The availability of a variety of bottled waters from a number of sources provides a readily available resource for problem-solving exercises in chemical analysis. Students are challenged to identify water samples using the known chemical analyses of bottled waters. Several common water quality measurements such as hardness, alkalinity, and ion analysis can be used by students to identify the unknown water. This exercise develops problem-solving skills as students become familiar with basic lab techniques, quality control, data interpretation, and standard methods. Throughout the activity students become more conscious of both their data and data obtained from references. Students learn that data reported from a source are not absolute values, and develop varying degrees of confidence in data sources.
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Citation
Myers, Richard L. J. Chem. Educ.1998 75 1585.
Keywords
Laboratory Instruction; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Water / Water Chemistry; Environmental Chemistry
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