Instrumental Analysis

Lab Notebook

The Lab Notebook Must:

• be bound.
• contain a table of contents.
• be legible and written in ink.
• have each page signed and dated when completed.

A typical lab experiment entry will contain:

• Title.^*
• Date.^*
• Group Number and Members (with group leader indicated).^*
• Objective.^*
• Work Plan (in the group leader's notebook).
• Experimental Procedures - referencing the experiment handout is sufficient, but record any procedures that will be different from the handout.
• Copies of all data, spectra, chromatograms, etc.
• Post-lab Experiment Summary (in the group leader's notebook).
• Sample Calculations and Tables of Results.
• Answers to Discussion Questions.

Sample Notebook Entry:

EXTRACTION AND DETERMINATION OF CAFFEINE IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Date: 05/25/99      

OBJECTIVES
----------
To determine the concentration of caffeine in tea and soda. The 
caffeine will be extracted by liquid-liquid extraction and measured 
using uv-vis absorption spectroscopy.


WORK PLAN  
---------
(Note: Start dirt digestion for ICP lab immediately since it will take 3+ hours.)

PHASE 1 (estimated time: 1 hour)
Task 1 (Tissue)
 - Extract caffeine from tea leaves with hot water and filter.

Task 2 
 - Extract caffeine from can of soda (Dr. Pepper) with 1-propanol.      

Task 3 (total time 2.5 hours)
 - Begin digestion of dirt in acid for next laboratory.


PHASE 2 (estimated time: 1 hour)
Task 1 (Tissue)
 - Extract caffeine from tea filtrate with 1-propanol.

Task 1 
 - Prepare caffeine standards.

PHASE 3 (estimated time: 1 hour)
Task 1 (Watson and Hewitt)
 - Measure absorbance of standards and samples.

Task 2 (Tissue)
 - Cool digested dirt and filter into volumetric flask. 
   Store for next lab.


EXPERIMENTAL
------------
We will use the experimental procedures in the lab handout, 
except: samples are tea leaves and Diet Dr. Pepper.


DATA
-----
Record all data in this section as it is recorded. Include all 
experimental conditions for all measurements, including which 
group member recorded the data. Tape spectra, chromatograms, 
etc. into this section after making copies. Organize data in 
tables to improve organization.


EXPERIMENT SUMMARY  
------------------
A summary of samples analyzed and data obtained. You should 
review the Data Treatment and Discussion Questions in the lab 
handout to be sure that you have all of the data that you need.

Also indicate that your lab areas are clean and that all 
group members have recorded all data in their lab books.


DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
-------------------------
Show an example of any calculations. Place plots and graphs 
in this section. Tabulate results so they are easy to find.


DISCUSSION
----------
Discuss any anomalous results or errors, and answer any 
discussion questions that are in the lab handout.