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CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences-C12.1 Experimental design- Study Notes- New Syllabus

CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences-C12.1 Experimental design – Study Notes

CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences-C12.1 Experimental design – Study Notes -CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences – per latest Syllabus.

Key Concepts:

Core

  • Name appropriate apparatus for the measurement of time, temperature, mass and volume, including:
    (a) stop-watches
    (b) thermometers
    (c) balances
    (d) burettes
    (e) volumetric pipettes
    (f) measuring cylinders
    (g) gas syringes
  • Describe a:
    (a) solvent as a substance that dissolves a solute
    (b) solute as a substance that is dissolved in a solvent
    (c) solution as a mixture of one or more solutes dissolved in a solvent
    (d) saturated solution as a solution containing the maximum concentration of a solute dissolved in the solvent at a specified temperature
    (e) residue as a solid substance that remains after evaporation, distillation, filtration or any similar process
    (f) filtrate as a liquid or solution that has passed through a filter

CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Sciences-Concise Summary Notes- All Topics

Apparatus for Measurement in the Laboratory

Different physical quantities are measured using specific apparatus to ensure accuracy and reliability:

(a) Time – Stop-watches

  • Used to measure time intervals accurately.
  • Digital stop-watches give readings in seconds with decimal precision.

(b) Temperature – Thermometers

  • Measure temperature of substances.
  • Mercury-in-glass or alcohol thermometers: scale in °C.
  • Digital thermometers provide faster and more accurate readings.

(c) Mass – Balances

  • Used to measure the mass of solids, liquids, or powders.
  • Electronic balances are commonly used with high accuracy (e.g. ±0.01 g).

(d) Volume – Burettes

  • Used in titrations to deliver accurate volumes of liquids.
  • Graduated in 0.1 cm³ divisions for precision.

(e) Volume – Volumetric Pipettes

  • Used to transfer a fixed, precise volume of liquid (e.g. 25.0 cm³).
  • More accurate than a measuring cylinder.

(f) Volume – Measuring Cylinders

  • Used to measure approximate volumes of liquids.
  • Less accurate than pipettes or burettes, but faster and easier to use.

(g) Volume of Gas – Gas Syringes

  • Used to measure the volume of gas produced in reactions.
  • Graduated markings allow readings in cm³.

Example :

Which apparatus would you use to measure exactly 25.0 cm³ of sodium hydroxide solution in a titration?

▶️ Answer/Explanation

Step 1: A measuring cylinder is not precise enough for titrations.

Step 2: A burette is for delivering variable volumes during titration.

Step 3: A volumetric pipette delivers a fixed, precise volume (25.0 cm³).

Final Answer: Use a volumetric pipette.

Key Terms in Solutions and Separation

(a) Solvent

  • A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute.
  • Example: Water is a common solvent that dissolves salt or sugar.

(b) Solute

  • A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent.
  • Example: Salt is the solute when it dissolves in water.

(c) Solution

  • A solution is a mixture formed when one or more solutes are completely dissolved in a solvent.
  • Solutions are homogeneous (same composition throughout).
  • Example: Salt water is a solution of sodium chloride in water.

(d) Saturated Solution

  • A saturated solution contains the maximum concentration of solute that can dissolve in the solvent at a specified temperature.
  • Any extra solute added will remain undissolved.
  • Example: At 25°C, if no more sugar dissolves in water, the solution is saturated.

(e) Residue

Residue is the solid substance that remains after evaporation, distillation, filtration, or similar processes.

  • Example: Sand collected on filter paper after filtering a sand-water mixture.

(f) Filtrate

  • Filtrate is the liquid or solution that passes through the filter during filtration.
  • Example: Clear salt solution collected after filtering a sand-salt-water mixture.

Example :

When a mixture of sand and salt solution is filtered, name the residue and the filtrate.

▶️ Answer/Explanation

Step 1: The sand is trapped on the filter paper → this is the residue.

Step 2: The salt solution passes through the filter → this is the filtrate.

Final Answer: Residue = sand, Filtrate = salt solution.

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