Writing in Chemistry Lab Abstracts a W I

Writing in Chemistry: Lab Abstracts a W. I. D. Workshop CWAC: Center for Writing Across the Curriculum Saint Mary’s College of California, Spring 2015

Format �One-Inch � 1 Margins page MAX �Double-spaced �Size 12 font

Format �Past � 3 rd Tense Person �Passive voice allows you to remain in 3 rd person

Past Tense, 3 rd Person, & Passive Voice �“I am melting the ice cream. ” vs. “The ice cream melted. ” �“I kick the ball. ” vs. “The ball was kicked. ”

Abstract Outline What did you do? How? What did you find? Why important? ◦ Title ◦ Objective ◦ Methodology/Principles of Chemistry Applied / Procedure ◦ Results ◦ Discussion ◦ Conclusion

How do I begin? � Title ◦ Describe the goal ◦ Include theory being tested � Objective ◦ The first sentence is the objective (goal/purpose) ◦ Try not to start with “The objective of this experiment was…” �What is the end goal? �Why is this experiment done?

Better Example Abstract Synthesis of a Chemical Compound: Making Alum from Aluminum The objective of this laboratory was to prepare alum (KAl(SO 4)2∙ 12 H 2 O) from elemental aluminum using several synthetic techniques important in chemistry. A cleaned piece of aluminum was oxidized using aqueous potassium hydroxide under low heat, forming potassium tetrahydroxyaluminate and hydrogen gas. Upon the addition of sulfuric acid, aluminum(III) ions were formed. Gravity filtration was used to remove solid impurities. The alum was crystallized from the chilled filtrate, a mixture of aluminum(III), potassium, and sulfate ions, and isolated by suction filtration. The crystals were washed with methanol and dried by air suction. The yield was 7. 1375 g of alum (74. 89%), and approximately 2. 39 g (25%) of theoretical yield was not isolated. The solubility of alum under the crystallization conditions would result in 1. 14 g of alum remaining in solution, therefore 1. 25 g of material was not isolated. This material could have remained on the glassware and stirring rod or could have been lost during filtration and methanol washes.

Abstract Outline What did you do? How? What did you find? Why important? ◦ Title ◦ Objective ◦ Methodology/Principles of Chemistry Applied / Procedure ◦ Results ◦ Discussion ◦ Conclusion

Methodology/Principles of Chemistry Applied / Procedure �a BRIEF description of the procedure ◦ Assume the reader has as much (or more) experience in chemistry as you do. ◦ Mention the technique, but not details about how it was performed �Ex. : Say that suction filtration was used – but don’t describe how you assembled the apparatus or carried out the process

Better Example Abstract Synthesis of a Chemical Compound: Making Alum from Aluminum The objective of this laboratory was to prepare alum (KAl(SO 4)2∙ 12 H 2 O) from elemental A cleaned piece of aluminum was oxidized using aqueous potassium hydroxide under low heat, forming potassium tetrahydroxyaluminate and hydrogen gas. Upon the addition of sulfuric acid, aluminum(III) ions were formed. Gravity filtration was used to remove solid impurities. The alum was crystallized from the chilled filtrate, a mixture of aluminum(III), potassium, and sulfate ions, and isolated by suction filtration. The crystals were washed with methanol and dried by air suction. aluminum using several synthetic techniques important in chemistry. The yield was 7. 1375 g of alum (74. 89%), and approximately 2. 39 g (25%) of theoretical yield was not isolated. The solubility of alum under the crystallization conditions would result in 1. 14 g of alum remaining in solution, therefore 1. 25 g of material was not isolated. This material could have remained on the glassware and stirring rod or could have been lost during filtration and methanol washes.

Abstract Outline What did you do? How? What did you find? Why important? ◦ Title ◦ Objective ◦ Methodology/Principles of Chemistry Applied / Procedure ◦ Results ◦ Discussion ◦ Conclusion

Numbers to Include in Results � The ◦ ◦ main results of each lab, including The rate law equation Kinetic constants Thermodynamic values Cell voltages � Percent error � Relevant data from charts/graphs � Include any numbers that directly relate to the conclusions that you were trying to draw from your hypothesis.

