Forensics C

User avatar
haverstall
Member
Member
Posts: 218
Joined: February 25th, 2011, 9:52 am
Division: Grad
State: MN
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by haverstall »

Well, unless NY has different rules for Forensics (which might be possible), I've never done a CO2 test before. I would suggest revamping your flowchart-it sounds like you're basically using a previous copy, which isn't a problem. But sometimes it is best to create your own flowchart just so you have more familiarity with it.
Mounds View Science Olympiad 2008-2012 || 6th, Remote Sensing, 2011 Nationals

Co-Tournament Coordinator of Gopher Science Olympiad Invitational
Co-Chair of Minnesota Science Olympiad Alumni
fatcamels
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: February 3rd, 2014, 4:28 pm
Division: C
State: NJ
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by fatcamels »

The rule sheet says "each student may bring one 8.5" x 11" two-sided page of notes containing information in any form from any source" Does this mean we get up to 2 notesheets?
iwonder
Admin Emeritus
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 1115
Joined: May 10th, 2011, 8:25 pm
Division: Grad
State: TX
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Forensics C

Post by iwonder »

Yup, one per person, but we really just share both of them during the contest. You won't know what to do with the extra space ;)
'If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room' - Unknown
User avatar
BoldlyGoingNowhere
Member
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: January 7th, 2012, 7:45 am
Division: C
State: IL
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by BoldlyGoingNowhere »

csattom wrote:On the flow chart to test for powders that we have it list to perform a co2 test. Which we have been unable to figure out how to perform.
For a powder test, you don't technically have to use anything. Perhaps it's useful, but only use what you need. I've been in this event for three years and never even heard of a CO2 test, so I wouldn't bother.
They can take away everything you have, but they can't take your ability to fight.
User avatar
BoldlyGoingNowhere
Member
Member
Posts: 29
Joined: January 7th, 2012, 7:45 am
Division: C
State: IL
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by BoldlyGoingNowhere »

Can anyone explain how to study mass spectra? I never have understood that part of this event.
They can take away everything you have, but they can't take your ability to fight.
darkwinters
Member
Member
Posts: 40
Joined: December 3rd, 2013, 6:14 pm
Division: C
State: IL
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by darkwinters »

BoldlyGoingNowhere wrote:Can anyone explain how to study mass spectra? I never have understood that part of this event.
I haven't been able to find much on it.

From what I have seen, it really is just a matter of comparing peaks (and knowing that the area underneath spikes gives you the relative concentrations of those elements).

Does anyone know how to test for a difference between sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate?
vxpvm
Member
Member
Posts: 10
Joined: November 9th, 2013, 8:49 pm
Division: C
State: CA
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by vxpvm »

http://www.chem.arizona.edu/massspec/ this is a nice place to start if you want to learn how to read them, but I would also suggest just memorizing the appearance of the mass spectra of common compounds like acetone or isopropyl alcohol. Use pH for sodium bicarbonate vs sodium carbonate.
spackenkillkid
Member
Member
Posts: 5
Joined: January 19th, 2014, 11:42 am
Division: C
State: NY
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by spackenkillkid »

darkwinters wrote:
BoldlyGoingNowhere wrote:Can anyone explain how to study mass spectra? I never have understood that part of this event.
I haven't been able to find much on it.

From what I have seen, it really is just a matter of comparing peaks (and knowing that the area underneath spikes gives you the relative concentrations of those elements).

Does anyone know how to test for a difference between sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate?
PH is incredibly useful for NaHCO3 and NaCO3. There's a clear color difference. Sodium Carbonate is incredibly basic, so very dark blue, while NaHCO3 is a medium green. The only pH confusion would be possible with NaHCO3 and NaC2H3O2, but HCl makes that very easy.
spackenkillkid
Member
Member
Posts: 5
Joined: January 19th, 2014, 11:42 am
Division: C
State: NY
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by spackenkillkid »

Also, does anyone know how powder samples will be provided? I'm assuming small plastic vials.
vxpvm
Member
Member
Posts: 10
Joined: November 9th, 2013, 8:49 pm
Division: C
State: CA
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Forensics C

Post by vxpvm »

spackenkillkid wrote:Also, does anyone know how powder samples will be provided? I'm assuming small plastic vials.
I've usually gotten samples in little Ziploc baggies or small plastic containers, but there's always a sufficient amount to do all the tests you need.
Locked

Return to “2014 Lab Events”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest