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Where is the Acetone?
Acetone is in the red-lidded squirt bottles. Waste acetone goes in the organic waste containers beside the grey reagent hood.
Why use Acetone?
Soap and warm water won't clean everything. Acetone is an excellent way to remove organic residues on your glassware, and it is used like "water" by organic chemists.
It can also help dry your newly washed glassware after it has been rinsed with DI water, if you plan on using it in the same lab period and don't have time to wait for your DI water to dry. Just swirl and tilt your glassware to coat the walls before dumping it out, and you'll have dry glassware in minutes.
Can I pour acetone down the sink?
NO! Acetone is an organic waste, and must be disposed in the plastic waste containers. A good idea is to use one of your largest beakers as a waste acetone beaker (this is the only exception I make to the no-organics-in-beakers rule), and then pour the acetone into the waste containers once you are done washing up.
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My flask broke! Can I get another one?
Yes, but broken/cracked/chipped/missing glassware and equipment can only be replaced for free on check-in day. O-chem lab has a lot of expensive glassware, so make sure you mind your stuff during the semester so that you aren't paying out the nose during check-out.
*Examples of things you REALLY don't want to break or misplace:
Sep-funnel - $50.50
Condenser - $30.50
Vacuum adapter - $25.00
Anything with precision ground-glass joints
What is the penalty for broken glass?
Glass that breaks due to negligence or poor lab safety considerations (such as boiling a flask dry and then placing it on a cold surface) will impact your Technique grade.
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My cell phone's ringing. May I answer it?
I understand that cell phones are a vital connection to the world outside of organic chem lab. However, just like talking on the phone while driving, it provides a distraction to you, as well as to other people, and this creates a safety hazard..
Please, in the chem lab, set your phone on Silent or Vibrate, and if you need to answer it, step outside the lab proper and answer it in the lobby. Chatting on the phone in lab (even if you're just cleaning up) will not be permitted.
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May I wear contacts to lab?
Contacts ARE allowed, however they are not recommended. If a chemical splash gets past your goggles and gets into your eyes, contacts will trap the chemicals there until you can get to an eyewash station and take the contacts out. Contacts may also react or dissolve.. enough said.
Can I wear my usual glasses to lab instead?
Prescription glasses require side shields, or a set of lab goggles that will comfortably fit over them. I recommend the latter, but for those of you that have particularly large or differently shaped glasses, side shields may be the way to go.
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What if there's a fire / fire alarm? (see also: INJURY)
-Switch off all electrical heating equipment, but leave your fume hoods ON.
-Follow the TAs' instructions in exiting through the rear of the lab and down the fire stairwell. Don't leave the group, because there will be a head count once we're outside!...If you are ON FIRE, do not run. Roll on the floor to smother the fire. Stop, Drop, and Roll still applies, even in an Organic Chemistry Lab.
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Will there be a final exam?
Nope. Consider Special Lab #9 to be your Final.
How many lecture exams will there be?
There are 3 during your tuesday lecture period.
NOTE: Since labs are normalized at an average of 80 points, and the class-wide standard deviation will tend to be low (odds are, everyone will screws up at least one, but will also do an outstanding job on others), unless you consistently do horribly or amazingly on your labs, your exams WILL be the deciding factor in the final grade.
Will there be quizzes in lab section?
No, but I am still liable to ask you a question on procedure or theory in-class (why are you doing this? what is the density of ether? what is your expected weight loss?). I won't ask you anything unreasonable, but there are some things you really ought to know before your lab even starts. Also. It's a great way to not have to cram for the exams...
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Can I come in to work on my stuff on Wednesday instead?
Not without permission from Dr. Mallory.. If your lab session is TTh 8-12, you are ONLY allowed to work during that time period.
Typically, if you want to make it to the Thursday afternoon section (1-5) of the same day for the same experiment, you can, provided there is space in the lab.
Exception: melting points and weights do not need special permission, but it will be a good idea to still let the TA in the area know who you are and why you are there.
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Where's the ice machine?
It's just to the left of the main door to lab.
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What happens if there is an accident in the lab?
Minor cuts, scrapes, etc: band-aids are available at the stockroom window as needed.
