S1, Ep 6: Why lab work is important in chemistry

Caroline Christian, Ph.D.

So you are in your first chemistry class, and you realize that you also have to take a chemistry laboratory! Why is this? What is this chemistry lab all about? Why do chemists care about lab work at all? Chemistry is an experimental science. This means that everything you learn in chemistry is subject to change! Let me say that again: nothing is static about chemistry; everything is dynamic.

Let me digress for a moment, I once did a small research experiment where I asked four prominent scientists at the University of Illinois if new data were released that refuted the structure of the atom, would they believe the new data. Amazingly all of these scientists said yes they would believe the new data, but that it would have to be very convincing to make them believe it! So, there are chemists out there who experiment by probing the inner workings of the atom. One way to learn how to be a chemist is by learning how to experiment with some of the basic equipment that chemists use - beakers, graduated cylinders, pipets, burets, Bunsen burners, and crucibles are just some of the basic equipment. And of course there are the chemicals; one goal of every lab instructor is to have students respect the power that comes with being a chemist. The best way to do that is too see the chemical reactions take place.

One chemical reaction that I want to mention this week is how to clean rust off of kitchen utensils or tools. An easy way to do it is with vinegar! The weak acid in vinegar (HC3H2O3) will dissolve rust (Fe(OH)3) by this chemical reaction:

3HC3H2O3 + Fe(OH)3 --> Fe(C2H3O2)3 + 3H2O. A question for you to ponder: If the OH- ion is the hydroxide ion, and you reread the post, "Naming with roman numerals" what is the name of rust?

02/16/2018