Name
Chamberlain University
CHEM-120 Intro to General, Organic & Biological Chemistry
Prof. Name
Date
The primary goals of this lab are to:
Explain the physical concepts of temperature and absolute zero.
Define the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature in gases using gas thermometry.
Apply the Ideal Gas Law to real-world situations.
Identify and provide examples of acids and bases from everyday life.
Define pH and classify acids and bases using the pH scale.
Apply the Brønsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases to chemical compounds.
Describe the amphoteric and self-ionization capacity of water.
Calculate the pH of strong acids and bases in solution.
Assess whether a neutralization reaction will occur.
Evaluate the outcomes of simple acid-base reactions.
The Ideal Gas Law has important applications in scientific and medical fields. Through the simulation, students are introduced to the physical concepts of temperature and absolute zero. They also explore how pressure, volume, and temperature interact in gases using gas thermometry.
In this virtual lab, students begin by exploring the equipment available and learning how each tool contributes to gas thermometry experiments. By adjusting variables such as temperature, they can observe the changes in pressure of an ideal gas when cooled from boiling water to boiling nitrogen. This experiment allows them to define absolute zero and practice applying the Ideal Gas Law.
The application of these principles connects to real-world medical scenarios, such as maintaining proper conditions for transporting organs during surgery. By conducting experiments virtually, students are able to safely manipulate extreme temperatures and pressures.
In the second part of the lab, the focus shifts to acids and bases. Students learn about how acidic and alkaline substances affect pH, measure acidity levels, and explore the Brønsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases. The simulations also provide opportunities to experiment with neutralization reactions, identify salts formed, and connect chemical concepts to biological and industrial contexts.
The purpose of this experiment was to better understand the Ideal Gas Law and the relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature. Additionally, the lab emphasized how to calculate a temperature scale and identify absolute zero.
Three observations made from the simulation are summarized in the table below:
| Observation Number | Observation Description |
|---|---|
| I | The volume of an ideal gas changes depending on temperature. |
| II | There is a direct relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature in gases. |
| III | Absolute zero remains constant even when other factors change. |
If the pressure of a fixed volume of gas decreased in a sealed container, what variable would you think changed? Did this variable increase or decrease?
When the pressure in a sealed container decreases, the temperature also decreases.
Why is it important to convert into units of Kelvin before using the Ideal Gas Law?
It is important to convert into Kelvin because the Kelvin scale does not have a negative or arbitrary zero reference point. This ensures that calculations involving temperature remain accurate and consistent in the Ideal Gas Law.
Using what you learned in this simulation, explain why compressed gas cylinders, such as those found in the hospital, typically contain a warning to not leave in sunlight or expose to heat.
Compressed gas cylinders often include warnings against heat exposure because an increase in temperature causes the pressure inside the cylinder to rise. This can make the cylinder hazardous or flammable, presenting serious safety risks.
In your own words, describe how to determine which substance acts as an acid and which substance acts as a base in the forward direction of the following reaction: H₂S + H₂O ⇌ H₃O⁺ + HS⁻
In this reaction, the compound that donates a proton acts as the acid, while the compound that accepts the proton acts as the base. Specifically, H₂O accepts a proton and becomes H₃O⁺, making it the base. H₂S donates the proton to form HS⁻, making it the acid.
Predict the two products of the following neutralization reaction and label each product using acid/base terminology: HCl + RbOH → ?
The products of this reaction are RbCl (a salt) and H₂O (water). This follows the general rule:
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
In your own words, describe the relationship between proton (H⁺) concentration and pH.
There is an inverse relationship between proton (H⁺) concentration and pH. When the concentration of protons increases, the pH value decreases, resulting in a more acidic solution.
Consider what you learned from this simulation. Reflect on three to four key concepts that you learned in this lab exercise. How could the lessons learned in this virtual lab relate to a real-world situation in the community/world or your future career? Be specific in your answer (this should require 5-10 sentences).
This lab experiment provided valuable insights into the role of acids, bases, and gas laws in real-world applications. One key concept I learned was the importance of maintaining balance in pH levels, especially in biological systems such as blood. This is directly applicable to healthcare, where intravenous (IV) fluids are often used to maintain a stable blood pH of around 7.2–7.4. Another important concept was the role of neutralization reactions in forming salts and water, which are essential in both natural and industrial processes. I also learned how the Ideal Gas Law applies in medical contexts, such as in the safe handling of compressed gas cylinders and organ transportation. As a future healthcare professional, understanding these chemical concepts will help me make informed decisions when administering treatments like insulin injections or preparing buffer solutions to ensure patient safety.
| Activity Deliverable | Points |
|---|---|
| Part I: Complete Ideal Gas Law simulation | 10 |
| Part II: Complete the Acids and Bases simulation | 10 |
| Part III: Complete lab report and answer questions | 15 |
| – Purpose (1 point) | |
| – Observation (3 points) | |
| – Questions (6 points) | |
| – Reflection (5 points) | |
| Total | 35 |
Labster. (n.d.). Ideal Gas Law: Apply to save a life. Labster Virtual Lab Simulation.
Labster. (n.d.). Acids and Bases. Labster Virtual Lab Simulation.
Atkins, P., & de Paula, J. (2017). Atkins’ physical chemistry (11th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Zumdahl, S. S., & Zumdahl, S. A. (2020). Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.
