are valid and reliable.

Analytical Method Committee (AMC). 2003. AMC Technical Brief: Is my Uncertainty Estimate Realistic? Royal Society of Chemistry. Barwick, V.J, Ellison, L.R, Rafferty, J.Q & Gill, R.S. 2000. “The Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty from Method Validation Studies. Part 2: The Practical Application of a Laboratory Protocol”. Accred Qual Assur, vol 5, pp. 104-113. Kallner, A, Khorovskaya, L, & Pettersson, T. 2005. “A Method to Estimate the Uncertainty of Measurements in a Conglomerate of Instruments/Laboratories”. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation, Vol 65, pp. 551-558.

#4 Competence in Measurement

Article 1: What is the paper about? The paper is about accreditation and its ability to ensure competence in measurement. The paper describes accreditation, shows the need for ensuring competence through common understanding of the measurement concepts and how to ensure common understanding of the concepts (Bievre 2008). What are the issues raised? The author posits that accreditation, against an ISO Standard, is a must for measurement laboratories based on the notion that accredited laboratories are competent. However, the author wonders if such accreditation results to real and demonstrated competence, which is crucial in laboratory measurement. Real and demonstrated competence would be possible if assessors were able to understand and explain the key concepts forming the basis of the assessment and accreditation. Therefore, there is a dire need for the assessors and measurement laboratories to understand the various measurement concepts for accreditation to ensure competence in measurements. Professional bodies tasked with ensuring common understanding of the measurement concepts, including IUPAC and ISO, have come up with strategies to ensure common understanding of the concepts. Such strategies include, for example, the International Vocabulary of Metrology-Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms developed and provided by ISO. Does the paper agree with Professor Hibbert’s book? Yes, the paper agrees with Professor Hibbert’s book especially on the importance of a common understanding of the measurement concepts, such as the measurand, in ensuring competence in laboratory measurements. Bievre (2008) has stressed on the same issue, indicating that common understanding of the concepts will ensure consistency of answers when accrediting against international standards. How does the topic fit in the overall problem of quality in the laboratory? The topic contributes towards ensuring quality in the laboratory through competence resulting from accreditation. In other words, accreditation will work towards ensuring competence and eventually quality improvement in the laboratory. If analysts and assessors have a common understanding of the measurement concepts and the terminologies arising from them, accreditation will be meaningful, and it will ensure competence is measurement. Article 2: What is the article about? The article is about the need for competent assessors especially in understanding what they are assessing and performing measurement uncertainty (Bievre 2011). What are the issues raised? Bievre (2011) begins by indicating the need for specifying measurement uncertainty during accreditation considering that measurements have uncertainties (measurement results vary with procedures). Accordingly, the author posits that assessors should not consider measurement methods to have constant measurement uncertainty because measurement uncertainty vary with various parameters, the most crucial being the level of skill, competence, professionalism and accuracy an analyst shows when carrying out measurement procedures. Therefore, an assessor should evaluate the measurement procedure when evaluating and accrediting. In doing so, assessors are able to evaluate the consistency between declared measurement uncertainty and the analyst’s skills and competence. Therefore, assessors should have a clear understanding of what analysts are measuring to assess them effectively. Consequently, assessors should be knowledgeable on establishing metrological traceability and measurement procedures to ensure competence in measurement when assessing and accrediting measurement laboratories. Does the paper agree with Professor Hibbert’s book? Yes, the paper agrees with the book especially on uncertainty. The article outlines the various sources of variance in measurement results including the level of competence and accuracy during measurement, which call for the need for measurement uncertainty in accreditation. Similarly, Professor Hibbert talks about measurement uncertainty, the need to measure and consider it. How does the topic fit in the overall problem of quality in the laboratory? The paper is particularly helpful in improving the quality in laboratory measurements by ensuring that accreditation of laboratory measurements ensure competence in measurement. Competent and knowledgeable assessors will ensure competence in laboratory measurements by assessing the skills and competence of the analysts, which will ensure quality, competence and professionalism in laboratories. In other words, accreditation will help in ensuring competence in laboratories.

Bievre, P. 2008. ‘Does Accreditation Ensure Competence in Measurement?’ Accred Qual Assur, vol. 16, pp. 1-2. Bievre, P. 2011. ‘Does Accreditation Ensure Competence in Measurement?’ Accred Qual Assur, vol. 13, pp. 1-2.

What is supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)? Compare supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) with other column chromatographic methods. Supercritical fluid chromatography is a chemical separation method that uses supercritical forms of gases. The term supercritical is used for highly compressed chemical gases such that they possess both the characteristics of a gas and characteristics of a liquid .In other words, a substance is referred as a supercritical fluid when both its pressures and its temperatures are above its critical pressure and temperature. While a critical temperature is the temperature of a substance above which the liquid phase will not exist, critical pressure is the vapor pressure at the critical temperature of a substance. Density, refractive index, and viscosity are some of the properties of supercritical fluid. These however vary with temperature and pressure. SFH is similar to other column chromatographic methods like HPLC given that they utilize the similar principle. One of the variations is the fact that SFC typically utilizes CO2 as the mobile phase thus the need to pressurize the entire chromatographic flow path. In SFH just like in HPLC, separation is affected by variation of the mobile phase composition. For supercritical fluid chromatography, unlike other column chromatographic methods can be used within a wide range of sensitive detectors. IN GC and HPLC, the type of detector to be used is dominated by the mobile phase whereas SFC utilizes mobile phase, which can either be liquid like or gas like. List some of the advantageous properties of supercritical CO2 as a mobile phase for chromatographic separations. How analytes are usually recovered after an SFC? Often, supercritical CO2 is used in the mobile phase of supercritical fluid chromatography. CO2 remains one of the most useful in this case due to its ready availability .Other advantages of CO2 include low cost, low interference with chromatographic detectors, nontoxicity, low critical temperature ,inflammability and that it can permit aflame ionization detector to be used, with all the benefits in terms of ease of use, linearity and sensitivity. How do instruments for supercritical fluid chromatography differ from those for (a) HPLC and (b) GC? The major difference between the instruments used in supercritical fluid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography is the number of analytical columns used. In the former, two types of analytical columns areused, that is, Capillary columns of fused silica coated with cross-linked chemically bonded stationary phases and packed columns that are meant for high-performance liquid chromatography .The high-performance liquid chromatography only uses packed analytical columns .Similarly, the gas chromatography method only uses capillary columns of fused silica coat. The columns in all cases are made of stainless steel. List some advantages and important applications of SFC technique Advantages of supercritical fluid chromatography include: 1. It does not require a concentrating procedure or a cleanup procedure before analysis. 2. It is applied for various compounds from different matrixes, including caffeine extraction, tocopherolenrichment, flavors extraction and analysis of pesticide residues 3. SFC is available to use for non-volatile or thermally unstable compounds when combined with FID 4. SFC is advantageous given that supercritical fluids have low viscosity therefore fast in analysis and the use of open tubular columns is feasible. 5. Another advantage of SFC is that it can be used with a wide range of sensitive detectors. 6. With SFC, it is possible to analyse solutes of much higher molecular weight. 7. It is also possible to analyse thermally labile compounds with SFC. Applications of supercritical fluid chromatography; 1. Hypertensive patients’ diagnosis of the kidney fluids. 2. The method is used in the analysis of an aqueous solution of prostaglandins. 3. It has been used in analysis of fossil fuels and hydrocarbons in industries.

List of References

Graves, S.W. & Markides, K.E. 2000. Application of supercritical fluid chromatography to characterize a labile digitalis-like factor. Hypertension 36, pp.1059–1064. King, J.W. & Hill, H.H. 1993. Analytical Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Extraction. Peoria, Illnois: National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research. pp.2-41. Mansoori, G.A. 2001. Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Gel Permeation Chromatography for Characterization of Macromolecules. Chicago: University of Illnois, Department of Chemical Engineering. pp.2-30.

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Chemistry Assignments

How to write an excellent chemistry essay.

Chemistry is a fascinating subject that explores matter’s composition, properties, and behavior. As an essential branch of science, it offers abundant opportunities for students to delve into its intricacies and contribute to groundbreaking research. However, when writing a chemistry essay, many individuals need help conveying their knowledge and ideas coherently and effectively.

Whether you are a student seeking guidance or an enthusiast looking to enhance your skills, this article will provide valuable insights on how to write an excellent chemistry essay. By following these tips and techniques, you can unlock your potential to craft well-structured arguments, clearly present complex concepts, and impress readers with your depth of understanding in this captivating discipline.

What is a chemistry essay?

A chemistry essay is an academic piece of writing that explores and analyzes various aspects of the field of chemistry. This essay typically requires in-depth knowledge and understanding of chemical principles, theories, and concepts. It aims to demonstrate the writer’s grasp of the subject by presenting well-researched information, critical analysis, and logical arguments.

A chemistry essay, s often delves into topics such as chemical reactions, properties of elements and compounds, laboratory experiments, environmental impacts of chemicals, or advancements in chemical research. The essay may also cover sub-disciplines within chemistry like organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, or biochemistry. Furthermore, it may discuss real-life applications of chemical knowledge in fields such as medicine, industry, agriculture, or environmental science.

Chemistry Essay format

Writing a chemistry essay can be daunting, especially if you must familiarize yourself with the required format. However, following a few essential guidelines ensures that your essay is well-structured and effectively communicates your ideas.

• The introduction of a chemistry essay

To write an effective introduction, it is crucial to consider several key elements. Firstly, start with a compelling opening sentence that grabs the reader’s interest and provides context for the topic. For example, you could begin with a shocking fact or statistic about chemical reactions or highlight how chemistry impacts everyday life.

In addition to an attention-grabbing opening sentence, your introduction should also provide background information. This may include explaining relevant theories, concepts, or historical events related to your chosen subject matter. It is crucial to balance providing enough background information without overwhelming readers with unnecessary details. Furthermore, your introduction should clearly state your thesis statement or research question.

• The body section of a chemistry essay

The body section of a chemistry essay is where the bulk of your analysis and discussion will take place. Presenting your ideas clearly is crucial to ensure that each paragraph flows smoothly into the next. First and foremost, start by introducing your main argument or thesis statement. This will provide readers with an understanding of what to expect from the rest of your essay.

Next, focus on providing evidence and examples to support your argument. This can include data, experiments, or research findings from credible sources. Make sure to cite any references used accurately using the appropriate citation style for chemistry essays.

Furthermore, explaining and analyzing the significance of your evidence about your argument is crucial. Demonstrate how it supports or strengthens your point of view while addressing any potential counterarguments.

• The conclusion of a chemistry essay

The conclusion section of a chemistry essay is the final opportunity for you to leave a lasting impression on your reader. It is where you can summarize the main points of your essay and tie them together coherently and concisely. To write an effective conclusion, you should follow several key steps.

Firstly, restate your thesis statement in slightly different words to remind the reader of the main argument you have been making throughout your essay. Next, briefly recap the main points you have discussed in each paragraph of your article, highlighting their significance and relevance to your thesis. This will help reinforce the overall message and demonstrate that you have successfully made your case.

After summarizing your main points, it is vital to provide a sense of closure by offering some final thoughts or reflections. You can accomplish this by discussing any implications or consequences that arise from the findings presented in your essay.

Tips on how to write a good chemistry essay

With the right approach and some helpful tips, you can craft an exceptional chemistry essay piece that showcases your understanding of the subject and engages and captivates your readers.

• Start by thoroughly researching your topic. This will enable you to gather relevant information and develop a solid foundation for your essay
• Use reputable sources such as scientific journals, textbooks, and reliable websites to ensure accuracy in your content
• Create a well-structured outline before diving into writing. An outline helps you logically organize your thoughts and ideas, ensuring that each paragraph flows smoothly into the next
• Include an introduction that hooks the reader’s attention, body paragraphs that provide evidence and examples of chemical concepts or experiments, and a conclusion that summarizes key points discussed
• Divide your main body into paragraphs addressing a specific point or argument. Make sure to provide evidence from credible sources, such as scientific journals or textbooks, to support your claims
• In terms of writing style, be concise and clear in expressing your ideas
• Edit and proofread your essay before you submit it for marking

Chemistry Essay topics ideas

• The role of chemistry in everyday life
• The prospects of green chemistry
• The Role of Chemistry in Sustainable Energy
• Applications of Nanotechnology in Medicine
• The role of catalysts in chemical reactions
• The effects of air pollution on atmospheric chemistry
• The Impact of Plastics on the Environment
• The process behind spontaneous combustion
• Environmental chemistry and its impact on our planet
• The concept of green chemistry
• The Impact of Organic Chemistry on Medicine
• The impact of climate change on environmental chemistry
• Nanotechnology and its applications in medicine
• The role of enzymes in chemical reactions
• The role of organic compounds in everyday life
• The history and significance of the periodic table
• The role of enzymes in DNA replication
• The chemistry behind batteries and fuel cells – exploring their function, efficiency, and environmental impact
• The ethical implications of pharmaceutical drug development

FAQ on how to write a chemistry essay

• How to start a chemistry essay

Firstly, begin by clearly defining the scope and purpose of your essay. Decide whether you want to discuss a specific topic within chemistry or provide a broader overview of the subject. This will help you narrow your focus and establish a clear direction for your writing. Next, research the chosen topic thoroughly to gather relevant information and supporting evidence. The more knowledgeable you are about the subject matter, the more exciting and informative your essay will be.

• What are the characteristics of a good chemistry essay topic?

When writing a chemistry essay, selecting the right topic is crucial. A good chemistry essay topic has several key characteristics that set it apart. Firstly, it should be specific and focused, allowing in-depth analysis of the subject matter. For instance, instead of choosing a broad topic like The Importance of Chemical Reactions, opt for something more precise such as The Role of Enzymes in Catalyzing Chemical Reactions.

