How to write a plan and design experiment

Below is a sample of a P&D lab and all relevant sections to provide clarity on each section.
Date
Problem Statement
Students were given green limes and yellow limes and asked which limes would have the highest
level of acidity.
Hypothesis
Yellow limes have the highest level of acidity.
Aim (based on procedure used)
 To measure the pH level of lime juice obtained from yellow limes and from green limes
(this would be appropriate if the procedure involved the use of a pH meter)

 To measure the volumes of standard NaOH solution used in the titration between the
NaOH and the lime juice from each colour lime (appropriate if the procedure involved a
titration)
Apparatus and Materials
List all apparatus and materials that would be used based on the procedure e.g. with the lab using
a pH meter would involve pH meter, measuring cylinders, beakers, lime juice from different
colour limes
Method
Instructional manner, logical sequence, feasible
Variables
 Controlled - volume of lime juice used,
 Manipulated - types of limes used (stage of maturity)
 Responding – pH reading (yes she said controlled but the term constant can be used as
well)
Expected Results
Lime juice from yellow limes would give the lower pH reading
Variable.

DATA TO BE COLLECTED. Quantitative or qualitative information gathered from the investigation.

These must be present in an appropriate manner, using a table with accurate descriptive title, it
should be underline, written in capital letters and centered above the table. Appropriately label each
column and row using the correct unit. Measurement using consistent decimal places.

Treatment of results
(Linking of expected results to hypothesis) If lime juice from yellow limes give the lower
pH reading, then the lime juice of yellow limes is more acidic and the hypothesis is correct
Sources of errors / Assumptions / Limitations (any two points from any area)

Limitations are not always recognisable depending on the type of P&D lab, therefore
themarkers/moderators are not stringent on the area that the two points are based.
Assumption - there are no other substances besides citric acid present affects the acidity of the
lime juice.

Source of error - Not rinsing the pH meter thoroughly between testing of lime juice from
different colour limes.

Experiment TITLE

1 Particulate nature of matter (Diffusion)

2 Particulate nature of matter (Osmosis)

3 Solubility
4 Separation technique (Chromatography)

5 Separation technique (filtration and evaporation)

6 Separation technique

7 Bonding

(watch video)
8 Acids, Base and Salt (Preparation of salts)

(what video)

Experiment: # 6

A forged check was identified on campus and the local crime lab needs your help. They are
backlogged with cases and hope your knowledge of chemistry can be put to use. There are four
suspects and pens have been confiscated. Determine which pen wrote the forged check, if any at
all.

Experiment # 9

Students were given three types citrus fruit and asked which fruit would have the highest level of
acidity. Plan and design an experiment to determine which citrus fruit has the highest level of
acidity.