Guidelines for Extended Essay in Chemistry

 

Chemistry Unit, Science Department ,

KOLEJ MARA Banting

  

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BEFORE YOU START………

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QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

-What is the chemical subject?

-What is the scope of your investigation?

- What hypothetical outcomes do you expect?

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Extended Essay in Chemistry SHOULD

     Have clear chemical emphasis.

       Deals with composition, characterization and transformation of substances.

     Incorporate chemical principles and theory.

     Relates to the study of matter and the changes it undergoes

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CANNOT be INTERDISCIPLINARY

 

eg. Biochemistry

  EE will be judged on it's chemistry content ONLY; but not it's biological

content.

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Some techniques available in college

Colourimetry

Chromatography

pH meter

Distillation

Redox titration

Acid –Base titration

Data –logging probes

Calorimetry

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Chemistry extended essay candidates SHOULD

demonstrate that they understand the theory underlying any experimental work

show an understanding of the results obtained

able to interpret them with reference to the research question posed.

be critical of inadequate experimental design, the limitations of the experimental method

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Topics to avoid

  Toxic, dangerous chemicals - SAFETY ISSUES

Carcinogenic and radioactive materials - SAFETY ISSUES

Killing of animals and insects ETHICAL ISSUES   Library research ONLY. Pseudo PhD thesis Outcome is already well-known and

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Examples of research questions

   Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of lead in drinking water

  The effects of sugar-free chewing gum on the pH saliva in the mouth after a meal

  How can the natural oxidant rutin be extracted and purified from the seed of the Chinese Scholartree

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Some common EE titles not encouraged

   Analysis of vitamin C or caffeine in various natural product

   Investigation involving aspirin

The effectiveness of sunscreens

Comparison of biodiesel or gasoline as an alternative to fossil fuels

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Some good EE titles done by KMB students;

   Analysis of yellow dye present in selective food junks sold in college using paper chromatographic technique.

   Which toothpaste has the best effect on teeth in terms of whitening effect, fluoride content and the formation of protective enamel coating – siwak or non-siwak toothpaste?

  How do concentration, pH condition and temperature affect lawsone molecule in Lawsonia inermis (henna) to act as a sun block?

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     How do different methods of extraction by solvent and pH condition affect the colour of anthocyanins extract from mangosteen pericarp and what are the effects of different pH and metal ion solutions to the colour of extracted anthocyanin solution?

Investigation on the addition of antioxidants to the concentration of vitamin C in Morinda citrifolia(mengkudu) and Centella asiatica (pegaga) juices?

The investigation on which of the common Malaysian herbs contain and have the most antioxidants level for slowing the aging process and fight against certain diseases.

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Other topics (not so common); Determination of percentage of available

chlorine and sodium hypochlorite in bleaching solutions and its effect on silk.

Chemical constituent investigation on Zingiber Officinale, Curcuma Domestica and Alpinia Galanga using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer method

Determination of types of amino acids present in soybean, soybean milk, 'tauhu' and 'tempe according to the Rf value; and how do the temperature and pH affect the present of amino acids in soybean.

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AND

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Chemistry extended essay candidates SHOULD

demonstrate that they understand the theory underlying any experimental work

show an understanding of the results obtained

able to interpret them with reference to the research question posed.

be critical of inadequate experimental design, the limitations of the experimental method

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Interested in doing EE in chemistry?

Come up with an EE proposal, which includes:

   Research Question/Questions – precisely stated, sharply focused

   Hypothesis – what you think is the outcome.   Experimental Procedure – own design,

should be able to do it in our lab. (but not a must)

   All these typed out with your name, class and handphone no; bring along to discuss with your intended supervisor. 

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WORK SCHEDULE

Registration –13 Feb 2012 Research/experimental work and

writing of 1st draft : Feb- April 2012 ; should start the experiment.

1st draft EE to supervisor : 30 April 2012 Final draft : 10 Aug 2012 Submission to Head of Department – 30

Aug 2012

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Good Luck!!

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