Conclusions in Chemistry Pracs

[bucket]

I'm not the greatest conclusion writer, what makes for a powerful conclusion?

[Collin Li]

The same as what was suggested in your biology thread. You should state whether your results supported your hypothesis and address your aims.

[bucket]

It's not as easy as that =\.
I should have mentioned that the pracs are looking for quantitative results, ie. how much iron is in a sample of fertiliser, so there isn't a hypothesis for these pracs.
Summing up the prac and what my results have showed me have failed me in the past =\

[beezy4eva]

My method of doing conclusions is by turning the aim into multiple questions that have to be answered. eg if the aim was 'To determine the ammonia content of lawn fertiliser' i would ask myself How did we find the ammonia content of lawn fertiliser? What was the ammonia content? Why do we know that this is the content? How does this content compare to what we think the content should be/what the label claims it should be?
Also if their isnt another section on the prac that asks for the limitations of the prac or risk management, you should probably put something in the conclusion about them.

[bucket]

ah thanks a lot beezy, thats a good way to approach it

[Mao]

for conclusions in chem, you should include the following (from experience):

1. how it matched with your hypothesis (or the value stated by manufacturer if ur investigating contents of something)

2. comment on the difference, any uncertainties (errors)
   -systematic errors (which are faults with equipment, and faults with reading measurements -> your eyes might have deceived u...? )
   -random errors (uncertainties caused by the environment, such as wind, dust in the air, reaction of stuff with air, etc)
   -mistakes (what you did wrong)

3. suggest extensions to the experiment, what else can you do to make the test better: include better equipments, as well as suggesting other chemical analysis that could be done to confirm your results


that should get u full marks

[bucket]

haha cheers mao.

[danielf]

i've learnt you ALWAYS include percentage error between your results and the manufacturer's specsifications - Use this to state whether you're in poor, reasonable, or good agreement with the manufacturer's specs