AP Chemistry - Lab Procedures Study Sheet
1. Preparing a Solution (from Solid)
1. Weigh solid solute using a balance.
2. Add solute to a volumetric flask.
3. Add distilled water halfway, swirl to dissolve.
4. Fill to the mark with distilled water.
5. Cap and invert several times to mix.
2. Preparing a Dilution (from Concentrated Solution)
1. Use volumetric pipet to measure known volume of stock solution.
2. Transfer to a smaller volumetric flask.
3. Add distilled water carefully near the mark.
4. Fill exactly to the mark with distilled water.
5. Cap and invert to mix.
3. Titration (e.g., Acid-Base, Redox)
1. Rinse buret with distilled water, then titrant. Fill buret with titrant.
2. Pipet known volume of analyte into Erlenmeyer flask.
3. Add a few drops of indicator (if needed).
4. Titrate: Slowly add titrant while swirling until endpoint color change.
5. Record initial and final buret readings to find volume used.
4. Gravimetric Analysis (Precipitation)
1. Mix sample solution with reagent to form precipitate.
2. Set up funnel with pre-weighed filter paper.
3. Filter the mixture to collect precipitate.
4. Rinse precipitate with cold distilled water.
5. Dry precipitate, weigh, and calculate from mass.
5. Heating to Constant Mass
AP Chemistry - Lab Procedures Study Sheet
1. Weigh crucible (or container) empty.
2. Add sample and weigh again.
3. Heat strongly with a Bunsen burner.
4. Cool in a desiccator, then weigh.
5. Repeat heating and weighing until mass is constant.
6. Redox Reaction Setup (Titration or Reaction)
1. Pipet known volume of reducing agent (e.g., Fe^2+) into flask.
2. Add acid (e.g., H2SO4) to provide H+ ions.
3. Fill buret with oxidizing agent (e.g., KMnO4).
4. Titrate while swirling until endpoint (color persists).
5. Calculate moles of reactants based on volume used.
7. Chromatography (Separation)
1. Cut a piece of chromatography paper.
2. Draw a baseline with pencil, spot sample onto it.
3. Place paper into solvent (below the baseline).
4. Let solvent rise up the paper, carrying sample with it.
5. Remove, mark solvent front, and calculate Rf values.
Quick Reminders
- Always rinse glassware with solution you are using (NOT just water).
- Always swirl during titrations for even mixing.
- Always dry solids before weighing in mass-based experiments.
- Read volumes at the bottom of the meniscus at eye level.