Additionally, a good chemistry essay topic should be relevant and up-to-date. This ensures that the information provided is current and addresses current scientific advancements or issues in the field. Choosing a timely topic can engage readers with new research findings or practical applications. A good chemistry essay topic should also allow for critical thinking and analysis.

• What are the components of a chemistry essay?

The first essential element of a chemistry essay is the introduction. This section sets the tone for the entire paper, providing background information on the topic and presenting a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument or objective of the essay. After introducing the case, the body paragraphs form another crucial component of a chemistry essay.

Each paragraph should focus on one specific point or idea related to the thesis statement. These paragraphs must be logically organized and supported by relevant evidence from credible sources such as scientific journals or textbooks. Providing clear explanations and examples is vital to engage readers and facilitate their understanding of complex chemical concepts. Lastly, concluding your chemistry essay effectively is essential to leave readers with a lasting impression.

Bottom line

In conclusion, a chemistry essay is an academic piece of writing that explores various aspects of the field of chemistry. It provides a platform for students to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and theories and their ability to analyze and evaluate scientific research critically. A chemistry essay follows a structured format, including an introduction, main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Conduct thorough research, cite credible sources, and use appropriate terminology when writing a chemistry essay. By mastering crafting a well-written and insightful chemistry essay, students can enhance their understanding of the subject matter and contribute to the growing body of scientific knowledge. Embrace the challenge of writing a chemistry essay and unleash your potential in this fascinating field!

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A guide to writing up your chemical science thesis

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This guide aims to give you guidance on how to write your thesis so that your research is showcased at its best. It includes suggestions on how to prepare for writing up and things to consider during the final stages. 

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Chemistry Writing Guide

Introduction, writing assignments, discipline-specific strategies, watch out for..., professor's comments and websites.

Writing in chemistry is similar to writing in other disciplines in that your paper must have a clear purpose that explains why you are writing, a thesis statement or main idea that defines the problem to be addressed, and background information wherever necessary. In addition, you should include evidence in the form of figures, graphs, and tables to support your argument.

You will be asked to write an abstract -- a single-spaced paragraph summary that briefly states the purpose of the experiment, important results (and how the results were obtained), and conclusions. Ideally, the abstract can be thought of as one or two sentences from each section of the paper that form a cohesive paragraph that summarizes the entire paper. The abstract should be single spaced unless you receive other instructions from your professor.

When writing an abstract, you should avoid too much experimental detail (e.g. concentration of stock solutions used) or preliminary results (i.e. "raw" data). In addition, make certain that the purpose of the experiment is stated clearly and early in the abstract. Ideally, it should be stated in the first or second sentence.

Lab Reports

There are six main sections in a chemistry paper: introduction, experimental section, results section, discussion section, conclusion, and list of references. As with most disciplines, the introduction should include your background knowledge of the experiment, including theory and past research, the relevance of your research, and the thesis statement. You may also state in your introduction any general conclusions you discovered, but try to avoid making your introduction longer than a page. The purpose of the introduction in a chemical journal is to provide (1) a literature review of what has been published on the subject to justify the importance of your research, (2) an explanation of any unusual experimental approaches, and (3) any background information or explanations that will help the reader understand your experiment and your results. Ultimately, the introduction should explain how the experimental approach you chose allows you to find the numerical or qualitative results you are looking for. For example, if you're going to determine if the substance you synthesized is a particular compound by examining its UV-Vis spectrum, you should find in the literature or a reference book the maximum wavelength of the compound and present it in the introduction. The experimental section focuses on the details of the experiment. Be certain to include enough information so that the reader could repeat the experiment and obtain similar results within the limits of uncertainty. The following should be addressed in this section: treatment of data (e.g. calculations or computations used to generate graphs) and an identification of instruments and sources of materials used (e.g. synthesized within the lab or bought from Aldrich, Sigma, or Fluka). For commercially available equipment, the manufacturer and the model should be mentioned (e.g. JASCO UV-Vis Spectrophotometer). The results section should include any figures, graphs, and tables that summarize the data. The material in this section should be presented in the order that best defends the thesis and the order in which they will be addressed in the discussion section. The order in which the data was collected is rarely important. For example, just because the data for graph N was collected before that of graph M does not mean that M shouldn't be presented first if it makes the presentation of data more coherent. In the results section, graphs are usually listed as figures. Tables are numbered and given specific titles (must include concentrations, volumes, etc.), which are placed at the top of the table. Figures (graphs or any other visuals) are numbered and given a caption, not a title. The caption should be several sentences long and explain what the figure is, what result is found from the figure, and the importance of the result. Captions are placed below the figure. For a results section, the text, tables, and figures should mirror each other. That is, the text must include all of the important information given in the graphs and tables, but in written form. If a table or figure is included in the report, it must be specifically referenced in the text as at the end of this sentence (Table 1). It might also be worthwhile to note that figures and tables are usually submitted to a journal and also to a professor with the tables and figures attached to the end of the report, not interspersed throughout the text. Journals insert your figures and tables according to their page format. In the discussion section, you should explain your results and observations and illustrate how they support your thesis, discuss any possible sources of error, and suggest potential future research stemming from your results. You may also want to mention any past research in the field that may pertain to your experiment's results.

Something to think about: results and discussion sections are often combined in chemical journals. In that case, each result is presented and then its relevance is explained. If you are writing a results section alone, you should only present, not interpret, your results. For example, a statement like, "The UV-Vis spectrum of the complex showed a peak at 291 nm" is a statement of your numerical result and is appropriate for a results section. A statement like, "The peak at 291 nm indicates that the complex changed conformation" is interpretive and belongs in a discussion section. Your conclusion should contain a brief summary of the paper and must state important results (e.g. yield of product) and assess the research with respect to the purpose. This section may be combined with the discussion section; that is, the last paragraph of the discussion section may act as a conclusion. In the reference section you must list all non-original sources used in the paper in the order in which they appear with the appropriate number. Citations should be made according to the format of the journal to which you will submit your paper. For a Swarthmore class, the Journal of the American Chemical Society format is appropriate. Unlike other disciplines, citations in a chemistry paper are usually not in-text or parenthetical, but incorporated using superscripts as at the end of this sentence. 1 It is sometimes appropriate in a discussion section to refer to other researchers by name and end the sentence with a reference. For example, "Khmelnitksy, et al. found that trypsin denatures in 2-propanol." 2

• Chemistry papers should be written in passive voice (unless you receive other instructions from your professor).
• Abbreviations or acronyms must be explained the first time they are used.
• Figures, graphs, and tables must be titled and referenced in the text.
• References (including textbooks and lab manuals) must be cited and numbered consecutively with the superscript number corresponding to that reference in the reference section of the paper. The use of superscript suffices as the mode of reference because it eliminates the need for in-text citations and footnotes.

I. Organization: As for all lab reports, chemistry reports are very structured and must be highly organized in a logical way. Organization of results is especially important. Your results and discussion sections, as well as tables and figures, should be organized in a way that leads the reader to draw the same conclusion that you did based on your data. Don't just tack on a graph at the end of the paper or arbitrarily put your results into a table. Think about how you can use tables to make comparisons between your data and literature or reference values. Think about the format of your tables and the chronology of your results section. How can you present your results so that the reader is already convinced of your conclusion before you explicitly state it?

II. Repetition: If you've already said it once, or it's already been published somewhere else, don't say it again. You can refer to other parts of your paper instead of repeating explanations or facts. If you've already written an experimental methods section, you've already explained your procedure; there is no need to provide procedural details again when you talk about results. If the procedure you used came from a published article, provide a short summary, explain any alterations, and then give the citation. Also, if you explain someone else's experimental results in the introduction, it is acceptable to write statements like, "As discussed above, Khmelnitsky, et al. found contradictory results" in your results section. Journals have page limits. Repetitious or unnecessary words or figures are unwelcome.

III. Distraction: Remember that the whole point of writing a chemistry paper is to present results and prove your conclusion based on those results. There are a lot of numbers, facts, and procedure information that you can easily get bogged down by. Just remember that ultimately you have to convince the reader that your conclusion is accurate. If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you have to include, try making a flow chart that shows the logical progression of your procedure. Or create your figures and tables first, and then use them as an outline or guide to write your results section. Take a look at published articles to get a sense of how others organize papers and what kinds of phrases and sentence structure are useful and accepted.

Courses Taught: General Chemistry, Organic I and II laboratories

Particular stylistic issues you should keep in mind:

"Write as concisely as possible. Know the meanings of the words you use and choose the best word for your purpose."

Grammar/spelling and word choice pet peeves:

• Using "this" and "that' as undefined pronouns
• Using "so" without "that" or "as"
• Misspelling of terms that are presented in the manual

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Student Guide to Writing a Chemistry Essay

• Essay Writing Guides

Everything around us consists of specific materials and substances. Even people consist of particular substances that originate, evolve, and disappear in the eternal cycle of life. The science dealing with these transformations and examining the composition of everything in the world is chemistry.

That’s why chemistry is one of the fundamental sciences that enjoys unending popularity among thousands of enthusiastic students. Some of them want to work in the medical sphere, creating new medications and saving humanity from chronic illnesses. Others want to develop new cosmetics to help women preserve their beauty and vitality. The food industry, automotive industry, aerospace companies – nobody can do without chemistry. Thus, learners studying this subject need to master many rules, formulas, and chemical processes to give value through their knowledge and skills.

Obviously, Chemistry is not everyone’s cup of tea. By looking at Human Resources school essay examples, for instance, you might get a false impression that writing an essay is simple and manageable. Still, Chemistry is an exact science that doesn’t stand guesswork and creativity. Thus, you should keep specific rules, theories, and formulas in mind when writing it.

If you feel confused and unsure about how your Chemistry assignment should be written, it’s not wise to submit a mediocre or off-topic paper to your professor. Your grades are too important to leave them to chance and risk your GPA.

So, you can always get in touch with an experienced Chemistry writer to get a top-notch assignment completed in hours. We have a large team of such experts on standby 24/7, ready to give a helping hand to all students seeking academic support from pros.

Chemistry Essay Format

Overall, the Chemistry format doesn’t differ that much from that of essays on any other subject. The critical point you need to remember is that exact sciences differ from the humanities. Thus, you cannot take a Human Resources school essay or Human Resources management essay and use them as templates for writing about Chemistry.

This subject has its specific requirements, while the structure is still pretty universal. Every essay should include the following parts.

An Introduction

This part of an essay traditionally explains the overall context of the research and gives the readers an initial idea of what the student wants to examine. It poses the research question or challenges the readers with a specific research problem, thus focusing their attention on the pursuit of solutions.

The body of a chemistry paper should introduce the readers to all relevant terminology and provide solid argumentation from the author’s standpoint. It should dedicate one paragraph to one argument, thus giving a clear, logical flow to enhance the readers’ comprehension.

A Conclusion

The final section of a Chemistry paper should be dedicated to a brief summary of the content and a broader inference to the study’s significance for the broader chemistry area.

Thus, by following this format, you can quickly complete any Chemistry work the way your professor wants it to be done.

Write Chemistry Essay in 5 Steps

Creating any assignment should follow a set of specific steps, so we recap each of them to give you a solid basis for your essay’s creation.

#1 Topic Choice

Once you get an assignment on Chemistry, the first step is choosing a topic that relates to your current course materials and at the same time represents interest to you. Otherwise, you may find the writing process too dull and time-consuming.

#2 Research

Now it’s time to study what people say on your topic and how they approach your subject. It’s much easier to build an argument with a couple of reliable, reputable sources at hand.

#3 Outlining

Create a roadmap for your writing process; in this way, you won’t waste time on additional checks of the prompt, having clear guidance in front of your eyes.

This part of your Chemistry homework won’t take too much time if you complete all the previous steps correctly. Please focus on the structure we’ve discussed above, and your paper will evolve hassle-free.

Now it’s time to revisit the essay and look at the parts requiring improvement. Polish it in terms of grammar, style, and syntax, and your professor will surely give you a high grade.

Chemistry Topics

Topic selection is one of the critical bottlenecks that students face at the very beginning of their work on home tasks. The academic area is so broad and diverse that one can hardly narrow down the scope of research and focus on something specific. But we have a great set of Chemistry topics fitting any occasion. Feel free to choose from this list, and you’re sure to get a high grade for the paper you’ll prepare.

• The chemical causes of food allergy.
• The impact of pheromones on human beings.
• The role of plastic packaging in the global warming processes.
• The chemical composition of acid rains.
• What causes human teeth to decay?
• The difference in composition of branded drugs versus generic drugs.
• The hidden mechanisms of avitaminosis.
• The chemical basis of mood alteration in the human brain.
• The legacy of women in chemistry studies and discoveries.
• The composition of atoms.
• The role of catalysts in chemical reactions.
• How did humans perceive the composition of things before the advent of chemistry as a science?
• Skills and knowledge required from a professional chemist.
• The principles and processes behind radioactive decay.
• The mechanism of photosynthesis.
• Organic waste processing methods.
• How can a layperson create a safe smoke bomb?
• The chemical basis of burning fire.
• How are the consumed nutrients reflected in the person’s hair composition?
• Chemical compounds of drugs.
• Chemical compounds causing the intoxicating effect of alcohol.
• How does the soap create foam?
• What are the chemical principles behind the conductivity of materials?
• The principle of spectroscopy.
• The contribution of nanoscience to advancements in chemistry.

How to Start a Chemistry Essay

Starting a Chemistry assignment is always a challenge, especially if you’re new to the topic or have some doubts about the content it should include. Unlike a Human Resources plan essay, it should be based on a specific chemical topic and feature some predetermined chemical reactions or properties of the examined substances. Thus, it’s impossible to treat this task light-heartedly, focusing on cold hard facts and formulas instead of subjective thoughts and ideas.

