Knowledge of experimental process/errors

[dekoyl]

Are we required to know (ie. will we be examined on) possible errors in experiments?

For example, a question asks "Explain why NaOH should not be left standing in a glass burette." The answer says that NaOH reacts with the silica in the glass which reduces the accuracy of the experiment.

Thanks.

[shinny]

There are some errors you should know in unit3 chemistry, particularly with NaOH being hydroscopic and titration/gravimetric errors etc. That error however, I have personally NEVER seen.

[dekoyl]

Thanks shinny.

There are some errors you should know in unit3 chemistry, particularly with NaOH being hydroscopic

Hmm is that covered in the Heinemann book? I haven't flicked through every single page, but scanning the index, I don't think it's there.

[shinny]

It was in the Nelson one...not sure about Heinemann.

[Mao]

I think the main problem would be NaOH reacting with CO2 from the atmosphere, hence never leave it sitting in the open ever...