For injuries that require medical attention, one of the lab TAs, Jisun Lee, or Dr. Mallory, will immediately escort you in person to the Student Health Emergency Room in Penn Tower.
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Do I have to attend lab lecture?
Only the days you are given your lab exams. But I highly recommend you go: there is very good information on procedure and theory which will help you both in lab and in your lab write-ups. Questions I may give you in lab can potentially be from her lectures.
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Do I have to use the notebook they sell at the stockroom?
No, but it's a good notebook and sold to you *at cost* for only $13.50 cash (trust me, it's a good price).
What makes this a good notebook? It has self-duplicating numbered pages that are normal-coloured, and you don't need to deal with carbon paper or other self-carbons. Since you will need to turn in a (readable) copy of your data at the end of lab period, make sure any other lab notebook that you purchase will leave quality duplicates that I'll be able to read.
PUT THE CARDBOARD BACKING BEHIND THE SHEET so you don't have writing carbon-copied several sheets through your notebook.
Will one lab notebook be enough for the semester?
Well, depending on your writing size and level of content, you may need to purchase another notebook near the end of the semester. You can use an old lab notebook with empty pages, as long as it satisfies the requirements of self-duplicating, numbered pages.
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What is the format for lab reports?
The format for general lab reports is given in your lab manual, but the links outlines to the acceptable format for investigative-type experiments and preparative-type experiments are also given here.
The pre-lab for investigative experiments include Sections 1-3.
The pre-lab for preparative experiments include Sections 1-4
Pre-labs must be completed BEFORE you arrive in lab. They are collected before you leave.I will need to sign all sheets of data collected before you leave!
Does neatness count?
I can't grade your lab report if I can't read your writing.
I recommend you write clearly with ballpoint pen, and make sure you use the cardboard included with the notebook so that your writing does not transfer through the paper.
Can I write in pencil?
Please don't. That's why I'm giving you pens. That's why I have extra.
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What are the penalties for late papers?
•Data obtained during the lab period: I will initial your lab data and collect the COPY sheet (THE DAY you gathered it) before you leave lab. NO EXCEPTIONS! This is equivalent to proof of attendance for that day.
•Late pre-lab: -15 points flat (due end of the first day of each lab #)
•Late Report: -5 points for up to a day
-10 points for up to 1 week
-20 points for up to 2 weeks
-30 points for up to 3 weeks , etc.
Can I get an extension for my lab report?
No. Exceptions (absence due to illness) will only be made with the approval of Dr. Mallory. If you will be gone due to interview, I will typically ask for you to submit the report early.
I forgot to give you one of the pages of my report last week. Can I hand it to you today?
If you neglected to turn in a page of your lab when it was due, REGARDLESS of whether you had it done ON the due date, that portion of the lab is either missing, OR the whole lab is late. Timely and organized submission of materials is your own responsibility.
So.. unless that portion left out was crucial (i.e. worth >10 points), I'd just chill and not bother.
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What are your office hours?
* Any time & place MONDAY 12-5pm, by appointment
(email by 10am that day to schedule)
* Thursday, end of lab until 1pm at Beka's chemistry cafe
(1st floor of chem bldg)
What if I can't attend either of these hours?
I think there may be some of you who cannot attend these hours. I will try and accomodate you, as long as you let me know; appointments are always welcome..
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Where do I toss laboratory waste?
•"Soft" trash goes in the trash cans.
Examples: paper, disposable gloves, filter paper, weighing
paper...
No solid chemical waste.
•Broken glass goes in the short grey cans marked "Glass Only"
Please do not toss your Pasteur Pipets unless they are really
broken.
Replacement Pasteur Pipets are 5¢ apiece.
•Chemical waste goes in the appropiate waste containers under the reagent hoods (hoods with tan coloured trim, not blue); solid wastes will have a separate container.
*Please, do not dump organics (including Acetone) down the sink!
Squirt acetone into a large beaker and pour it into the waste container!
*Dilute aqueous waste such as mineral acids/bases, and recrystallization filtrates can usually be disposed in the sink; please have plenty of water running as you pour them down the drain.
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