Our tips for Chemistry students are as follows:

• Try to find argumentative Chemistry topics so that the content may be composed with your individual tone and style, reflecting your personality.
• Research the subject extensively to find reliable evidence and avoid confusing the readers and the professor.
• Check more than one Chemistry example online to see how other students have approached this subject before you. They have already passed this test, so their takeaways – both right and wrong things – can serve as valuable educational material for you.

Once you follow these tips, Chemistry writing shouldn’t be much of a challenge to you. But anyway, if you experience issues with essay writing, Human Resources or Chemistry (or any other subject), you can get prompt and professional assistance from our experts.

Don’t hesitate to contact them in case of any academic trouble, and they will do an exemplary job researching, writing, and editing your assignments on any subject.

Example #1: Nickel manufacture, recycle and its Environmental Impacts

Nickel occurs naturally as oxides, silicates and sulphides. It is strong, lustrous and silvery white in color. Nickel sulfide processing is mainly used for treating nickel ores which involves concentration, smelting and refining (Environment Australia, 1999). First, Nickel from sulphide ore is separated using froth flotation and magnetic process. The product obtained is further processed using sherritـGordon process. The sulphide ore can also be treated with hydrogen where they are volatized in the kiln. It is then reacted with carbon monoxide at a temperature of about 60° C forming Nickel Carbonyl gas which decomposes on the surface of the Nickel pellet until they reach the desired size (Gold ore crusher, n.d.). Approximately four tonnes of nickel scraps are collected yearly and recycled. The scrap is stainless steel scrap from machinery, equipment and consumer goods. Most of the recycled Nickel is in the form of steel scrap, batteries, bronzes, chemical leachates, liquor, dust, catalyst and coinage. These scraps are separated from other parts, for example, assembled nickel which is then processed to materials of similar composition, therefore, used as new products. Nickel is released into the environment by waste incinerator and power plants. It can also penetrate into the surface water as part of waste water. When nickel compounds are released in the environment they are adsorbed to sediments thus becoming immobile. In acidic soil nickel is more mobile, therefore, it rinse out the ground water. High concentration of nickel in sandy soil damages plants and diminishes the growth rate of algae on surface water. It can also cause cancer in animal when it exceeds the set standard concentration. Therefore, there is need to regulate nickel uses, according to its physical and chemical characteristics. There should be regulations in order to protect workers and other members of the public on the possible effect on their health. Moreover, the environment should be protected by the introduction of the emission levels (Environment Australia, 1999).

What i learnt is Nickel has become very important recently, due to increasing industrial and commercial importance. Moreover, due to its excellent properties including strength at higher temperatures, ductility and corrosion resistance, it is used as a raw material to make products. This information was very important because I learned that nickel can be reused again, therefore, I should always preserve the old batteries and other nickel containing scraps for recycling. However, Nickel may cause environmental effect including health and safety effects. Therefore, I should take precautions when handling nickel product due to its toxicity. The problem encountered while working in a group was that there was argument about how the task would be performed. It took a lot of time to decide on how to perform the task. There were different ideas whether the members should perform the assignment together or individually. When we finally formalised the meeting, each member was assigned a task to perform. Hine (2000) suggests that sharing discussion helps in transforming how a person reflects. Group work helped us to have broader ideas since tasks were shared and also good leadership leads to excellent results. Being in team work facilitated learning and enhanced my understanding on the topic. In addition team work experience helped me to understand my strengths and weakness in a team.

Reference List

Environment Australia, 1999, Emission estimation technique manual for nickel concentrating, smelting, and refining: National Pollutant Inventory, 65 p. http://www.npi.gov.au/handbooks/approved_handbooks/pubs/fnickel. (Accessed May 20, 2014.) Hine, A. (2000). Mirroring effective education though mentoring, metacognition and self reflection. Paper presented to Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, Sydney. http://www.aare.edu.au/00pap/hin00017.html. (Retrieved May 21, 2014) How is nickel ore processed in Perth, Australia. (n.d.). – Gold Ore Crusher. http://www.goldorecrusher.com/mining-knowledge/how-is-nickel-ore-processed-in-perth-australia. (Retrieved May 21, 2014.)

Example #2: Microwave Organic Synthesis

Name: Institution: Microwave Organic Synthesis Abstract

For the past few decades, Electromagnetic microwave radiation has been widely used to provide heat for the synthesis of organics. The technology uses two main basic mechanisms; conduction and dipolar polarization. The technique provides a simple, fast, efficient and the most economical way of synthesizing organic molecules, which has seen chemists shift from the traditional heating methods. This article focuses on the generation of a microwave, as well as its importance in organic synthesis.

Introduction

A microwave is a form of electromagnetic energy. The use of microwave assisted organic synthesis technique has made the building of small molecules fast, making it a valuable tool that accelerates the discovery and development of drugs. Unlike other forms of radiation such as gamma and X-rays, microwave energy does not alter the compound’s molecular structure because of its non-ionizing thermal activation. The heating effect is as a result of dielectric polarization of the molecules. When the molecules are irradiated with microwaves, they get aligned with the applied electric field. The electric field keeps on changing rapidly, forcing the particles to realign constantly with the changing field, and in the process, energy is absorbed. The dielectric constant determines the ability of a compound to convert the microwave energy into heat energy. The higher the dielectric constant, the rapid the heating process (E.Karthikeyan, 2011).

Microwave Heating

Microwave heating uses the electromagnetic transformation ability of some solids and liquids that transform the radiation into heat that drives the chemical reactions. This technique is important for reactions that are not suitable for the conventional heating. Advantages of Microwave heating over the traditional heating:

• Increased speed
• High efficiency
• Reduced side reactions
• High purity in the final product
• Improved reproducibility
• Reduced heat loss to the environment
• Reduced wastage of the reaction vessel
• Green Technologies

Solvents that are used in chemical synthesis are environmentally unfriendly when they are disposed. The microwave irradiation technology has overcome this problem since the technique enables performing of reactions without the use of solvents. In conjunction with mineral-supported catalyzed reactions, the microwave irradiation has provided a clean chemical process with several advantages.

Dry media Reactions

There has been increased campaign for use of environmentally friendly reagents and procedures. The microwave heating completes various reactions under solvent-free conditions on solid supports.

Microwave Synthesis

Microwave heating of organic compounds ha s eliminated the use fire in synthetic chemistry that has led to ‘dry media’ reactions. The technology has also been exploited other related fields such as synthesis of polymers, biochemical processes, nanotechnology and material science.

Microwave Synthesis on Solid Supports

Microwave heating is used in carrying out ‘dry media’ reactions on solid supports. This is demonstrated in transformations such as condensation, protection, de-protection, oxidation and reduction reactions. A variety of industrial compounds and intermediates are prepared by this clean, solvent-free approach. The organic compounds in these reactions absorb microwaves, and the solid support restricts their transmission (E.Karthikeyan, 2011).

Other Applications

Industrial applications of microwave heating process include; drying of pharmaceutical powders, pasteurization of foods, preparation of hydrogen cyanide and chlorination plants. Other exploitations of the of microwave heating include creation of improved crystallinity in intercalation compounds, production of organometallic compounds and polymer curing (E.Karthikeyan, 2011).

Example #3: Summary of the Article “Preparation and Characterization of Ceria Nanospheres by Microwave-Hydrothermal Method”

Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation

Summary of the Article “Preparation and Characterization of Ceria Nanospheres by Microwave-Hydrothermal Method”

In their experimental research “Preparation and characterization of ceria nanospheres by microwave-hydrothermal method,” Santos and his colleagues (Santos et al., 2008) outline the microwave-hydrothermal method that enables the synthesis of cerium compounds at faster rates and at reduced temperatures. According to the authors, a nanocrystalline CeO2 powder is used as nanomaterial in catalysts, optical devices, polishing materials, and oxygen sensors, among other applications (Santos et al., 2008). In addition, they assert other methods have been developed for the synthesis of the ultra-fine CeO2 powder, and they include co-precipitation, organometallic decomposition, conventional hydrothermal, flow method, and their newly developed microwave-hydrothermal methods. In their method, they have used ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6, and a surfactant (PEG) to synthesize ultra-fine CeO2. CeO2 powder produced by microwave-hydrothermal method has narrow size distribution with a uniform spherical morphology.

Experimental

In this method, they dissolved (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 and PEG in water, then added NH4OH until a pH 9 was obtained. The resultant solution transferred into an autoclave and heated in a domestic microwave at 130oC for 20 minutes. The CeO2 powder obtained was washed with deionized water and subsequently dried at 80oC. The dried powder was further treated by calcination at 500oC at different periods of 1, 2, and 4h. The fully treated particles were analyzed by X-ray powder for its characteristics. They used Scherrer equation (d=kλ/βcosθ) to determine the crystallite size of CeO2. The morphology of CeO2 particles was characterized by field-emission gun (FEG/STEM mode). A Netzsch-409 STA was used to analyze TG-DTA. They further used a Bruker Equinox-55 instrument to record the FT-IR spectra. In addition, Roman spectra were recorded with Bruker RFS-100/S Raman spectrometer. They also used YAG laser as to provide excitation for the experiment with its power maintains at 150 mW.

Results and discussions

The curves in Fig.1 show the TG-DTA analyses of ceria powder. TG curves show a weight loss of about 11 %, which shows hydration has taken place. The mass loss is as a result of decomposition of Ce(OH)3 (9.95%) or Ce(OH)4/CeO2.2H2O (17.3%), which leads to partial hydration of ceria phases. Only 90% of weight loss occurs at 500oC. However, 650oC may be needed for a complete dehydration. In addition, DTA curve indicates an endothermic weight loss at 86oC. The endothermic weight loss is because of water absorbed by ceria powder. An exothermic peak between 270-350oC correlates to weight loss due to the crystallization of an amorphous phase. Fig.2 shows the characteristics of calcined ceria powder. The patterns were uniform across all conditions in the experiment. The peaks in the figure are a pure cubicflourite structure of CeO2. Moreover, the intensive diffraction peak is at 2θ=28.660° originating from [111] lattice plane of fcc CeO2. The ceria powders are of smaller sizes as indicated by the broadening of the peaks. After the calcination, XRD peaks became sharper with time while FWHM reduced; an indication the calcination process accelerates the crystallinity of CeO2. According to them, the calcination temperature further affects crystalline sizes of ceria powder. The authors agreed that when all conditions for synthesis of CeO2 are met, particle agglomeration due to van der Waal’s forces leads to the formation of ultra-fine CeO2 particles.

Fig.4 provides Raman and FTIR spectral characteristics of CeO2 powder sample. According to the authors, the high intense band observed in the sample corresponds to the oxygen-hydrogen and hydrogen bonds in the water molecules within the crystals. The presence of residual water and the hydroxyl group do not depend on the synthesis method. As a result, they are present in any ceria powder and eliminated by heat treatment. Furthermore, the formation of hydrated ceria powder (CeO2.nH2O) involves the formation of complexes through the hydroxylation and deprotonation of metal ions.

Conclusions

In conclusions, the authors report a simple microwave-hydrothermal method to synthesize a pure CeO2 at 130oC for 20 minutes. They also concluded that the methods not only save time and apply low temperature, but it also enables the control of morphological and structural properties. They also confirmed the material can be used as nanomaterial in several fields such as catalyst and electrical materials.

Santos, M.L.D. et al. (2008). Preparation and characterization of ceria nanospheres by microwave-hydrothermal method. Materials Letters, 60, 4509-4511. doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2008.08.011

Example #4: Summary, Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for microwave-induced rapid catalytic decplorization of congo red dye.

Zuas, O. , Budiman H. and Hamin , N. originally published in Advanced Material Letters 2013 ( 4 (0) pp 662-667

This article is concerned with the problem of finding methods of rapidly removing dye from waste water on an industrial scale.

The article begins by describing the experiment set up by researchers in the Indonesian Institute of Science when seeking a solution to this global problem among industrialised nations, and in particular among companies who use dyes such as congo red in their industrial processes and who then need to remove this dye in the most suitable way possible, and taking into account that this needs to be done before the dye is released into the nearby water sources, where its presence is so harmful.

At the time of this experiment the removal of industrial dye from waste water was already possible using catalytic oxidation methods, as these researchers concede, citing six instances where this had been attempted. The thinking behind this particular research was that it seemed likely that by combining methods already in use with microwave technology the results could be improved.

An experiment was designed and then set up by these researchers in which the synthesis of nanoparticles was achieved using co-precipitation and then calcining for 4 hours at 500C. Resulting data showed well-formed crystals with a high degree of purity. The crystals were then tested for decolorization of the dye by using microwave irradiation. After a short contact time the results were that in 90.63 rate of efficiency the dye was decolorised under particular conditions as specified in the article .The researchers were concerned with the primary concentration of the particular dye, the amount of contact time and the dosage of the catalysts. It was felt by the researchers that because the catalytic effect was obvious it must be that when the ZnO nanoparticles met the microwave technology this produced a synergistic effect in decolorizing the dye with a high degradation rate achieved quite rapidly. This would mean that such technology is usable as an alternative method when trying to remove industrial dyes from waste water, and so dealing with relative ease with a world-wide problem, in that water is being polluted by the use of dyes in industry. This isn’t just about the coloring of water, but the fact that when these dyes are present this has a negative effect upon aquatic ecosystems, as well as the human populations which rely upon them. There is therefore a need to alleviate this problem, preferably in a way that is easy to set up, and which is both effective and cost efficient. There is also the fact that the industrial companies involved have a responsibility to the wider world , and in this case in particular to those who utilise the water into which their used dye materials are dispersed, whether as who rely on the water, but also to the many forms of life within the water which might be adversely affected if dyes are present in quantity.

