Name:                                                                                      Date:                                      

My Topic:          Click                                                               Due Date:                               

Source Submission Due Date:                                   

Report Requirements:                                    

1.   The body of the report must be at least 1200 words.  This does not include the works cited and any title page.  A title page is not necessary.

2.   You must type and double space your report.  Don’t use any ridiculous fonts and don’t mess with the margins.  That stuff is annoying.

3.   A works cited and in text citations using ACS style is required.

4.   You must include at least two reaction equations in your report.  They should either show your element/compound as a reactant, product, or catalyst.  The equation should have all necessary notation (e.g. states of matter, catalysts) and be balanced.  If you are looking for equation editing software, you can download a trial version of MathType.

5.   Part of this assignment's objective is to acquaint you with some reference texts chemists frequently use.  You must include information from two of the reference books listed below:

      CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics                       Merck Index

      Lange’s Handbook of Chemistry

 

      The CRC Handbook and Lange’s are good if you need quantitative data.  The Merck Index will provide essential background information that is qualitative in nature.

6.   You must include a minimum of three articles from approved sources.  They can be scientific journals (e.g. Science, Nature) or other academic journals that feature an article on your element/compound.  A good place to start is at the Morris Knolls library website and look for the JSTOR link.  You will be able to access a multitude of journals and source articles from there.  You need to submit these sources (a digital copy or photocopy of at least the first page) by the date given above.

7.   You will suggest and describe an experiment that would compare some known            property/characteristic of your compound/element with other substances.  You may    want to reflect on the types of labs we have done this year for guidance.  You are    only going to describe a procedure (not a step-by-step list) to carry out your       experiment.  You should also describe the results that you would anticipate and           how that verifies the property/characteristic of your substance.

8.   You will submit your report digitally only.  Keep the report, works cited, and everything else in one file.  Make sure the file’s extension is compatible with Word or Open Office Writer.

      Topic – First Last              e.g. Vanadium – Your Name

  Special Considerations for Scientific Writing 1.   Formulas need to have proper subscripts when necessary (e.g. H2O).

2.   If you access the Character Map you will find arrows and the symbol for liquid, ℓ.  You can find them in the Times New Roman font, but you will have to scroll down some.

3.   Compound and element names are not proper nouns and should not be capitalized.

4.   It is not appropriate to includes multiple sentences or a paragraph that only gives numerical data for the substance.  It is more acceptable to introduce a property and then explain why it is important.

5.   When referring to a compound or element for the first time in your report, it is customary to place the CAS number in parentheses after the name:

“Sneed and Brasted remark11 that lead(II) bromide (10031-22-8) is synthesized in the laboratory by methods similar to that of lead(II) chloride.”

6.   Equations get their own centered line and are numbered as well, beginning with 1.  All future references to the reaction can then be made as “Equation 1 shows…” or “Equation 2 illustrates…”:

PbO + 2HCl ¾® PbCl2 + H2O         (1)

PbCO3 + 2HCl ¾® PbCl2 + H2O + CO2                        (2)

7.   At the end of the paper, give the full list of sources used.  The ACS Style Guide, mentioned earlier, will help you through this process.

8.   You are encouraged to use words, phrases, and other terms that have not been discussed in class.  You should include a footnote that refers to a description – in your words – that conveys that you understand that word or phrase.

9.   Avoid too much discussion of history.  Your focus is the chemistry of your topic, and historical context should be kept to a minimum.

10. An MSDS is an acceptable source, but integrate safety information sparingly.