Applied Science BTEC Nationals/Fundamentals of Science

Scenario
In quality control laboratories tests are carried out to check the quality of substances, whether they are raw materials, materials being produced/manufactured on a large scale or checks on such substances such as the quality of river water or soil or foods.

As part of your professional development as a new science technician working in the quality control laboratory of a pharmaceutical manufacturing chemical company, you have been asked to investigate:


 * some key features of the periodic table
 * atomic structure and chemical bonding
 * the preparation of standard solutions
 * simple acid-base titrations
 * how the titrations would be carried out differently in a modern quality control laboratory.

Task 1 P1
Many of the elements (in compounds and their solutions) involved in carrying out the preparation of standard solutions and titrations are in different groups and periods of the periodic table.

a)	Using the first 18 elements in the periodic table, complete the PERIODIC BASICS ACTIVITY & submit as evidence

b)	Choose 1 of the first 18 elements, and complete the ADOPT AN ELEMENT activity & submit as evidence

c)	Complete the CANDY CANE activity and submit as evidence

d)     Using the laboratory procedure and risk analysis provided by your tutor, safely prepare a standard solution of sodium hydroxide at 0.10M.

Also using the laboratory procedure and risk analysis provided by your tutor, carry out two simple titrations using the sodium hydroxide solution of known molarity against:
 * an unknown solution of a strong acid
 * an unknown solution of a weak acid.

Repeat the titration three times to ensure that you have consistent results. Calculate the molarity of the unknown solutions using the given calculation method to achieve accurate results.

Task 2 M1
Using the results obtained from your practical experiments, draw conclusions about the accuracy of your results in terms of the:
 * consistency of the volume of unknown solution titrated.
 * the accuracy of the end point.
 * the indicator used.
 * your method of calculation.

Task 3 D1
a).	Explain how standard solutions and titrations are prepared and used in industry.

b)	Although the fundamental concepts underlying the preparations of standard solutions and the carrying out of titrations are the same in modern industrial laboratories, the methods by which they are carried out can be different and automated. Describe how preparations of standard solutions and titrations are carried out in modern industrial laboratories.

=Resources=

Edexcel recommend the following resources.

Textbooks
Adams S and Allday J — Advanced Physics (Oxford University Press, 2000) ISBN 0199146802

Ciccotti F and Kelly D — Physics AS (Collins Educational, 2000) ISBN 0003277550

Fullick A — Heinemann Advanced Science: Biology (Heinemann Educational Secondary Division, 2000) ISBN 0435570951

Fullick A and Fullick P — Chemistry: Evaluation Pack (Heinemann Educational Secondary Division, 2000) ISBN 043557096X

Fullick P — Heinemann Advanced Science: Physics (Heinemann Educational Secondary Division, 2000) ISBN 0435570978

ILPAC — Advanced Practical Chemistry, 2nd Edition (Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry) (Hodder Murray, 1997) ISBN 0719575079

Websites
BBC learning.

The ICI Company.

National Learning Network.

The Royal Society of Chemistry.