For these reasons a number of attempts, cited by these authors, have attempted to find viable solutions to this global problem of the industrial age. The authors describe in detail such things as the reagents used ; the synthesis of ZnO nano-particles; the characterization of the synthesized ZnO nan-particles and the catalytic evaluation of the synthesized ZnO nano-particles. The article described a number of other methods which have been tried to achieve similar results. These include catalytic wet oxidation using modified Y zeolite as a catalyst, as described by Kondru et al in 2009. Also mentioned is photo catalysis, as described by Erdemoglu et al in 2008 and sonocatalysis as described by Wang et al (2008), as well as methods such as the biological ones, using fungi to eliminate these dyes in waste water. ( Battacharya et al, 2011). If left alone the dyes undergo biological changes when in a watery environment and this includes using up oxygen dissolved in the water, so decreasing the levels of dissolved oxygen and depriving creatures which would use this oxygen, so cutting down on numbers and types of biodiversity in particular environments. The fact that so many other attempts have been made to come up with a viable solution to the problem of dye polluting the water supply after industrial usage suggests not only the wide spread problems caused to the water systems , but also that those methods already tried were none of them completely effective.

The results of their particular experiment using microwaves are described in great detail, including such things as the diffraction peaks of the crystals created; the evaluation of the microwaves of the synthesized ZnO nano-particles; the effect of the initial concentration of the congo red dye used and the effect of the ZnO dosages used followed by the effects of various contact times tried, so this was a very complex experiment, or rather a series of similar experiments with a number of possible variables and so a series of results. So they were comparing the decolorization under a number of different treatment processes.

The authors concluded, having carried out all these experiments and having carefully evaluated the results, that the experiments showed that the use of microwave technology was linked to a process whereby the use of synthesized ZnO nano-particles was enhanced when used in aqueous solutions to remove congo red dye. They see this as a potentially possible method to ease the pollution caused by the present practice of releasing industrial dyes into the water supply as contaminated waste water. It also gives one more choice of possible treatment available to environmentalists as they seek to combat the adverse results of industrialisation upon aquatic environments in a variety of situations around the world.

Battacharya, S. Das, A., Mangai, G., Vignesh, K. and Sangeetha,J.,( 2011) Micoremediation of Congo Red Dye by Filamentous Fungi, Brazilian Journal of Microbiology , 42 (4) p 1526 Erdemoglu, S., Asku, S., Sayilkan, S., Izbi, B., Astilturk, M., Sayilkan, H., Frimmel, F. and Gucer, S.,(2008), Journal of Hazardous Material 155 (3) page 469 Kondru , A., Kumar , P., Chand, S, ( 2009) Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of azo dye (Congo red) using modified Y zeolite as catalyst, Journal of Hazardous Material, 166 ( 1) 342 – 347 Wang, J., Jiang, Y., Zhang, Z., Zhao, S., Zhang .G., Ma, T. and Sun W., ( 2007) Investigation on the sonocatalytic degradation of congo red as catalysed by nanometer rutile TiO2 powder and various influencing factors, Desalination, 216 p 196- 208

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Writing in Chemistry (Part 1)

In this article, we state the rules about the format and content of an academic paper in the field of chemistry and describe the scientific conventions used in chemistry papers.

Format and Content of Chemistry Articles

You need to remember that the readers expect two things when reading your paper:

• to understand the information presented
• to know that the findings are legitimate

How Do You Meet These Goals?

Introduction, methods and materials.

This format may slightly differ depending on the journal, e.g., some ask you to include an abstract or separate section for the hypothesis. Overall, however, this represents a textual version of the scientific method.

Choose terms that are as specific as the text permits

Avoid: A magnetic alloy

Use:  A vanandium–iron alloy

• Refrain from using phrases such as “on the,” “a study of,” “research on,” and “regarding.”
• Refrain from using non-quantitative, meaningless words such as “rapid” and “new.”

A good abstract clearly identifies the purpose of the experiment and the important results.

Avoid pedagogical comments such as,

This experiment helped us learn about the nature of chemical reactions.

The goal of this experiment was to learn about dyes.

Avoid starting with “ The purpose of this experiment was… ” Such background information belongs in the Introduction section.

Avoid referencing. Be specific about what was done.

Avoid vague statements such as “ …a metal complex was prepared and the percent yield was calculated.”

Instead use , “… hexaammine cobalt (III) chloride was prepared from cobalt (II), chloride, and hydrogen peroxide. The yield was 8.45 g.”

When writing a full report, write the Abstract last.

Go step-wise!

• Start by explaining the larger area of the research
• Provide examples of progress in the field
• A clear statement of the research problem
• Approach being addressed in the current report

Avoid: This experiment intends to investigate upon any measurable amounts of Nickel in the surrounding mud area and within barnacles living on the pilings.

Use: The purpose of this study is to determine the nickel content in the surrounding mud area and in the barnacles living on the pilings.

Include a description of your experimental procedure and names of instruments used. Don’t rewrite the lab manual or protocol.

Avoid: Next, prepare copper solution. Weigh 0.1821 g of copper nitrate and dilute it in 10 mL of tap water.

Use: A solution was prepared by dissolving copper nitrate (0.1821 g) in tap water (10 mL).

Further subdivide into:

• Materials—sources and purity of reagents used
• Preparation of compounds—with procedure and summary of characterization by NMR, IR, etc.
• Instrumentation—manufacturer, description of any adaptation, or sample preparation

A good materials and methods section should allow the reader to completely reproduce what you did in the lab using what you have written.

Include a summary of your raw data, preferably supported by tables and figures, and important observations.

Don’t include long tables of raw data, instead simply present the results of your calculations.

Avoid: The following standard concentrations were used to follow X law for the absorbances at the corresponding wavelength (Table).

Use: The standard concentrations were measured at the corresponding wavelengths and the data provided in Table 1.

Figures, Tables, Equations

Explain the purpose of every figure, schemes, equation, and table in the Results section. When referring to a figure, table, or equation, use its number in the text.

A plateau was observed at reduced pressures >0.1, as indicated in Table 1.

Indicate every figure, table, and equation with a number. Figures and tables require a number and a descriptive title and equations normally have a number placed in parentheses at the right margin.

Figure 1. Mass Uptake vs. Reduced Pressure for A

Table 1. Powder Diffraction Data Obtained for A

A = B 2                                                                             (1)

“Figure” is much preferred presently compared to the labels “chart” and “graph.”

• Analyze your results
• Comment on the purpose of the experiment
• Explain what the results indicate
• What are sources of error (experimental uncertainty/precision) and limitations?
• What additional experiments could help address any dangling ends?
• Do the results agree with what others have found?
• Do the results support a model or hypothesis?

Avoid: If, for example, we could have used a red and green apple to determine the components, we could have averaged the data and obtained more accurate results.

Use: For example, if data were obtained from both a red and a green apple, the averaged results could provide more representative values.

Summarize your results and discussion with a short conclusion , phrasing it in terms of the broader questions addressed in the Introduction .

When testing a hypothesis, you may want to say that the hypothesis was “ proved ” or “ disproved ” or was “ correct ” or “ incorrect .”

Remember, you’re testing a theory with a procedure that lasts only a few hours and relies on only a few trials, which severely compromises your ability to be sure about the “truth” you see.

Therefore, words like “supported,” “indicated,” and “suggested” are more acceptable ways to evaluate your hypothesis .

In the  next article , we will discuss the scientific conventions and styles used in Chemistry articles.

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Student Guide to Writing a Chemistry Essay

Every thing around us contains specific materials and substances. Even people consist of particular substances that originate, evolve, and disappear in the eternal cycle of life. The science dealing with these transformations and examining the composition of everything on earth is chemistry.

That’s why chemistry is one of the fundamental sciences that enjoys unending popularity among thousands of enthusiastic students. Many of them want to work in the medical sphere, creating new medications and saving humanity from chronic illnesses. The others want to develop new cosmetics to help women preserve their beauty and vitality. The meals industry, automotive industry, aerospace companies – nobody can perform without chemistry. Thus, learners studying this subject have to master many rules, formulas, and chemical processes to provide value through their knowledge and skills.

Demonstrably, Chemistry just isn't everyone’s cup of tea. By taking a look at Human Resources school essay examples, for instance, you will get a misconception that writing an essay is simple and manageable. Still, Chemistry is definitely an exact science that doesn’t stand guesswork and creativity. Thus, you ought to keep specific rules, theories, and formulas in mind when writing it.

Should you feel confused and unsure about how precisely your Chemistry assignment must certanly be written, it’s not a good idea to submit a mediocre or off-topic paper to your professor. Your grades are too crucial that you leave them to chance and risk your GPA.

Therefore you can always get in touch with a seasoned Chemistry writer to get a top-notch assignment completed in hours. We have a sizable team of such experts on standby 24/7, willing to give a helping hand to any or all students seeking academic support from pros.

Chemistry Essay Format

Over all, the Chemistry format doesn’t differ that much from that of essays on any other subject. The critical point you will need to remember is that exact sciences change from the humanities. Thus, you cannot have a Human Resources school essay or Human Resources management essay and use them as templates for writing about Chemistry.

This subject has its specific requirements, whilst the structure remains pretty universal. Every essay should include these parts.

An Introduction

This part of an essay traditionally explains the general context of the research and provides the readers an initial notion of what the student really wants to examine. It poses the study question or challenges the readers with a specific research problem, hence focusing their attention on the quest for solutions.

The human body of a chemistry paper should introduce the readers to all relevant terminology and supply solid argumentation from the author’s point of view. It should dedicate one paragraph to one argument, thus giving a clear, logical flow to boost the readers’ comprehension.

A Conclusion

The last section of a Chemistry paper should be specialized in a brief summary of the information and a broader inference to the study’s significance for the broader chemistry area.

Hence, by third , format, it is possible to quickly complete any Chemistry work just how your professor wants it to be achieved.

Write Chemistry Essay in 5 Steps

Creating any assignment should follow a set of specific steps, so we recap each of them to provide you with a solid basis for your essay’s creation.

#1 Topic Choice

As soon as you get an assignment on Chemistry, step one is selecting a topic that relates to your present course materials and at exactly the same time represents interest to you. Otherwise, you may find the writing process too dull and time-consuming.

#2 Research

Now it’s time and energy to study what folks say on your own topic and how they approach your subject. It’s much easier to create an argument with a couple of reliable, reputable sources at hand.

#3 Outlining

Produce a roadmap for the writing process; in this way, you won’t spend time on additional checks of the prompt, having clear guidance facing your eyes.

This part of your Chemistry homework won’t simply take too much time in the event that you complete most of the previous steps correctly. Please focus on the structure we’ve discussed above, and your paper will evolve hassle-free.

Now it’s time for you to revisit the essay and appearance at the parts requiring improvement. Polish it with regards to grammar, style, and syntax, and your professor will surely offer you a high grade.

Chemistry Topics

Topic selection is among the critical bottlenecks that students face at the very beginning of their focus on home tasks. The academic area is indeed broad and diverse that one may hardly narrow down the scope of research and focus on something specific. But we have an excellent set of Chemistry topics fitting any occasion. Feel free to pick from this list, and you’re sure to obtain a high grade for the paper you’ll prepare.

• The chemical causes of food allergy.
• The impact of pheromones on human beings.
• The role of plastic packaging in the global warming processes.
• The chemical composition of acid rains.
• What causes human teeth to decay?
• The difference in composition of branded drugs versus generic drugs.
• The hidden mechanisms of avitaminosis.
• The chemical basis of mood alteration in the mental faculties.
• The legacy of women in chemistry studies and discoveries.
• The composition of atoms.
• The role of catalysts in chemical reactions.
• How did humans perceive the composition of things prior to the advent of chemistry as a science?
• Skills and knowledge required from the professional chemist.
• The principles and processes behind radioactive decay.
• The mechanism of photosynthesis.
• Organic waste processing methods.
• How can a layperson create a safe smoke bomb?
• The chemical basis of burning fire.
• How are the consumed nutrients reflected in the person’s hair composition?
• Chemical compounds of drugs.
• Chemical substances causing the intoxicating effect of alcohol.
• How does the soap create foam?
• Do you know the chemical maxims behind the conductivity of materials?
• The principle of spectroscopy.
• The contribution of nanoscience to advancements in chemistry.

How to Start a Chemistry Essay

Starting a Chemistry assignment is obviously a challenge, especially if you’re new to the subject or possess some doubts in regards to the content it will include. Unlike a Hr plan essay, it should be centered on a specific chemical topic and have some predetermined chemical reactions or properties of the examined substances. Thus, it’s impossible to deal with this task light-heartedly, focusing on cold hard facts and formulas instead of subjective thoughts and ideas.

Our tips for Chemistry students are as follows:

• Look for argumentative Chemistry topics so the content could be composed together with your individual tone and style, reflecting your personality.
• Research the subject extensively to find reliable evidence and steer clear of confusing the readers and the professor.
• Always check more than one Chemistry example on line to observe how other students have approached this subject before you. They have already passed this test, so their takeaways – both right and wrong things – can serve as valuable educational material for you.

As soon as you follow these pointers, Chemistry writing shouldn’t be much of a challenge for you. But anyway, if you experience issues with essay writing, Recruiting or Chemistry (or any subject), you may get prompt and professional assistance from our experts.

Don’t hesitate to get hold of them in case there is any academic trouble, and they'll do an exemplary job researching, writing, and editing your assignments on any subject.

