Instructions for Alum Analysis Lab Report

This will be an individual lab report and be worth 50 points. The lab report will require four (4) sections - Introduction (10 points), Results (12 points), Discussion (12 points), Questions 10 points). An additional 6 points will cover appearance, spelling and grammar.

The lab report must be typed in 12 point font and all sections must be in the same font. Clearly indicate the sections of the lab report. Use a formal, analytical style of prose. Do not use words like "got", or "thing" or contractions.

Introduction:. Provide some background information on the different types of analyses that we performed in the lab exercise (hydrate, melting point and gravimetric). State the purpose of the lab. The introduction should be at least 50 words.

Results: This section should contain the following:

1. A description of observations that you made during the hydrate analysis and calculations regarding expected and actual yield. You must show your work!

2. The melting point results for your alum and the alum obtained as standard alum from Flinn Scientific Corp. Examine some Internet references to determine what if anything about the temperature difference between sample and know and how the alum melted mean with respect to the purity of the alum.

2. A description of observations that you made during the gravimetric determination of alum using barium nitrate to precipitate the alum and calculations regarding expected and actual yield. You must show your work!

Discussion: This section should contain three paragraphs.

1. The first paragraph should be a summary of the experiment.

2. The next paragraph should discuss your results. You should make specific reference to your expected versus actual calculations. Compare your results to the standard alum that was obtained from Flinn Scientific

3. The last paragraph should include a discussion of potential sources of error in your results (especially in places where product could have been lost) and suggestions for improvement.

As a general guideline, each paragraph should be at least 75 words. Remember you are writing a lab report. How you feel about the exercise is not important nor is whether or not you enjoyed doing the exercise.

Questions: Answer the questions at the end of the lab handout. A copy of can be obtained online at the website.