CHEMISTRY

SATE 2019
Unit 1: Chemical fundamentals — structure, properties and reactions

Feedback on Student Experiment Drafts

Heading
QCAA HANDBOOK - INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRAFTING
• feedback on a maximum of one draft
• can not allocate a result for the draft
• Feedback on a draft must not compromise the authenticity of student
work. Teachers may not introduce
• new ideas,
• language
• research to improve the quality of student responses.
• may indicate some key errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and
calculations
• remind students that the draft requires more editing, but should not
edit or correct all errors in a draft.
• Feedback should encourage a student to reflect on strategies they might use to refine
their response.
• Can indicate aspects of the response that need to be improved or developed to meet the
requirements of the ISMG
• develop their response to show more awareness of the audience
• give priority to the most important points by rearranging the sequence and structure of
ideas
• conduct further investigation to support an argument or communicate meaning
• adhere more closely to the referencing style selected by the school.
EXEMPLAR - TITLE
• How does changing the
DEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT concentration of the VARIABLE
VARIABLE electrolyte (KOH) affect - The variable
- The variable that you
you have
the time to produce 25 mL measure
chosen to vary of hydrogen gas by
electrolysis?
 CRITERION:
RESEARCH AND
PLANNING
First table of criteria in ISMG
RATIONALE
THE ISMG STATES:
• requires an informed application of understanding of (topic) to
modify experimental methodologies demonstrated by a considered
rationale for the experiment

DEFINITION:
• A set of reasons, or logical basis for a course of action or decision
RATIONALE
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (not an A standard)
The rationale shows
• sound application of scientific concepts to the research question.
• However, the rationale does not discuss the electrolytes in the
original experiment and the modified methodology.
EXEMPLAR - RATIONALE
• Electrolysis is a chemical change caused by passing an electric current through an
electrolyte (Clark 2013). Pure water is not an electrolyte (Whitney 1903). Adding an
ionic compound to water significantly enhances its conductivity, allowing it to act as
an electrolyte. During electrolysis, reduction of hydrogen ions occurs at the cathode,
resulting in the evolution of hydrogen gas.
• 2H+(aq) + 2e–  H2(g) (eq. 1)
• The electrical charge passed (Q, in coulombs) is equivalent to the product of current
(I, in amps) and time (t, in seconds). Therefore, the volume of hydrogen gas evolved
will be proportional to the quantity of electrical charge passed. One faraday of charge
(F) is equal to 96 500 C (Purdue University 2017) and represents the electrical charge
associated with one mole of electrons. Inspection of the reduction half-equation (eq.
1) shows that 2 moles of H+(aq) reacts with 2 moles of electrons to produce 1 mole of
H2(g). The molar volume of hydrogen gas (Vm) occupies 22.4 L at STP (Lyon et. al.
2000).
ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT
ISMG:
• effective and efficient investigation of phenomena associated with
(topic) demonstrated by a specific and relevant research question
 EXEMPLAR - ORIGINAL
EXPERIMENT
• The online simulation ‘Electrolysis Experiments’
Reference for
experiment (Crowley 2003) qualitatively examined how
changing the electrolyte’s chemical composition
Aim of original affected the volume of hydrogen gas produced.
experiment The two electrolytes examined were acidified water
and hydrochloric acid. These electrolytes have
different concentrations of H+(aq) available to
Summary of what
was found from undergo reduction to produce hydrogen gas. When
doing the original compared with acidified water, hydrochloric acid
experiment
produced double the volume of hydrogen gas. This
led to the following research question being
developed.
RESEARCH QUESTION
THE ISMG STATES:
• effective and efficient investigation of phenomena associated with
(topic) demonstrated by a specific and relevant research question
DEFINITION:
Research Question - a question that directs the scientific inquiry
activity; it focuses the student experiment, informing the direction of
the research and guiding all stages of inquiry, analysis, interpretation
and evaluation
RESEARCH QUESTION
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (A standard)
• The research question is clearly defined. The independent variable
and the dependent variable are clearly stated.
• The research question is connected to the rationale and enables
effective investigation of (topic).
EXEMPLAR - RESEARCH QUESTION
INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT
VARIABLE
How does changing the VARIABLE
- The variable you concentration of an - The variable
have chosen to that you
electrolyte (KOH) affect the measure
vary
time to produce 25 mL of
hydrogen gas by
electrolysis?
MODIFICATIONS TO THE
METHODOLOGY
THE ISMG STATES:
• effective and efficient investigation of phenomena associated with
(topic) demonstrated by a methodology that enables the collection of
sufficient, relevant data
• informed application of understanding of (topic) to modify
experimental methodologies demonstrated by justified modifications
to the methodology
DEFINITION:
• Justified – sound reasons or evidence is provided to support a
statement
MODIFICATIONS TO THE
METHODOLOGY
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (A standard)
• The response gives sound reasons for how the modifications to the
methodology will refine, extend or redirect the original experiment.
• Methodology shows careful and deliberate thought. It enables
collection of adequate data so an informed conclusion to the research
question can be drawn. Three repeated measurements for each trial
are planned to allow a mean to be calculated. Five variations of the
independent variable are planned to allow trends and relationships
to be analysed and graphs to be drawn.
EXEMPLAR - MODIFICATIONS TO THE METHODOLOGY
1. extended by Modification
a. introducing an ammeter (Figure 1) to quantify the
current that passed through the electrolyte — this
allowed the electrical charge, moles of electrons and Justification
moles of hydrogen gas to be calculated
b. using a timer (± 0.05 seconds) to quantify the time
that the current passed through the electrolyte — this
allowed the rate of hydrogen production and moles of
hydrogen gas produced to be determined (dependent
variable)
EXEMPLAR - MODIFICATIONS TO THE METHODOLOGY
1. extended by
c. using five concentrations of KOH (0.2 M, 0.4 M, 0.6 M, 0.8 M and 1.0 M) to show
the effect that the concentration of the electrolyte has on the time needed to
produce the molar volume of hydrogen (independent variable). Each concentration
will be tested three times (JUSTIFICATION MISSING)
2. refined by
a. using a 25.00 ± 0.25 mL measuring cylinder rather than a test tube (Figure 1) to
quantify the volume of hydrogen gas produced
b. using 100.0 ± 0.5 mL of solution for each trial (controlled variable)
c. using a rheostat to reduce fluctuations in the current (controlled variable).
MODIFICATIONS TO THE
METHODOLOGY
DEFINITIONS:
REFINE – is to modify the methodology to obtain more accurate or precise
data (eg using equipment that is more precise than the original experiment)