Example #1: Nickel manufacture, recycle and its Environmental Impacts

Nickel occurs naturally as oxides, silicates and sulphides. It's strong, lustrous and silvery white in color. Nickel sulfide processing is mainly employed for treating nickel ores , involving concentration, smelting and refining (Environment Australia, 1999). First, Nickel from sulphide ore is separated using froth flotation and magnetic process. The product obtained is further processed using sherritـGordon process. The sulphide ore can be treated with hydrogen where they are volatized in the kiln. It's then reacted with carbon monoxide at a temperature of about 60° C forming Nickel Carbonyl gas which decomposes on top of the Nickel pellet until they reach the specified size (Gold ore crusher, n. d. ). Approximately four tonnes of nickel scraps are collected annually and recycled. The scrap is metal scrap from machinery, equipment and consumer goods. All the recycled Nickel is in the shape of steel scrap, batteries, bronzes, chemical leachates, liquor, dust, catalyst and coinage. These scraps are separated from other parts, for instance , assembled nickel which is then processed to materials of similar composition, therefore , used as new services. Nickel is released into the environment by waste incinerator and power plants. It can also penetrate into the surface water included in waste water. When nickel compounds are released in the environment they're adsorbed to sediments hence becoming immobile. In acidic soil nickel is more mobile, consequently , it rinse out the bottom water. High concentration of nickel in sandy soil damages plants and diminishes the growth rate of algae on surface water. It can also cause cancer in animal when it exceeds the set standard concentration. Therefore , there's need to regulate nickel uses, according to its physical and chemical faculties. There should be regulations in order to protect workers along with other members of the public on the possible effect on their health. More over, the environment ought to be protected by the introduction of the emission levels (Environment Australia, 1999).

What i learnt is Nickel has become extremely important recently, as a result of increasing industrial and commercial importance. Furthermore, due to its exemplary properties including strength at higher temperatures, ductility and corrosion resistance, it is used as a raw material to make products and services. This information was very important because I learned that nickel can be reused again, for that reason I should always preserve the old batteries and other nickel containing scraps for recycling. However , Nickel may cause environmental effect including health and safety effects. Therefore , I ought to take precautions when handling nickel product due to its toxicity. The situation encountered while working in friends was that there was argument about how the job would be performed. It took a lot of time to pick how to perform the task. There have been different a few ideas whether the members should perform the assignment together or individually. Once we finally formalised the meeting, each member was assigned a task to do. Hine (2000) implies that sharing discussion helps in transforming what sort of person reflects. Group work helped us to have broader ideas since tasks were shared as well as good leadership leads to very good results. Being in team work facilitated learning and enhanced my understanding on the subject. In addition team work experience helped me to understand my strengths and weakness in a team.

Reference List

Environment Australia, 1999, Emission estimation technique manual for nickel concentrating, smelting, and refining: National Pollutant Inventory, 65 p. http://www.npi.gov.au/handbooks/approved_handbooks/pubs/fnickel. (Accessed Might 20, 2014. ) Hine, A. (2000). Mirroring effective education though mentoring, metacognition and self reflection. Paper presented to Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, Sydney. http://www.aare.edu.au/00pap/hin00017.html. (Retrieved May 21, 2014) How is nickel ore processed in Perth, Australia. (n. d. ). – Gold Ore Crusher. http://www.goldorecrusher.com/mining-knowledge/how-is-nickel-ore-processed-in-perth-australia. (Retrieved May 21, 2014. )

Example #2: Microwave Organic Synthesis

Name: Institution: Microwave Organic Synthesis Abstract

For the past few decades, Electromagnetic microwave radiation has been trusted to provide heat for the formation of organics. The technology uses two main basic mechanisms; conduction and dipolar polarization. The technique provides a simple, fast, efficient and probably the most economical method of synthesizing organic molecules, which includes seen chemists shift from the traditional heating methods. This short article focuses on the generation of a microwave, as well as its importance in organic synthesis.

Introduction

A microwave is really a form of electromagnetic energy. The usage of microwave assisted organic synthesis technique has made the building of small molecules fast, rendering it a valuable tool that accelerates the discovery and development of drugs. Unlike other styles of radiation such as gamma and X-rays, microwave energy does not alter the compound’s molecular structure because of its nonionizing thermal activation. The heating effect is really as a result of dielectric polarization of the molecules. When the molecules are irradiated with microwaves, they get aligned with the applied electric field. The electric field keeps on changing rapidly, forcing the particles to realign constantly with the changing field, and in the process, energy is absorbed. The dielectric constant determines the ability of a compound to convert the microwave energy in to heat energy. The higher the dielectric constant, the rapid the heating process (E. Karthikeyan, 2011).

Microwave Heating

Microwave heating uses the electromagnetic transformation ability of some solids and liquids that transform rays into heat that drives the chemical reactions. This system is important for reactions that aren't suitable for the traditional heating. Features of Microwave heating over the old-fashioned heating:

• Increased speed
• High efficiency
• Reduced side reactions
• High purity in the final product
• Improved reproducibility
• Reduced heat loss to the environment
• Reduced wastage of the reaction vessel
• Green Technologies

Solvents that are utilized in chemical synthesis are environmentally unfriendly once they are disposed. The microwave irradiation technology has over come this problem considering that the technique enables performing of reactions with no use of solvents. In conjunction with mineral-supported catalyzed reactions, the microwave irradiation has provided a clean chemical process with several advantages.

Dry media Reactions

There's been increased campaign for usage of environmentally friendly reagents and procedures. The microwave heating completes various reactions under solvent-free conditions on solid supports.

Microwave Synthesis

Microwave heating of organic compounds ha s eliminated the employment fire in synthetic chemistry that has generated ‘dry media’ reactions. The technology has additionally been exploited other related fields such as for instance synthesis of polymers, biochemical processes, nanotechnology and material science.

Microwave Synthesis on Solid Supports

Microwave heating is employed in performing ‘dry media’ reactions on solid supports. This is demonstrated in transformations such as condensation, protection, de-protection, oxidation and reduction reactions. A variety of industrial compounds and intermediates have decided by this clean, solvent-free approach. The organic compounds in these reactions absorb microwaves, and the solid support restricts their transmission (E. Karthikeyan, 2011).

Other Applications

Industrial applications of microwave heating process include; drying of pharmaceutical powders, pasteurization of foods, preparation of hydrogen cyanide and chlorination plants. Other exploitations of the of microwave heating include creation of improved crystallinity in intercalation compounds, production of organometallic compounds and polymer curing (E. Karthikeyan, 2011).

Example #3: Summary of this article “Preparation and Characterization of Ceria Nanospheres by Microwave-Hydrothermal Method”

Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation

Summary of this article “Preparation and Characterization of Ceria Nanospheres by Microwave-Hydrothermal Method”

Inside their experimental research “Preparation and characterization of ceria nanospheres by microwave-hydrothermal method, ” Santos and his colleagues (Santos et al., 2008) outline the microwave-hydrothermal method that enables the forming of cerium compounds at faster rates and at paid off temperatures. In line with the authors, a nanocrystalline CeO2 powder is employed as nanomaterial in catalysts, optical devices, polishing materials, and oxygen sensors, among other applications (Santos et al., 2008). In addition , they assert other methods have now been developed for the synthesis of the ultra-fine CeO2 powder, and so they include co-precipitation, organometallic decomposition, conventional hydrothermal, flow method, and their newly developed microwave-hydrothermal practices. In their method, they have used ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6, and a surfactant (PEG) to synthesize ultra-fine CeO2. CeO2 powder produced by microwave-hydrothermal method has narrow size distribution with a uniform spherical morphology.

Experimental

In this method, they dissolved (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 and PEG in water, then added NH4OH until a pH 9 was obtained. The resultant solution transferred in to an autoclave and heated in a domestic microwave at 130oC for 20 minutes. The CeO2 powder obtained was washed with deionized water and subsequently dried at 80oC. The dried powder was further treated by calcination at 500oC at different periods of 1, 2, and 4h. The fully treated particles were analyzed by X-ray powder because of its characteristics. They used Scherrer equation (d=kλ/βcosθ) to determine the crystallite size of CeO2. The morphology of CeO2 particles was seen as a field-emission gun (FEG/STEM mode). A Netzsch-409 STA was used to investigate TG-DTA. They further used a Bruker Equinox-55 instrument to record the FT-IR spectra. Additionally , Roman spectra were recorded with Bruker RFS-100/S Raman spectrometer. In addition they used YAG laser concerning provide excitation for the experiment with its power maintains at 150 mW.

Results and discussions

The curves in Fig. 1 show the TG-DTA analyses of ceria powder. TG curves show a fat loss of about 11 %, which will show hydration has brought place. The mass loss is as a direct result decomposition of Ce(OH)3 (9. 95%) or Ce(OH)4/CeO2. 2H2O (17. 3%), which leads to partial hydration of ceria phases. Only 90% of weight loss does occur at 500oC. However , 650oC may be required for a complete dehydration. Additionally , DTA curve indicates an endothermic fat loss at 86oC. The endothermic weight loss could be because of water absorbed by ceria powder. An exothermic peak between 270-350oC correlates to weight loss as a result of crystallization of an amorphous phase. Fig. 2 shows the traits of calcined ceria powder. The patterns were uniform across all conditions in the experiment. The peaks in the figure really are a pure cubicflourite structure of CeO2. Furthermore, the intensive diffraction peak is at 2θ=28. 660° via [111] lattice plane of fcc CeO2. The ceria powders are of smaller sizes as indicated by the broadening of the peaks. Following the calcination, XRD peaks became sharper eventually while FWHM reduced; an illustration the calcination process accelerates the crystallinity of CeO2. According to them, the calcination temperature further affects crystalline sizes of ceria powder. The authors agreed that after all conditions for synthesis of CeO2 are met, particle agglomeration due to van der Waal’s forces contributes to the formation of ultra-fine CeO2 particles.

Fig. 4 provides Raman and FTIR spectral characteristics of CeO2 powder sample. In line with the authors, the high intense band noticed in the sample corresponds to the oxygen-hydrogen and hydrogen bonds in the water molecules within the crystals. The presence of residual water and the hydroxyl group don't depend on the synthesis method. As a result, they've been present in any ceria powder and expunged by heat application treatment. Furthermore, the synthesis of hydrated ceria powder (CeO2. nH2O) involves the formation of complexes through the hydroxylation and deprotonation of metal ions.

Conclusions

In conclusions, the authors report a simple microwave-hydrothermal method to synthesize a pure CeO2 at 130oC for 20 minutes. They also figured the methods not just save time and apply low temperature, but it also enables the get a handle on of morphological and structural properties. Additionally they confirmed the material can be utilized as nanomaterial in several fields such as catalyst and electrical materials.

Santos, M. L. D. et al. (2008). Preparation and characterization of ceria nanospheres by microwave-hydrothermal method. Materials Letters, 60, 4509-4511. doi: 10. 1016/j. matlet. 2008. 08. 011

Example #4: Summary, Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for microwave-induced rapid catalytic decplorization of congo red dye.

Zuas, O., Budiman H. and Hamin, N. originally published in High level Material Letters 2013 ( 4 (0) pp 662-667

This informative article is concerned with the problem of finding types of rapidly removing dye from waste water on an industrial scale.

This article begins by describing the experiment setup by researchers in the Indonesian Institute of Science when seeking a solution to the global problem among industrialised nations, and in particular among companies who use dyes such as congo red within their industrial processes and who then have to remove this dye in the most suitable way possible, and taking into account that needs to be achieved before the dye is released into the nearby water sources, where its presence is indeed harmful.

During the time of this experiment the removal of industrial dye from waste water was already possible using catalytic oxidation practices, as these researchers concede, citing six instances where this was attempted. The thinking behind this particular research was that it seemed likely that by combining methods already in use with microwave technology the results might be improved.

An experiment was designed after which set up by these researchers in which the synthesis of nanoparticles was achieved using co-precipitation and then calcining for 4 hours at 500C. Resulting data showed well-formed crystals with a top degree of purity. The crystals were then tested for decolorization of the dye by using microwave irradiation. After having a short time the outcome were that in 90. 63 rate of efficiency the dye was decolorised under particular conditions as specified in the article. The researchers were concerned with the main concentration of the particular dye, the amount of time and the dosage of the catalysts. It absolutely was felt by the researchers that since the catalytic effect was obvious it must certanly be that when the ZnO nanoparticles met the microwave technology this produced a synergistic effect in decolorizing the dye with a high degradation rate achieved quite rapidly. This would signify such technology is usable as an alternative method when wanting to remove industrial dyes from waste water, and so working with relative ease with a world-wide problem, in that water is being polluted by the use of dyes in industry. This isn’t just about the coloring of water, nevertheless the fact that when these dyes are present it's a negative effect upon aquatic ecosystems, the human populations which are based upon them. There was therefore a need to alleviate this problem, preferably in a way that is straightforward to set up, and which is both effective and cost efficient. There's also the fact that the industrial organizations involved have a responsibility to the wider world, and in this instance in particular to those who utilise the water into which their used dye materials are dispersed, whether as who count on the water, but also to the many kinds of life within the water which might be adversely affected if dyes exist in quantity.

Therefore a number of attempts, cited by these authors, have attemptedto find viable solutions to this global issue of the industrial age. The authors describe in detail specific things like the reagents used; the formation of ZnO nano-particles; the characterization of the synthesized ZnO nan-particles and the catalytic evaluation of the synthesized ZnO nano-particles. The article described a number of other techniques which have been tried to achieve similar results. Included in these are catalytic wet oxidation using modified Y zeolite as a catalyst, as described by Kondru et al in 2009. Also mentioned is photo catalysis, as described by Erdemoglu et al in 2008 and sonocatalysis as described by Wang et al (2008), in addition to methods like the biological ones, using fungi to eliminate these dyes in waste water. ( Battacharya et al, 2011). If left alone the dyes undergo biological changes when in a watery environment and this includes using up oxygen dissolved in the water, so decreasing the degrees of dissolved oxygen and depriving creatures which may use this oxygen, so reducing numbers and types of biodiversity in particular surroundings. The fact that so many other attempts have been designed to come up with a viable solution to the issue of dye polluting the water supply after industrial usage suggests not only the wide spread issues caused to the water systems, but additionally that those methods already tried were non-e of these completely effective.

