IBDP Chemistry
First Examinations 2016
EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE CHEMISTRY INTERNAL ASSESSMENT (IA) INVESTIGATIONS
TRADITIONAL OR HANDS-ON
















Removing tarnish from silver objects (redox reactions)
Aspirin: Syntheses using less common approaches like microwaves, purification by melting point
and TLC, kinetics of the hydrolysis of aspirin to salicylic acid under various conditions
Synthesis of the Sweetener Dulcin from the Analgesic Tylenol (allows using titration)
Studying nucleophilic substitution reactions (using TLC-quantitation may be achieved by using
simple flatbed scanner)
Production of hydrogen peroxide using a photosensitizer such as riboflavin and redox reactions
Thermal denaturation of proteins using UV light
thermodynamics and kinetics of 'Heater Meals"
Investigating the kinetics of the bleaching of a dye using a colorimeter probe
Solidification techniques and materials
distribution constant of iodine between aqueous and non-aqueous systems (which could be
expanded to calculate ∆G)
Investigating gases in water overheated in a microwave
investigating EDTA contents in shower cleaners
Investigating the dependence of overvoltage on the composition of a metal surface at which
hydrogen discharge occurs, bubbles' lifetime' and IMF
Low rank coal swelling with different solvents
Pharmaceuticals from plants
Investigating fluorescence using turmeric, B complex vitamins, minerals, household items.
SPREADSHEETS




producing artificial seawater using spreadsheets for calculations
studying carbonate system equilibria in aquariums using Excel for calculations
Calculating pI of proteins
Study kinetics of a reaction with software such as ChemKinetics, Using Excel or Modellus.
IBDP Chemistry
First Examinations 2016
DATABASES






NIST or any of the many excellent databases available in the web could be used to investigate
trends in C-H, N-H, and O-H Bond dissociation enthalpies
Comparing experimental data related to structure of compounds with values predicted by
software such as MOPAC, WebMO or GAMESS
Investigating intermolecular forces using software such as SAPT
Investigating the effect of isotopes on vibrational spectra comparing experimental results with
those predicted by programmes such as Spartan Student, Molden or Tinker
Analyzing environmental topics from databases such as those from EPA, European Environment
Agency, United Nations Environment Programme, Database of Environmental Education Related
Organizations Among Asian Countries or NETROnline
Environmental issues offer endless possibilities.
SIMULATIONS




Investigate the Influence of surrounding chemical environment on NMR spectra using
WinDNMR and relate these structures to chemical reactions or establish changes in terms of
modifications in temperature. The information can then be exported to spreadsheets for further
analysis.
Simulation investigations might determine data in a straight-forward way (like playing a
computer game) but then the student should use this simulation for processing data, or
comparing with experimental results either personally collected or from data bases taking one
step beyond the simulation, to find something new.
Students need insight and initiative when using simulations to reach expected depth.
Simulations on their own do not meet requirements of the criteria.