EXTEND – is to modify the methodology to overcome limitations of the scope

or applicability of the data (eg adding steps or equipment that was not in the
original experiment - like more trials)

REDIRECT – is to modify the methodology to gain further insight into the

phenomena observed in the original experiment (eg first experiment looked
at different electrolytes while the modified experiment looked to see if
concentration of electrolyte had an impact on gas production)
MANAGEMENT OF RISKS
THE ISMG STATES:
• effective and efficient investigation of phenomena associated with
(topic) demonstrated by considered management of risks and ethical
or environmental issues

EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (A standard)

The response shows careful and deliberate identification and planning
to handle risks
EXEMPLAR - MANAGEMENT OF RISKS
Risk
0.1 M potassium hydroxide solution may irritate
the eyes and skin. Eye protection will be worn
and any solution that touches the skin will be
washed off immediately. Waste materials will be Impact

returned to the prep room.

There is a very small risk of explosion from the Control of risk
hydrogen and oxygen released in the electrolysis.
No naked flames will be used while passing the
current through the apparatus. The electrolysis
will be carried out in a well-ventilated room.
CRITERION: ANALYSIS
OF EVIDENCE
Second table of criteria in ISMG
QUALITATIVE OBSERVATIONS
THE ISMG STATES:
effective and efficient investigation of phenomena associated with
(topic) demonstrated by the collection of sufficient and relevant raw
data

DEFINITION:
Qualitative – information that is not numerical in nature
EXEMPLAR - QUALITATIVE
OBSERVATIONS
During the electrolysis process, there were only slight variations in the
rates of gas evolution at both electrodes, attributed to small
fluctuations in circuit resistance. These were minimised by use of the
rheostat.
RAW DATA
THE ISMG STATES:
effective and efficient investigation of phenomena associated with
(topic) demonstrated by the collection of sufficient and relevant raw
data