The outcome of their particular experiment using microwaves are described in great detail, including things like the diffraction peaks of the crystals created; the evaluation of the microwaves of the synthesized ZnO nano-particles; the consequence of the first concentration of the congo red dye used and the effect of the ZnO dosages used followed by the results of various times tried, so this was a very complex experiment, or rather a number of similar experiments with numerous possible variables and so a number of results. So they really were comparing the decolorization under several different treatment processes.

The authors concluded, having completed all these experiments and having carefully evaluated the results, that the experiments showed that the use of microwave technology was linked to an activity whereby the usage of synthesized ZnO nano-particles was enhanced when used in aqueous solutions to remove congo red dye. They see this as a potentially possible method to ease the pollution caused by today's practice of releasing industrial dyes in to the water supply as contaminated waste water. It also gives one more selection of possible treatment available to environmentalists as they seek to combat the adverse results of industrialisation upon aquatic environments in a number of situations all over the world.

Battacharya, S. Das, A., Mangai, G., Vignesh, K. and Sangeetha, J., ( 2011) Micoremediation of Congo Red Dye by Filamentous Fungi, Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 42 (4) p 1526 Erdemoglu, S., Asku, S., Sayilkan, S., Izbi, B., Astilturk, M., Sayilkan, H., Frimmel, F. and Gucer, S., (2008), Journal of Hazardous Material 155 (3) page 469 Kondru, A., Kumar, P., Chand, S, ( 2009) Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of azo dye (Congo red) using modified Y zeolite as catalyst, Journal of Hazardous Material, 166 ( 1) 342 – 347 Wang, J., Jiang, Y., Zhang, Z., Zhao, S., Zhang. G., Ma, T. and Sun W., ( 2007) Investigation on the sonocatalytic degradation of congo red as catalysed by nanometer rutile TiO2 powder and various influencing factors, Desalination, 216 p 196- 208

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Extended essay in chemistry

The following is an overview of the extended essay guidelines for chemistry (IBO documents)

An extended essay in chemistry provides students with an opportunity to investigate a particular aspect of the materials of our environment. Such extended essays must be characterized by a particular chemical emphasis within a more general set of research criteria.

The outcome of the research should be a coherent and structured piece of writing that effectively addresses a particular issue or research question and arrives at a particular, and preferably personal, conclusion.

Choice of topic

It is important that the extended essay has a clear chemical emphasis and is not more closely related to another subject. Chemistry is the science that deals with the composition, characterization and transformation of substances. A chemistry extended essay should, therefore, incorporate chemical principles and theory, and emphasize the essential nature of chemistry, relating to the study of matter and of the changes it undergoes.

Although the same assessment criteria apply to all extended essays, for an extended essay submitted in chemistry the topic chosen must allow an approach that distinctly involves chemistry. Where a topic might be approached from different viewpoints, the treatment of the material must be approached from a chemistry perspective. For example, an extended essay in an interdisciplinary area such as biochemistry will, if registered as a chemistry extended essay, be judged on its chemical content, not its biological content.

The scope of the topic and the research associated with it should enable all the criteria to be addressed. A good topic is one where the single research question is sharply focused and can be treated effectively within the word limit. Perhaps the most important factor is the depth of treatment that can be given to the topic by the student. Broad or complex survey topics (for example, investigations into health problems caused by water pollution, chemotherapy for cancer treatment or the use of spectroscopy in chemical analysis) will not permit the student to discuss conflicting ideas and theories, nor to produce an in-depth personal analysis within the word limit.

Some topics may be unsuitable for investigation because of safety issues. For example, experiments involving toxic or dangerous chemicals, carcinogenic substances or radioactive materials should be avoided unless adequate safety apparatus and qualified supervision are available.

Other topics may be unsuitable because the outcome is already well known and documented in standard textbooks, and the student may not be able to show any personal input. An example might be a study of the reactions of the alkali metals with water as this is already covered by the syllabus. However, some care does need to be exercised in deciding whether a topic is suitable or not; for example, previously, the study of the allotropes of carbon might have been thought to be trivial but this would not be the case today.

Example essay titles

The following examples of titles for chemistry extended essays are intended as guidance only. The pairings illustrate that focused topics (indicated by the first title) should be encouraged rather than broad topics (indicated by the second title).

“The ratio of the gases evolved at the positive electrode during the electrolysis of common salt solution” is better than “Electrolysis of solutions”.

“Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of lead in drinking water” is better than “Water analysis”.

“The effects of sugar-free chewing gum on the pH of saliva in the mouth after a meal” is better than “Acid–base chemistry”.

“How can the natural oxidant rutin be extracted and purified from the seed of the Chinese Scholartree?” is better than “Extraction of natural products from plants”.

Moreover, it may help if the student further defines and refines the topic chosen for study in the form of a research question or statement.

The ratio of the gases evolved at the positive electrode during the electrolysis of common salt solution

Research question

Is there a relationship between the concentration of aqueous sodium chloride solution and the ratio of the amounts of oxygen and chlorine gas that are evolved at the positive electrode during electrolysis.

The caffeine content of a cup of tea

Does the time it takes to brew a cup of tea using a specific commercial brand of tea leaves significantly alter the amount of caffeine that is dissolved in the drink?

Analysis of strawberry jellies by paper chromatography

The use of paper chromatography to determine whether strawberry jellies obtained from 24 different countries in 5 different continents all contain the same red dyes.

Treatment of the topic

An extended essay in chemistry may be based on literature, theoretical models or experimental data. Whichever category or combination of categories is chosen, the student should ensure that sufficient data is available for evaluation and that the topic can be researched accurately using locally available resources.

Students who choose to write an extended essay based on literature and/or surveys should ensure that their extended essay clearly shows its chemical basis. Essays written at the level of a newspaper or news magazine article are unlikely to achieve a high mark.

Since chemistry is an experimental science, students are strongly encouraged to undertake experimental work as part of their research, although this is not compulsory. In order to place their research into the appropriate context, students should research the area of the investigation before commencing any experimental work. Where possible, they should consult original research using scientific journals, personal communications and the internet. Textbooks should never be the only source of information.

All essays involving experimental work undertaken by the student should include a clear and concise description of the experimental work. Students should indicate clearly whether they have personally designed the experiment, or give the source of an existing experiment method that they have used and state how they have adapted and improved upon it. All essays must be supervised by a school supervisor.

Many of the best essays are written by students investigating relatively simple phenomena using apparatus and materials that can be found in most school laboratories, and this approach is to be encouraged. If the practical work is carried out in an industrial or university laboratory, the essay should be accompanied by a letter from the external supervisor outlining the nature of the supervision and the level of guidance provided. The school supervisor must be satisfied that the work described in the essay is genuine and essentially that of the student.

Data collected from an experiment designed by the student is of little value unless it is analysed using appropriate scientific techniques, evaluated and perhaps compared with appropriate models.

It is possible to produce an extended essay in chemistry in which the student has used data collected elsewhere as the primary source. In such cases, the element of personal analysis and evaluation is extremely important.

In any chemistry extended essay, students should be able to demonstrate that they understand the theory underlying any experimental work and state any assumptions made. They should show an understanding of the results obtained and be able to interpret them with reference to the research question posed. They should be critical of inadequate experimental design, the limitations of the experimental method and any systematic errors.

Students should be encouraged to consider unresolved questions in their research, and to suggest new questions and areas for further investigation in their conclusion. Throughout the whole of the essay, students should emphasize clearly their own personal contribution.

Interpreting the assessment criteria

Criterion A: research question

Many research questions can be formulated as an actual question or questions. A typical example is: “What gas is evolved when zinc is added to copper (II) sulfate solution and what factors affect its formation?”. However, in chemistry extended essays it is perfectly reasonable to formulate the research question as a statement or as a hypothesis rather than an actual question. “An analysis of the amount of aluminium in three different brands of underarm deodorant by visible spectroscopy” and “The kinetics of oxidation of iodide ions with hydrogen peroxide in acidic solutions” are two such examples where a statement rather than a question is appropriate. Whichever way it is formulated, it should be identified clearly as the research question and set out prominently in the introduction.

Criterion B: introduction

The purpose of the introduction is to set the research question into context, that is, to relate the research question to existing knowledge in chemistry. It is usually appropriate to include also the underlying chemical theory required to understand how the research question has arisen. Some research questions require some background knowledge that is not related to chemistry—for example, “Do the fossils found in different strata of rocks at a particular location contain different amounts of sulfur?” . For the essay to make sense, it would be important to state the ages of the rocks and give some geological background. In such cases, only the essential non-chemistry information should be provided in the introduction, as the essay will be marked on its chemical content. If it is necessary to include more non-chemistry (for example, geological) information, then the appropriate place for it is the appendix.

Criterion C: investigation

The way in which the investigation is undertaken will depend very much on whether or not the essay contains experimental work performed by the student. For non-experimental essays, students should endeavour to show clearly how the data has been selected. They should distinguish between primary sources (original scientific publications, personal communications, interviews) and secondary sources (textbooks, newspaper articles, reviews), and show awareness of how reliable these sources are. For experimental work, sufficient information should be provided so that the work could be repeated if necessary by an independent worker. Students should make it clear which experiments they have designed themselves and which they have altered, adapted or improved from existing methods.

Criterion D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied

Students should show that they understand fully the underlying chemistry behind the context of their research question and their subsequent investigation. They are not expected to explain basic chemistry forming part of the Diploma Programme chemistry course, but they are expected to show that they fully understand the relevant principles and ideas and can apply them correctly. They should also demonstrate that they understand the theory behind any techniques or apparatus used.

Criterion E: reasoned argument

Students should be aware of the need to give their essays the backbone of a developing argument. A good argument in chemistry will almost certainly include consideration and comparison of different approaches and methods directly relevant to the research question. Straightforward descriptive or narrative accounts that lack analysis do not usually advance an argument and should be avoided.

Criterion F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject

A thorough understanding of the reliability of all data used to support the argument should be shown. Inadequate experimental design or any systematic errors should be exposed. The magnitude of uncertainties in physical data should be evaluated and discussed. Approximations in models should be accounted for and all assumptions examined thoroughly. Where possible, the quality of sources accessed or data generated should be verified by secondary sources or by direct calculations.

Criterion G: use of language appropriate to the subject

Correct chemical terminology and nomenclature should be used consistently and effectively throughout the extended essay. Relevant chemical formulas (including structural formulas), balanced equations (including state symbols) and mechanisms should be included. The correct units for physical quantities must always be given and the proper use of significant figures is expected.

Criterion H: conclusion

The conclusion must be consistent with the argument presented and should not merely repeat material in the introduction or introduce new or extraneous points to the argument. In chemistry, it is almost always pertinent to consider unresolved questions and to suggest areas for further investigation.

Criterion I: formal presentation

This criterion relates to the extent to which the essay conforms to academic standards about the way in which research papers should be presented. The presentation of essays that omit a bibliography or that do not give references is deemed unacceptable (level 0). Essays that omit one of the required elements—title page, table of contents, page numbers—are deemed no better than satisfactory (maximum level 2), while essays that omit two of them are deemed poor at best (maximum level 1).

The essay must not exceed 4,000 words of narrative. Graphs, figures, calculations, diagrams, formulas and equations are not included in the word count. For experiments where numerical results are calculated from data obtained by changing one of the variables, it is generally good practice to show one example of the calculation. The remainder can be displayed in tabular or graphical form.

Criterion J: abstract

The abstract is judged on the clarity with which it presents an overview of the research and the essay, not on the quality of the research question itself, nor on the quality of the argument or the conclusions.

Criterion K: holistic judgment

Qualities that are rewarded under this criterion include the following.

Intellectual initiative: Ways of demonstrating this in chemistry essays include the choice of topic and research question, and the use of novel or innovative approaches to address the research question.

Insight and depth of understanding: These are most likely to be demonstrated as a consequence of detailed research and thorough reflection, and by a well-informed and reasoned argument that consistently and effectively addresses the research question.

Originality and creativity: These will be apparent by clear evidence of a personal approach backed up by solid research and reasoning.

The assessment criteria

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IB Chemistry IA Guide: Format, Topics, Rubric, And Assessment

by  Antony W

October 20, 2022

For most students, the IB Chemistry IA (Internal Assessment) assignment lurks on the path to academic success like a sphinx with an impossible riddle. The analogy is quite right too, given that the assignments take up a hefty 20% of your total marks in the coursework.

If you are reading this, you are likely confused by the guesswork that surrounds the entire exam. Luckily for you, we at Help for Assessments are old hands at chemistry assignments including IB internal assessments. We will guide you through the process as we debunk the 'nightmare' that is a chemistry IA to make sure you ace it.

If you would love a little more practical help than this detailed guide, our team of experts is at your disposal to carry out your chemistry IA with polished skill. As a multi-faceted team, we are experts in every form of academic writing assignments and projects. Don't be shy, check out our range of services  and order your very own writing expert today.

If you still want to proceed, its time you put your apprehension away as we take a practical look into how you can pass the chemistry IA.

This guide will explore the sections and format of a chemistry IA, a look into the marking criteria used, and suggestions at every point to help show you what is expected of you.

What is a Chemistry IA

The IB chemistry IA is an investigative essay that seeks to explain the chemistry behind common real-world phenomena. It seeks to assess your grasp of chemistry up to the level achieved in your coursework through practical application of the skills gained.

Unlike regular test which many students cram their way through, the chemistry IA needs a high level of independent skill, research work, and personal effort to complete.

Coupled with all the other stressful assignments in other subjects, the chemistry IA sometimes feels like an insurmountable problem partly because of the sheer amount of guesswork.

The assignment seeks to develop independent thinking and creative application of concepts learned to the real world. If you can do this successfully, you will earn top marks in the assignment. The first task you have with the chemistry internal assignment is choosing an appropriate topic.

Choosing a Topic for Your Chemistry IA

The first consideration you should take into account when choosing a topic for the IB chemistry IA is that it should be personal. That means it should be one that interests you personally, adapted to your particular cause, and related with a personal touch throughout the text.