Do NOT Include: � First or second person ◦ (I, you, me, we, us, etc. ) � Colloquial words for scientific terms ◦ (stuff, things, etc. )

Better Example Abstract Synthesis of a Chemical Compound: Making Alum from Aluminum The objective of this laboratory was to prepare alum (KAl(SO 4)2∙ 12 H 2 O) from elemental aluminum using several synthetic techniques important in chemistry. A cleaned piece of aluminum was oxidized using aqueous potassium hydroxide under low heat, forming potassium tetrahydroxyaluminate and hydrogen gas. Upon the addition of sulfuric acid, aluminum(III) ions were formed. Gravity filtration was used to remove solid impurities. The alum was crystallized from the chilled filtrate, a mixture of aluminum(III), potassium, and sulfate ions, and isolated by suction filtration. The crystals were washed with methanol and dried by air suction. The yield was 7. 1375 g of alum (74. 89%), and approximately 2. 39 g (25%) of theoretical yield was not isolated. The solubility of alum under the crystallization conditions would result in 1. 14 g of alum remaining in solution, therefore 1. 25 g of material was not isolated. This material could have remained on the glassware and stirring rod or could have been lost during filtration and methanol washes.

Abstract Outline What did you do? How? What did you find? Why important? ◦ Title ◦ Objective ◦ Methodology/Principles of Chemistry Applied / Procedure ◦ Results ◦ Discussion ◦ Conclusion

Discussion & Conclusion � This is the “analysis. ” � Why are the results significant? � Why did the results end up this way? �Why the results are important and what can be learned from them. �What principles are explored? ◦ What do they say about the success or failure of the experiment? ◦ Avoid writing “Operator/Student error. ”

Better Example Abstract Synthesis of a Chemical Compound: Making Alum from Aluminum The objective of this laboratory was to prepare alum (KAl(SO 4)2∙ 12 H 2 O) from elemental aluminum using several synthetic techniques important in chemistry. A cleaned piece of aluminum was oxidized using aqueous potassium hydroxide under low heat, forming potassium tetrahydroxyaluminate and hydrogen gas. Upon the addition of sulfuric acid, aluminum(III) ions were formed. Gravity filtration was used to remove solid impurities. The alum was crystallized from the chilled filtrate, a mixture of aluminum(III), potassium, and sulfate ions, and isolated by suction filtration. The crystals were washed with methanol and dried by air suction. The yield was 7. 1375 g of alum (74. 89%), and approximately 2. 39 g (25%) of theoretical yield was not isolated. The solubility of alum under the crystallization conditions would result in 1. 14 g of alum remaining in This material could have remained on the glassware and stirring rod or could have been lost during filtration and methanol washes. solution, therefore 1. 25 g of material was not isolated.

Peer Review: Post-outline 1. 2. 3. 4. Read aloud your abstract Your peer identifies and describes each element in yours Discuss what’s missing Then analyze, discuss revisions Trade roles

Post-outline peer’s abstract: � � � Basic outline: What did you do? How did you do it? What did you find? Why is it important? Objective of the experiment goes in the first sentence The “Methodology” section is a BRIEF description of the procedure Main results of lab ◦ The rate law equation, Kinetic constants, Thermodynamic values, Cell voltages Percent error Relevant data from charts/graphs Why are your results significant? What do they indicate about the success or failure of the experiment? Why did the results end up this way? Use Passive Voice! Use Past Tense! Use Third Person!

Things to Consider � Be as direct as possible. Since your abstract can only be one page double-spaced, there is no room for “fluff. ” � Be as specific as possible without being redundant � Use the “Sentence Structure” and the “Summary of hints” handouts for specific questions

Works Cited Farrall, Don. Blue Periodic Table Closeup. N. d. Getty Images. Web. 14 Feb 2013. GLOBALHAWK 90. 3 d Bottle. 2012. flickr. Web. 14 Feb 2013. Jackson, Pat. Chemistry Abstract Examples.

Thank you! Writing in Chemistry: Lab Abstracts This W. I. D. Workshop is a collaborative effort of the CWAC staff, led by Lead Writing Adviser Madeline Bell CWAC: Center for Writing Across the Curriculum Saint Mary’s College of California, Spring 2015