DEFINITION:
Raw data - unprocessed and/or unanalysed data; data that has been
collected without any additional processing
RAW DATA
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (A standard)
• The raw data is adequate for forming a conclusion and has direct
bearing upon the research question. Five variations of the
independent variable and three repetitions of each measurement are
adequate.
 EXEMPLAR – RAW DATA
Table 1: Time taken for the passing of 0.600 ± 0.001 A to collect 25.00
± 0.25 mL of H2 Dependent variable

CONCENTRATION Time
Independent (mol/L) (± 0.5s)*
variable Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Only show data that
directly links to
0.2 359.5 368.5 364.5 research question
0.4 360.0 345.5 327.5
0.6 325.5 339.5 333.5
0.8 343.5 307.0 327.5
1.0 307.0 339.5 326.5
 EXEMPLAR – RAW DATA – appropriate use of genre conventions
Table has been numbered and
has a relevant title

Table 1: Time taken for the passing of 0.600 ± 0.001 A to collect 25.00
± 0.25 mL of H2
Uncertainty of
CONCENTRATION Time measurement
Correct units and (mol/L) (± 0.5s)* shown
symbols shown Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

0.2 359.5 368.5 364.5 Correct number

0.4 360.0 345.5 327.5 of significant
figures for all
0.6 325.5 339.5 333.5
data
0.8 343.5 307.0 327.5
1.0 307.0 339.5 326.5
PROCESSING OF DATA
THE ISMG STATES:
• appropriate application of algorithms, visual and graphical
representations of data about (topic) demonstrated by correct and
relevant processing of data
• systematic and effective analysis of experimental evidence about
(topic), demonstrated by thorough and appropriate identification of
the uncertainty and limitations of evidence

.
PROCESSING OF DATA

EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (A standard)

• Raw data is manipulated accurately to provide evidence that is
applicable to the research question.
• Measurement uncertainty is appropriately propagated through
numerical calculations associated with processed data to determine the
total uncertainty for the experimental results.
• Processed data is consistent with raw data and expressed to the correct
number of significant figures. The response uses units and symbols
correctly.
 EXEMPLAR - PROCESSING OF DATA
Genre Conventions
Processing data Table numbered and
Ensure correct terms has title
are used
Correct number of
Provide the formula significant figures

Show one worked Units and symbols

example included
 EXEMPLAR - PROCESSING OF DATA
Identification of
uncertainity and
limitations
Uncertainty for each
calculation is shown

Uncertainty is
appropriately
propagated through
calculations to
determine total
uncertainty for
experimental results
 EXEMPLAR – PROCESSING OF DATA
Calculations shown in
the order in which they
Only processed needed to be done
data included in
table 3 and 4 Data table has number
and suitable title
All data includes
percentage Data displayed should
uncertainty directly link with the
research question
Suitable
headings with
units

Percentage error
EXEMPLAR – GRAPHS
THE ISMG STATES:
• appropriate application of algorithms, visual and graphical
representations of data about (topic) demonstrated by correct and
relevant processing of data
• systematic and effective analysis of experimental evidence about
(topic), demonstrated by thorough identification of relevant trends,
patterns or relationships
 EXEMPLAR – GRAPHS
Identification of Genre conventions
trends Numbered and
Graph has been suitable title
constructed in a
suitable way to see Labels with name
trends clearly and units on graph

Y= and R2 values Suitable scale

have been added to
graph Correct graph type

Scatterplot with Correct trend line

tend line

Relevant to research
question
TRENDS. PATTERNS AND
RELATIONSHIPS
THE ISMG STATES:
• systematic and effective analysis of experimental evidence about
(topic), demonstrated by thorough identification of relevant trends,
patterns or relationships
DEFINITIONS:
• Trend – general direction in which something is changing
• Pattern – a repeated occurrence or sequence
• Relationship – is a connection or association between ideas or
between components of systems and structures
TRENDS. PATTERNS AND
RELATIONSHIPS
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (A standard)
• The identified trends, patterns and relationships are not superficial
and allow a justified conclusion to the research question to be
drawn.
EXEMPLAR – TRENDS, PATTERNS AND RELATIONSHIPS