To achieve full marks, your topic and essay must meet the conditions set out by the descriptors on IB’s chem page .

However, in the search for authenticity and originality, many students get themselves in a rut trying to invent procedures and experiments. Notice that the paper is looking for independent thinking, creativeness, and initiative.

The best way to achieve these criteria without knocking your brains out is to adapt existing experiments, procedures, or other ideas to your investigation. What you need to showcase is authentic inspiration and highly personalized methods, which you can easily do by adapting existing ones.

Let's say, for example, that you want to investigate the calories in the food you eat. Of course, that is a washed-out idea. How about you give it a new twist and investigate how cooking Ideal Protein packs affects their calorie content? This is something you can do easily with a calorimeter in the lab.

For those who don’t know, Ideal Protein is a popular, albeit shady, weight loss program when dieters substitute daily food for prepackaged ultra-refined protein packets. If you have ever tried it, you can tie it to the investigation to show innovation and inspiration.

The same goes for other common chemistry experiments you will find online, in books, journals, magazines, and other common sources.

With a topic in hand, it's time to plan the investigation and structure it accordingly.

Chemistry IA Format

You will be carrying out the IA assignment in stages, but very little of it will be actual lab work. Most of the work is in the research involved and crafting the actual write up.

So, while we are confident you can handle the actual experimentation (your instructor will be more than glad to help), let us show you how to structure the write up.

There will be seven important parts of the write up, which for the sake of simplicity we will keep calling an essay. The image below will give you a rough idea of how each section appears, but we shall also take a more in-depth look into some of the parts.

Parts of a Chemistry IA

The following image shows a sample structure of a chemistry IA. Please note that it is strictly for guidance only; in no way is it to be taken as a must-use format. Your instructor will usually provide exhaustive instructions in this regard.

Introduction

Your introduction is meant to tell your reader why they should keep reading. Here, give in very brief detail what your experiment is about, why you chose it, and stress your personal connection to the subject matter. You first person ‘I’ or ‘We’ pronouns to achieve this.

a) Background

As part of the Introduction, the background is meant to enhance the reader’s understanding of the context of your investigation. Include a general review of the science behind the concept, backed by facts and evidence.

You can also include the equations and mathematical formulas that you will be using in the assignment.

b) Hypothesis

The hypothesis is meant to be a justification for the choice of science concepts you use to explain the claim under investigation.

More technically, it should be a specific prediction about the outcome of your experiment or how the dependent variable will change with the independent one.

For example, with our example, our hypothesis might be:

“Using calorimeters to find out whether Ideal Protein packs change in calorie content value upon cooking in various ways.”

In any other discipline, this section would probably be called ‘methodology’ or ‘procedure.’ This is the part where you tell, in complete detail, how you carry out your experiment.

a) Research Question

The design part starts with a research question in the form ‘how is x dependent on Y?’ It should be a highly specific question outlining the variance you are investigating, stated without any ambiguity.

b) Variables

Outline fully what your variables are, outlining the three types:

• Independent variables - the factor you manipulate and set parameters for.
• Dependent variable - the variable you want to determine by measuring or calculating.
• Controlled variable - other variables or factors that influence the outcome and which should either be controlled or taken into consideration in the outcome.

As part of the design, the method or procedure is a detailed explanation of how you carried out the experiment or tests required to measure the variables. No matter how strong the temptation is, do not take this section off a chemistry book or lap report.

Most students trip on this section because they forget the procedure is supposed to be specially adapted and personalized for this assessment.

If you were choosing a reagent, state why you chose it. If you are choosing a flask, show the reasoning behind your choice. For example, 'use a glass stirring rod instead of a metallic one to prevent reaction with the reagent …'

It is also a good idea to include a diagram of your setup and describe any modifications you had to improvise. A picture will also do.

a) Raw Data

Record your data as soon as you collect it. This is usually done in tables where you can compare the variables easily and fill in the gaps quickly. You need to collect both quantitative (measured, e.g. 10g of residue) and qualitative data (observed, e.g. color change, bubbles).

Report every measured value and include every field on the same table where possible. If any of the data values don't match, you can enter it in different fields.

b) Analysis

Use your measured data to calculate totals, averages, correlations, among others. Draw graphs and charts as needed. Be sure to show the entirety of your working including the formulas you used. Note any uncertainties and margins of error expected.

If you have an accepted value for that kind of experiment, compare the two and see how close they come to each other. If you have graphs, make them appealing, give them names, and name them accordingly.

The conclusion should be a rewording of your research question to give an answer based on the trend observed and proved by your results. The conclusion is a three-part section that also includes:

a) Evaluation

The evaluation is a critical review of your methods and how well the procedure you chose worked to your benefit (or not). If there are any discordant data/outlier points, discuss them here.

b) Improvements

Suggest any improvements or changes you would make if you were to repeat the experiment. What would you advise anyone else using the same procedure for the experiment? Do you have any suggestions to make it better?

Marking Criteria for Your Chemistry IA

By now, you can tell that personal engagement is a pretty big deal in your chemistry IA, but it is not the only one.

Markers will rely on several other criteria to grade your work, including:

1. Exploration

Exploration is a measure of how well you establish a scientific context for the project. It measures how well focused and grounded your research question is, as well as your awareness and knowledge of safety, environmental, and ethical concerns involved, if any.

2. Methodology

This criterion measures how clearly and thoroughly you set out your procedure. You should have at least 5 variations or manipulations of the independent variable and 3 trials for each.

You should collect as many significant data points as possible, set out any safety procedures taken, and qualify each choice of equipment and supplies. 

3. Analysis 

This metric measures your data collection, organizational, and presentation skills. All calculations must be shown clearly, formulas displayed, and all qualitative and quantitative data recorded.

4. Evaluation 

This metric contributes 6 marks to the total 20 and assesses how well the results obtained serve to prove/disprove your research question in the accepted context.

You also get points for suggesting useful improvements, noting and owning up to any weakness of the methodology, and describing the strength of the correlation between the results and the hypothesis. 

5. Communication

This criterion is a measure of how clearly and effectively you presented yourself in the essay.

6. Personal Engagement

As discussed, you will need to completely own the entire project from start to finish. Choose every word with care, especially if you use textbook sources along the way. Cite each of these appropriately because, needless to say, plagiarism is a capital crime in the assessment.

Need Help With Your Chemistry IA Assignment?

Many students are tempted to rush through with the assignment to be ‘over and done with’ it. However, such IB assessments are tricky because they test not only the outcomes, but also the process, the student’s state of mind, and the overall circumstances surrounding the assessment.

If you truly want to be 'over and done with' the assignment, the only way to do it is to be diligent and do it as meticulously as you can. However, you can also hand over the entire problem to chemistry internal assessment experts at Help for Assessments to write it for you.

With years of experience and skill in the market, we will take the burden off your hands and do the entire assessment for you in record time and at the lowest prices. If you want to experience total peace of mind, order our stellar services here. We are here for you, always.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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How To Write Chemistry Essay

Table of Contents

Chemistry Essay Writing Guide

• Outline example
• Tips on introduction writing
• Tips on body paragraph writing
• Tips on conclusion writing

Science has helped the world to decipher and answer some of the hardest questions about the universe and our bodies as well. Currently, researchers are conducting different studies on various scientific topics, and the expectation is that more knowledge will be generated. However, when asked to write analytical reports, research papers, or lab reports, some scientists find themselves struggling to express their ideas on paper. Chemistry students, for example, help to solve some of the most difficult problems that the world faces today. However, when asked to write a chemistry essay, some students find it difficult to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and in a coherent manner. Chemistry papers need to have a main point or argument or simply be specific in what it is trying to discuss or decipher. Students should hence ensure that their essay is specific and narrow, not as general as some of the others.

Chemistry papers are written for different reasons. Some are written to help explain or expound on a concept, others are written to communicate some results while there are some that are solely written for purposes of explaining the processes involved in research. If written as a research paper, a chemistry essay should articulate and make use of the basic scientific structures and formats of writing chemistry essays. Students should hence be conversant with different scientific formats like APA, MLA, and Harvard mainly for referencing purposes. Scientific papers such as chemistry essays follow specific formats and must be cited unless otherwise stated by the instructor.

Outline for a chemistry essay

Writing a chemistry essay outline is essential because it gifts one with a focused guide to completing the paper. In an outline, writers are expected to include their main point as well as some of the supporting arguments that they will include in the body of their essay. Chemistry essay outlining is similar to what is done in other essays and should hence be an easy task. If, for example, students have been asked to write an essay about the element silicon, the outline for such an essay would be as shown below:

Introduction

• Background information about silicon.
• Briefly, mention its importance in the mainstream world.
• The basic structure of silicon as an element. Some of its attributes should also be included.
• The role of silicon in construction and architecture.
• The use of silicon in the automobile industry.
• Reiterate the role of silicon in society today.
• Provide a summary of the main points, for example, the main uses of silicon.
• Finalize by mentioning how much silicon is a part of people’s lives today.

Writing an Introduction

Writing a chemistry essay introduction can be challenging regardless of how much research one has done.

Below are some introduction writing tips:

• Include factual information in the introduction.
• Provide background data regarding the topic under study. Include information that will make the essay comprehensible.
• Always look for an angle and be consistent in addressing it.
• Have a non-ambiguous thesis statement that is direct and clearly outlines the author’s stance.

Writing a Body

The body of a chemistry paper or essay needs to support the writer’s arguments or provide details of an experiment or an investigation.

Below are some tips to help writers deliver quality papers:

• Ensure that each paragraph has a topic sentence. A topic sentence bears the main point or argument presented in a paragraph.
• The other sentences should offer support to the topic sentence. Writers should not drift away from the main argument that a paragraph presents.
• Consistency throughout the paragraph should be enhanced.
• Writers should sufficiently reference their work. In-text citations should always be included throughout the article.
• Each paragraph should have five to six sentences like other essays and in these, students should ensure that they exhaustively explain their topic.
• Transition words, for example, firstly, secondly, additionally, subsequently, etc. should be used to indicate to the readers that the writer is on a different point.

Writing a Conclusion

How to conclude a chemistry essay is a challenge mainly because chemistry essays do not abide by the same rules for writing conclusions. On many occasions, students are expected to assess their hypothesis and determine its accuracy or draw any conclusions from the data that they gathered. However, if the essay did not involve any investigation or study, one can just include a summary of the main points and then relate the topic to what is happening in society today.

Sources for Essay Choice

Online sources are often preferred by students because they are easily accessible and offer simple and straightforward choices. While it is not against any law or rule to source essays online, teachers often advise students to situate what they learn in class to the activities in society. The latter offers one with choices that are audience friendly and that directly resonate with daily life. It also helps people to apply the knowledge they acquired from class to society’s day-to-day problems. However, if one wants to use online sources, below is a good example of a website that can offer one some credible essay choices.

Finalizing Essay

Students are often advised always to begin with a draft before they write a final copy. Having a draft is important and gifts one with the chance of making changes to their essay whenever they feel the need to. The chemistry essay draft will indeed come in handy and gift students with the chance of revising their work. Revisions are important. Once the essay is completed or the draft is completed, it is always necessary to review it and make any changes or corrections before submitting it. Revision and proofreading are necessary and help to ensure that an essay is consistent in focus and is free of any grammatical errors.

Graduate School Personal Statement

Criteria for success.

• Your personal statement convinces a faculty committee that you are qualified for their program.
• It convinces them that you a good fit for their program’s focus and goals.
• You show a select group of skills and experiences that convey your scientific accomplishments and interests.
• Your experiences are concrete and quantitative.
• Your personal statement is no more than 3 pages.

Structure Diagram

The graduate school personal statement tells your story and demonstrates that you are a good match for a particular department or program. Matching goes both ways: they should be interested in you, and you should be interested in them. Your personal statement should make this match clear.

Analyze Your Audience

Your personal statement will be ready by a graduate committee, a handful of faculty from your program. They’re trying to determine if you will be a successful graduate student in their department, a positive force in the department’s intellectual life, and a successful scientist after you graduate. They are therefore interested in your qualifications as a researcher, your career goals, and how your personality matches their labs and department.

The graduate committee probably reads hundreds of applications a year. To make it easy for them to figure out that you are a good fit, make direct, concrete statements about your accomplishments and qualifications. To make it easy for them to remember you, create a narrative that “brands” you.

Create a personal narrative

PhD programs invest in the professional and scientific growth of their students. Get the committee excited about investing in you by opening your essay with a brief portrait of what drives you as a scientist. What research directions are you passionate about, and why? What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

Close your essay with a 2-3 sentence discussion of your career interests. No one will hold you to this; this just helps your committee visualize your potential trajectory.

Describe your experiences

Experiences are the “what” of your essay. What experiences led you to develop your skill set and passions? Where have you demonstrated accomplishment, leadership, and collaboration? Include research, teaching, and relevant extracurriculars. State concrete achievements and outcomes like awards, discoveries, or publications.

Quantify your experiences to show concrete impact. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? How many people were in competition for an award? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students?

Describe actions, not just changes in your internal mental or emotional state. A personal statement is a way to make a narrative out of your CV. It is not a diary entry.

Explain the meaning of your experiences

Meaning is the “why” or “so what” of the document. Why was this experience important to your growth as a scientist? What does it say about your abilities and potential? It feels obvious to you, but you need to be explicit with your audience. Your descriptions of meaning should also act as transition statements between experiences: try to “wrap” meaning around your experiences.

Demonstrate match to your target program

Demonstrate an understanding of the program to which you’re applying and about how you will be successful in that program. To do this:

• Read the program’s website. See what language they use to describe themselves, and echo that language in your essay. For example, MIT Chemical Engineering’s website points out innovative research areas and interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Get in contact with faculty (or students) in your target program. If you have had a positive discussion with someone at the department, describe how those interactions made you think that you and the department may be well-matched.
• State which professors in the program you would be interested in working with. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects.

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

These 2021 short answer responses are from an MIT ChemE graduate student’s successful application to the MIT ChemE program. 237 KB

Annotated Example 2

This is the personal statement from an MIT ChemE graduate student’s successful application to the MIT ChemE program. 121 KB

Annotated Example 3

This is the personal statement from an MIT ChemE graduate student’s successful application to the MIT ChemE program. 361 KB

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How to Write Essay About Chemistry

Chemistry, transcending the bounds of a mere topic, emerges as a comprehensive subject deeply rooted in the STEM field, where its intricate and often abstract concepts can pose substantial challenges to understanding. Students regularly encounter complex chemistry homework assignments that test their grasp of the subject, leading to difficulties that can be overwhelming. Recognizing these academic hurdles, PapersOwl extends its scope beyond the realm of essay writing to provide specialized assistance in chemistry homework . Our service is tailored to demystify the complexities of chemical reactions, molecular structures, and theoretical concepts, offering students the support and guidance they need. By leveraging our expertise, students can navigate the challenging aspects of chemistry with greater ease and confidence, ensuring they not only complete their homework but also deepen their understanding of this fundamental scientific discipline.

Composing an essay on chemistry requires a blend of scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process of writing a chemistry essay:

Understanding the Essay Topic

Begin by clearly understanding the specific aspect of chemistry you are tasked with exploring. Chemistry is a broad field that encompasses organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry. Determine the focus of your essay, whether it's discussing a chemical reaction, exploring a chemical theory, analyzing a laboratory experiment, or examining the impact of a chemical discovery.

Conducting Comprehensive Research

In-depth research forms the backbone of a good chemistry essay. Utilize credible sources such as scientific journals, chemistry textbooks, and authoritative online resources. Pay close attention to recent research findings, experiments, and theoretical developments in the field. Take detailed notes on relevant chemical processes, reactions, formulas, and experiments that align with your topic.

Developing a Clear Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement should succinctly present the main argument or objective of your essay. In chemistry, this could be an assertion about a chemical principle, the importance of a discovery, or the implications of a particular research finding. Ensure that your thesis is focused, specific, and directly related to the chemistry topic you are discussing.

Planning Your Essay Structure

Organize your essay in a logical and coherent manner. Start with an introduction that sets the context for your topic and presents your thesis statement. In the body, divide your main arguments or points into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect supported by scientific evidence. Conclude by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis in light of the discussion.

Writing the Essay

Use clear and precise language, and explain chemical terms and concepts for clarity. Chemistry essays often involve detailed descriptions of processes and reactions, so it's important to be accurate and thorough. Present your arguments logically, supported by data, experiments, and theoretical explanations. Be analytical and critical, particularly when discussing the implications or applications of chemical principles.

Incorporating Scientific Data and Examples

Chemistry essays may include scientific data, chemical formulas, and graphical representations. Ensure that all such elements are accurately presented and relevant to your argument. Use examples and case studies to illustrate your points, and explain how they support your thesis.

Citing Your Sources

Proper citation is crucial, especially when referring to experimental data, chemical properties, or theories developed by others. Use an appropriate citation style (like ACS, APA, or MLA) and consistently cite all your sources, including figures and diagrams.

Editing and Proofreading

Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas. Check for accuracy in your chemical descriptions and ensure that your analysis is thorough. Proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting issues. It's often helpful to have someone else read your essay, as they might catch errors or unclear sections you missed.

Writing an essay about chemistry involves understanding complex scientific concepts and effectively communicating them in a structured and insightful manner. By thoroughly researching your topic, organizing your essay logically, and presenting your arguments with precision and clarity, you can create a compelling chemistry essay that showcases your understanding and insights into this fascinating field.

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SHOULD I DO A CHEMISTRY EE?

• Doesn’t need to be too theoretical
• Not as much essay style writing
• Much more support from your supervisor
• Can be a lot of fun if you like practical work
• Background research is sometimes difficult to find
• Often can run into problems  with experiments
• Data collection can be long

The EE guide that has everything in it.

The IB’s full marking criteria including grade bands.

The Chemistry specific section of the guide.

• I didn’t get full marks, and I have no idea what I got in each criterion
• This EE is in electrochemistry so it may have no bearing on your EE
• I added an abstract which is no longer compulsory and barely anyone does but I needed it

MY EXPERIENCE

IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN CHEMISTRY, DON'T DO A CHEMISTRY EE

Somewhere along the way you’ll likely run into errors in calculations, theory or data. You need passion and determination to get through it.

IB Chemistry IA examples

Type a search phrase to find the most relevant Chemistry IA examples for you

Not sure what to search for? You can always look through our example Chemistry Internal Assessments below for inspiration.

All Chemistry IA Examples

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Starting from the May 2025 session, the Chemistry IA requirements have changed. We created a couple of exemplars to show you how the new IA should look like. It's OK to refer to the old Chemistry IA exemplars (since the new IA is quite similar) for inspiration/ideas, but make sure to follow the new requirements.

What is the effect of the temperature (30, 40, 50, 60, 70 °C) on the buffering capacity (mol/dm3) of phosphate buffer, as measured using titration with 0.1 mol/dm3 HCl?

What is the effect of boiling in 100°c and filtering using the carbon filter on the hardness of tap water (mol/dm3) as measured using edta complexometric titration, want to get full marks for your ia allow us to review it for you 🎯, how does the source of caffeine (lipton earl grey, lipton yellow label, remsey earl grey, milton earl grey classic) affect its content (in g), determined using the dcm-facilitated separation funnel technique, how does the pka value of certain weak acids present in food (2.85, 2.99, 3.13, 4.10, 4.76) affect the loss in mass of calcium carbonate (in grams, measured using an electronic balance, ±0.01 g), and how does the addition of sodium fluoride solution affect this reaction, keeping the concentration and temperature of the acid solutions and sodium fluoride solutions, the time taken for the reaction and the surface area of the calcium carbonate chips controlled, what is the effect of changing temperatures (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 °c) on the amount of iodine remaining in iodized salt (in grams) after exposure to heat during cooking, as measured by an iodometric titration, fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, how does changing the current [3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 a] in electrolysis affect the mass of products formed at the cathode in the electrolysis of copper and aluminium respectively, how does the distance from the city centre (1.3 km, 3.1 km, 4.1 km, 6 km, 7.1 km) affect the number of millimoles of the dissolved oxygen concentration in city ponds as measured by the winkler titration method, what is the effect of cooking temperature (10, 25, 40, 55, 70 °c) of ipomoea aquatica on its concentration of iron (ii) ions, as measured by the titration volume of 0.002m potassium permanganate solution required to completely oxidize iron (ii) ions in a solution of ipomoea aquatica after cooking it for 10 minutes, how effective are natural antacids such as cumin and fennel seeds in comparison to synthetic antacids containing calcium carbonate and simethicone in neutralizing excess hydrochloric acid using back titration, what effect does the temperature of the solution (k) have on the rate of decomposition (cm3 s -1) of carbonic acid (h2co3) to carbon dioxide (co2) and water (h2o) and therefore what is the activation energy (kjmol-1) of this reaction, to what extent does the activation energy of an iodine clock reaction change when catalyzed by copper (ii) sulfate (cuso4), how does the ph of a water sample affect its biological oxygen demand over a course of 5 days, using the winkler method, what is the correlation between electric current and the amount of mass that is electroplated, and, hence, is there an optimum current, how does the increase in temperature (30.0oc, 35.0oc, 40.0oc, 45.0oc, 50.0oc) of a solution of tetraborate (b4o5(oh)4) 2- (aq) effect the volume (cm3 ) of 0.100m hcl(aq) required to titrate it, and on the solubility equilibrium constant (ksp), using titration, what is the effect of changing the cooking temperature (25.0 °c, 55.0 °c, 70.0 °c, 85.0 °c, and 100.0 °c) on the amount of iron (fe2+) that leaches from spinacia oleracea, using a redox titration, how does temperature (at 25 oc – 65 oc with 10oc intervals) affect the equilibrium constant for the reversible reaction between tetrachlorocobalt(ii) [co(cl)4]2- and hexaaquacobalt(ii) [co(h2o)]2+, how does the varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide affect the initial and average redox reaction rate between sodium thiosulfate and hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline condition by measuring the change in ph using a ph meter, how significant is the variation in calcium content (mg) of milk depending on the stage of processing it has undergone (raw, pasteurized, or uht), as determined by the complexometric titration against edta, the effect of halogen electronegativity, number of halogen atoms, and distance from the acidic hydrogen on the pka of carboxylic acids., which is the optimal incubation temperature in between 2-35 ∞c for the oxidation of ethanol in order to figure out the concentration of ethanol in albani odense classic beers by performing a redox back titration with sodium thiosulfate and how does that value compare to the theoretical one, which appears in the beer can, how does temperature affect the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the common ionic surface active agent (surfactant) sodium dodecyl sulphate measured by using the change in the rate of conductivity as concentration is increased, what is the difference in activation energy (kjmol") between the uncatalyzed and iron (ii) sulfate (feso#) catalyzed oxidation of iodide ions by potassium iodate (kio$) in the iodate variation of the iodine clock reaction, determined by analyzing the rate of reaction at different temperatures (10.0°c, 20.0°c, 30.0°c, 40.0°c, 50.0°c)n, how does the temperature of high-calcium milk affect its calcium concentration (mg/cm3) as measured through a complexometric titration utilising eriochrome black t (ebt) indicator, how do different shelf lives (t = 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, 48 months) of common polish cooking oils: [flaxseed oil (lenvitol), sesame oil (diamond), canola oil (kujawski), olive oil (antico frantoio), coconut oil (enerbio)] affect their iodine value (𝐼𝑉 [𝑔] ∈ [12.39 ∪ 194.72] ± 1.3), measured by back-to-back titration of the oil sample dissolved in acetone (c3h6o, 99.5%) reacted by iodine solution (ki3, 0.050 𝑚𝑜𝑙 ∙ 𝑑𝑚−3) with sodium thiosulfate (na2s2o3, 0.100 𝑚𝑜𝑙 ∙ 𝑑𝑚−3) in the presence of a starch indicator under constant pressure 1013.00 hpa ± 0.13 hpa and in air temperature 20.00°c ± 0.05°c, how does the initial temperature of water (50.0°c, 60.0°c, 70.0°c, 80.0°c, 90.0°c, 100.0°c) in which two kombu varieties (s. japonica var. japonica and s. japonica var. ochotensis) are steeped affect its calcium content (in mg) in the prepared kombu-dashi, determined by complexometric titration with disodium edetate dihydrate 0.125 mol l-1 solution and eriochrome black t indicator, determining the optimal temperature for the fishes in my aquarium based on their oxygen need by using the winkler’s method., investigating the caffeine content (mg) in different brands of black tea (tetley black tea, american breakfast black tea, filiz black tea, & red label tea) using dichloromethane in a separating funnel, determine whether the dissociation constant (pka) of 3 weak acids, ethanoic acid, propanoic acid, and butanoic acid, changes at 7 different temperatures (303 k,308 k,313 k, 318k,323k, 328k, 333k), how does increasing the temperature of a 0.01m naoh solution affect the rate of hydrolysis of 0.01m acetylsalicylic acid as measured by the spectrophotometry of iron (iii) salicylate, how does the temperature of a 1.5m copper sulfate solution electrolyte (40oc, 50oc, 60oc, 70oc, 80oc) impact the mass of copper deposited after a set timeframe of 30 minutes of electrolysis with zinc electrodes, with reference to the theoretical values given by faraday’s laws of electrolysis, which of the 5 processed orange juice brands in the market has the least concentration of ascorbic acid measured in moldm-3 using acid-base titration with a solution of 0.05 moldm-3 sodium hydroxide, how does changing the temperature (10°c, 25°c, 40°c, 55°c, 70°c) at which kangkung is cooked at affect its concentration of iron (ii) ions, as measured by the volume of 0.002m potassium permanganate needed to completely oxidise iron (ii) ions in a solution of water spinach, while keeping cooking time constant at 10 minutes, how does an increase in ionic radii (10-12 m) of central metal ions that are period 4 transition metals (co2+, cu2+, ni2+, mn2+, fe2+) affect the energy difference in the d-orbital splitting (kj/mol) of color complexes calculated through highest absorbance on a spectrophotometer, the effect of temperature on buffering capacity of a phosphate buffer, what is the effect of temperature on the light output of glow sticks over time, how do varying concentrations (%10, %30, %50, %70, %96) of aqueous solutions of ethanol (c2h5oh) have an effect on the rate (kpa min-1 ) of reaction in the dehydration of ethanol, recording the amount of pressure (kpa) released by a gas pressure sensor (± 0.01 kpa) under the same time (min) periods, with catalyst titanium dioxide (tio2), how does the temperature (20℃, 40℃, 60℃, 80℃, 100℃) of heating dairy milk affect the amount (mg) of ionic calcium (ca2+) present in the milk determined using a complexometric titration, what is the antioxidant content [μmol/dm3 of filtrate] in superfoods: fucus, chlorella, spirulina, matcha, barley, wheatgrass and kale, which d-block metal catalyst from zinc(ii) sulfate(znso4) and manganese(ii) sulfate(mnso4) will lower the activation energy (kjmol-1) the most in the reaction between sodium thiosulfate and iron(iii) nitrate, by calculating the time taken for the completion of the reaction at varying temperatures of 25°c, 30°c, 35°c, 40°c, 45°c, how does increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid (0.000 (control), 0.100, 0.200, 0.500, 0.700, and 1.00) m affect the rate of calcium carbonate decomposition (g/s) through measuring the mass loss using a digital balance±0.001𝑔 every 120.00s for 720.00swith a digital stopwatch ±0.01𝑠 ).