• Graph 1 indicates that as the concentration of the electrolyte (KOH)

increased, the time taken to produce 25 mL of hydrogen gas
decreased. This appears to be an exponential relationship, which
suggests that there is a first-order relationship between concentration
of the electrolyte and rate of hydrogen production.
• Graph 2 supports this relationship and shows that as the
concentration of KOH increased, the rate at which hydrogen was
produced also increased. The shape of this graph suggests that the
relationship between hydrogen production and concentration is a
first-order reaction.
EXEMPLAR – TRENDS, PATTERNS AND RELATIONSHIPS

• Graph 3 produced a straight line, which shows that the relationship

between concentration of the electrolyte and the production of
hydrogen gas is a first-order reaction; that is, as [KOH] doubles, the
time taken to produce the same volume of hydrogen is halved.
• Comparing the experimental number of moles calculated for each
[KOH] (Table 4) with the theoretical moles of hydrogen gas allows the
accuracy of the experimental results and, therefore, the validity of the
experimental process to be evaluated. As the [KOH] increases, the
accuracy of the results determined decreased.
LIMITATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE AND RELIABILITY
AND VALIDITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS
THE ISMG STATES:
• systematic and effective analysis of experimental evidence about
(topic), demonstrated by thorough and appropriate identification of
the uncertainty and limitations of evidence
• critical evaluation of experimental processes about (topic)
demonstrated by justified discussion of the reliability and validity of
the experimental process
LIMITATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE AND RELIABILITY
AND VALIDITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS
DEFINITIONS:
Limitations – a weak point or disadvantage that makes evidence less
effective.
Reliability – the likelihood that another experimenter will obtain the
same results (or very similar results) if they perform exactly the same
experiment under the same conditions.
Validity – the extent to which tests measure what was intended: the
extent to which data, inferences and actions produced from tests and
other processes are accurate
LIMITATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE AND RELIABILITY
AND VALIDITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (“A” standard)
• The response suitably identifies uncertainty and limitations of the
data in a way that is not superficial or partial. The response examines
the uncertainty to determine if the evidence that will be used to draw
a conclusion to the research question is reliable and valid.
• The response uses evidence from the identification of uncertainties
and limitations to support the consideration of the reliability and
validity of the experimental process. The response identifies
significant random and systematic errors
•
 EXEMPLAR - LIMITATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE AND
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL
PROCESS
Limitations
First column indicates
limitation

Second column gives a more

detailed explanation
- Table 1 uncertainty is ± 0.5
but data varies more than
this for each trial –
therefore not precise
- Table 3 looking at
uncertainity for each of the
measurements that were
taken – indicating which is
the worst
LIMITATIONS OF THE EVIDENCE AND RELIABILITY
AND VALIDITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCESS
DEFINITIONS:
• Random error – uncontrollable effects of the measurement
equipment, procedure and environment on a measurement result;
the magnitude of random error for a measurement result can be
estimated by finding the spread of values around the average of
independent, repeated measurements of the quantity.
• Systematic error –an error that is affected by the accuracy of a
measurement process that causes readings to deviate from the
accepted value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is
made
EXEMPLAR - LIMITATIONS OF THE
EVIDENCE AND RELIABILITY AND
VALIDITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL
PROCESS
Reliability and validity
• Look at range of percentage uncertainty for
dependent values – they could be similar or
different
• How equipment used impacts reliability

• Defined as random or systematic error

• Other areas?
 CRITERION:
INTERPRETATION AND
EVALUATION
Third table of criteria in ISMG
CONCLUSION
THE ISMG STATES:
• insightful interpretation of experimental evidence about (topic)
demonstrated by justified conclusion/s linked to the research
question.
CONCLUSION
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (“A” standard)
• The response uses sound reasons and evidence to support a
conclusion that directly responds to the research question.
• The response uses an accepted value to draw a conclusion about the
accuracy of the experimental results.
• The response uses sound evidence and concepts, supported by
scientific literature, to support the conclusion and relate results to
the research question.
• The response uses analysis of evidence to support the decisions
reached.
•
 Independent

EXEMPLAR - CONCLUSION and dependent

variables

• The results show that changing the concentration of KOH affects the time taken to
produce 25 mL of hydrogen gas. As [KOH] increases, the corresponding time to Analysis of
produce 25 mL of hydrogen gas decreases (Graph 1). Therefore, increasing the evidence
concentration of K+(aq) and OH−(aq) ions, which act as electrolytes, increases the
rate at which H+(aq) ions in an aqueous solution are reduced to H2(g). Justification
• As the molar volume of any gas at STP is 22.4 L (Lyon et. al. 2000), the number of
moles of hydrogen per 25 mL of gas produced is the same. The theoretical
number of moles of H2(g) produced was 1.02 x10-3 moles (Table 2). The moles of
hydrogen produced for each concentration of KOH, except 1.0 M, can be Accepted
considered accurate as the accepted value for the moles of hydrogen produced values and
falls within the experimental range of the results. However, the large total accuracy
percentage uncertainties associated with these results indicates that the results,
while accurate, may not be reliable.
 EXEMPLAR - CONCLUSION
When an electric current is passed through a dilute aqueous solution of Justification
KOH, the concentration of ions (electrolytes) in the solution affects the supported by
scientific literature
amount of current that passes (Yuvaraj & Santhanaraj 2013). Increasing
the concentration of ions increases the amount of current that can pass
because it increases the number of effective collisions that can occur per
unit of time and, therefore, increases the rate of hydrogen gas production
(Yuvaraj & Santhanaraj 2013). Graph 1 and 2 support this relationship, Analysis of evidence
which supports that the experimental results are valid. The reduction of
H+(aq) to H2(g) is a first-order reaction with respect to rate (Santos,
Sequeira & Figueiredo 2013). Graph 2 and 3 show that the rate of
reaction to produce hydrogen is a first-order reaction with respect to
[KOH], which further supports the validity of the experimental results.
 CONCLUSION
The uncertainty (random error) that arises from the limitations of the equipment Accepted values and
equates to 1.4% (Table 3). However, the total uncertainty (random and systematic accuracy
error) associated with time to produce the same volume of hydrogen gas for each
concentration of KOH ranges from 1% to 6%. This indicates that the experimental
process used contains random and systematic errors, which affected the reliability
and accuracy of the experimental results obtained.
Therefore, the experimental results are accurate and indicate that as the
concentration of KOH increases, the time taken to produce 25 mL of hydrogen gas Summary
decreases. However, the large range of uncertainty associated with determining the
time, rate of reaction and moles of H2(g) produced indicates that the data used to
produce the results is unreliable and, therefore, the experimental process needs to
be refined to improve the reliability of the results.
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS AND EXTENSIONS
THE ISMG STATES:
• suggested improvements and extensions to the experiment that are logically
derived from the analysis of evidence

EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (“A” standard)

• The response uses the analysis of the evidence to inform the suggested
improvements and extensions to the experiment.
• The response uses clear, sound reasoning to arrive at improvements and
extensions that would improve the reliability and validity of the experimental
process by reducing the impact of the identified random and systematic errors.
EXEMPLAR - SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS AND
EXTENSIONS
These errors are the same
as listed in the limitation
of error table.
They have been classified
as either random or
systematic
Suggestions are realistic
Extension – provide one
good suggestion
 CRITERION:
COMMUNICATION
Fourth table of criteria in ISMG
COMMUNICATION
THE ISMG STATES:
• effective communication of understandings and research findings,
arguments and conclusions about (topic) demonstrated by:
• fluent and concise use of scientific language and representations
• appropriate use of genre conventions
• acknowledgment of sources of information through appropriate use of
referencing
COMMUNICATION
EXEMPLAR COMMENTS: (“A” standard)
• The response is easily understood, avoids unnecessary repetition and
meets the required length.
• The use of in-text referencing fits the purpose of a scientific report.
• The response represents data clearly so that the trends, patterns and
relationships can be easily identified.
• correct number of significant figures.
• The response uses units and symbols correctly.
COMMUNICATION
• Syllabus says
Length: written
(e.g. scientific
report), 1500–2000
words
• Show your word
count as: “Word
count: 1931” at end
of report
COMMUNICATION
• Bibliography required as per blue-book
• In-text referencing
• “Referencing means citing other works, i.e. your sources, in your own
text. The references are cited in the running text, and in a reference
list or bibliography, usually at the end of the document. The in-text
citation is a link to the complete reference in the bibliography.”
• Reference theoretical data
COMMUNICATION
Genre Conventions
• Report sub-headings
• Numbers and titles for diagrams, tables and graphs
• Units always included in tables and graphs
• Uncertainty included in tables
• Chemical equations put on a separate line