Being successful in your IB DP Chemistry Internal Assessment (IA) heavily depends on selecting the right investigation to study. Choosing an appropriate investigation involves several key factors that contribute to a well-executed project that aligns with the expectations of the IB program. Follow the link for more details: 10 “Golden Rules” for success in your IBDP Chemistry Internal Assessment (IA)

• Synthesis of Aspirin: Investigating the kinetics of the hydrolysis of aspirin to salicylic acid under various conditions and exploring alternative syntheses using microwaves or purification by melting point and TLC. (Independent variable: reaction conditions or synthesis methods)

• Production of Hydrogen Peroxide: Studying the generation of hydrogen peroxide using a photosensitizer like riboflavin and redox reactions. (Independent variable: photosensitizer concentration or light intensity)

• Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions: Analyzing nucleophilic substitution reactions using TLC, with quantitation achievable by using a simple flatbed scanner. (Independent variable: reaction conditions or substrates)

• Thermodynamics and Kinetics of ‘Heater Meals’: Examining the thermal and kinetic properties of self-heating meals. (Independent variable: changing the ratio of chemicals)

• Investigating Kinetics of Dye Bleaching: Analyzing the kinetics of the bleaching of a dye using a colorimeter probe. (Independent variable: dye concentration, bleach concentration or temperature)

• Transition Metal Ion Colors: Studying the effects of metals, ligands, and oxidation states on the color of transition metal ions. (Independent variable:concentrations, metal ions, ligands, or oxidation states)

• Natural Indicators: Exploring sources, stability, K_a values, and endpoint range of natural pH indicators. (Independent variable: indicator source or pH range)

• The Amount of Nitrogen in Fertilizers when exposed to different environmental temperatures or light levels: Determining the nitrogen content in fertilizers by reacting with excess NaOH and titrating with standard HCl. (Independent variable: storage temperature or exposure to light)

• Thermodynamic Data for Ionic Compounds: Investigating the K_sp, enthalpy of solution, and other thermodynamic properties of ionic compounds through gravimetric determination or other methods. (Independent variable: ionic compound or reaction conditions)

• The Effect of Cooking Method on Vitamin C Content: Examining the impact of different cooking times on the vitamin C content in various foods. (Independent variable: cooking times)

• The Effect of Temperature on the pH of Ascorbic Acid Solutions: Investigating the influence of temperature on the acidity of ascorbic acid solutions. (Independent variable: temperature or ascorbic acid concentration)

• Effectiveness of Different Salts on Road Snow Removal: Comparing the efficiency of various salts in melting snow on roads. (Independent variable: salt concentration)

• Melting Points of Group 2 Metals compounds: Investigating the melting points of group 2 metals and the relationship with their crystal lattice structures. (Independent variable: group 2 metal compound or crystal lattice type)

• Effectiveness of Water Purification Methods: Evaluating the efficiency of different water purification techniques on removing dissolved ions. (Independent variable: purification method or water source)

• Iodine Numbers of Cooking Oils: Comparing the iodine numbers of cooking oils after being heated for an amount of time or heated to different temperatures. (Independent variable: Temperature or time)

• Investigating Fluorescence: Studying the fluorescence properties of turmeric, B complex vitamins, minerals, and household items. (Independent variable: fluorescent substance concentration, effect of oxidation, or excitation wavelength)

• Thermal Denaturation of Proteins: Investigating the effect of UV light on the thermal denaturation of proteins. (Independent variable: time or UV light intensity)

• Solidification Techniques and Materials: Exploring various solidification methods and materials involved in the process. (Independent variable: time to react or temperature)

• Distribution Constant of Iodine: Investigating the distribution constant of iodine between aqueous and non-aqueous systems, which can be expanded to calculate ΔG. (Independent variable: time for distribution, the temperature or iodine concentration)

• The Use of Fruits/plants to Chelate Heavy Metals: Investigating the potential of different fruits to chelate heavy metals like cadmium from polluted water sources. (Independent variable: fruit type or heavy metal concentration)

• Determination of Residual Chlorine Concentration: Assessing the residual chlorine concentration in water samples at varying distances from a water treatment plant. (Independent variable: distance from the plant or chlorine concentration)

• Henna as an Effective Indicator: Investigating the potential of henna as a pH indicator. (Independent variable: henna concentration or pH range)

• Effect of Roasting on Caffeine Content: Studying the impact of roasting on the caffeine content or acidity of coffee beans. (Independent variable: roasting time or roast temperature)

• Iron Content in Ripening Avocados: Examining the change in iron content in avocados as they ripen. (Independent variable: ripening stage or avocado variety)

• The Effect of Increased Carbon Dioxide on Saltwater Acidification: Investigating the impact of elevated carbon dioxide levels on the acidification of saltwater. (Independent variable: carbon dioxide concentration or water salinity)

• Investigating EDTA Content in Shower Cleaners: Analysing the effectiveness of EDTA concentration to chelate heavy metals or chlorine. (Independent variable: EDTA concentration, heavy metal concentration)

• In-depth Kinetics Investigation: Conducting a comprehensive investigation into the kinetics of a specific chemical reaction. (Independent variable: reaction conditions or reactants)

• Investigating Gases in Overheated Water from Microwaves: Examining the composition and behavior of gases released from water overheated in a microwave. (Independent variable: water temperature or microwave power level)

• Synthesis of Dulcin from Tylenol: Investigating the synthesis of the sweetener Dulcin from the analgesic Tylenol, with an opportunity to use titration as a method for analysis. (Independent variable: reaction conditions or synthesis methods/reaction times)

• The Determination of Activation Energy: Investigating the relationship between temperature and the rate constant of a reaction to determine the activation energy. (Independent variable: temperature or reactant concentrations)

• The Effect of Metal Surface Composition on Hydrogen Discharge Overvoltage: Studying the dependence of overvoltage on the composition of a metal surface at which hydrogen discharge occurs, bubble lifetime, and EMF. (Independent variable: metal surface composition or electrolyte solution)

• The Effect of Temperature on Protein Denaturation: Investigating the impact of temperature on the denaturation of various proteins. (Independent variable: temperature or protein type)

• Oxygen Content in Water at Different Temperatures: Investigating the effect of temperature on the oxygen content in water using the Winkler method. (Independent variable: water temperature)

• Changing the Salinity of Water to Measure Oxygen Content: Investigating the effect of varying salinity levels on the oxygen content in water using the Winkler method. (Independent variable: water salinity or temperature)

Database Internal Assessments

• Investigating Bond Dissociation Enthalpies: Using NIST or other online databases to examine trends in C-H, N-H, and O-H bond dissociation enthalpies. (Independent variable: bond type or molecular structure)

• Comparing Experimental and Predicted Compound Structures: Comparing experimental data related to compound structures with values predicted by software such as MOPAC, WebMO, or GAMESS. (Independent variable: compound type or computational method)

• Investigating Intermolecular Forces with Software: Analyzing intermolecular forces using computational software such as SAPT. (Independent variable: molecular structure or force type)

• Isotope Effects on Vibrational Spectra: Investigating the impact of isotopes on vibrational spectra and comparing experimental results with predictions made by programs like Spartan Student, Molden, or Tinker. (Independent variable: isotope type or molecular structure)

• Analyzing Environmental Topics from Databases: Exploring environmental issues using databases from EPA, European Environment Agency, United Nations Environment Programme, Database of Environmental Education Related Organizations Among Asian Countries, or NETROnline. (Independent variable: environmental topic or data source)

• Comparing Drug Structures and Properties: Analyzing the relationship between the structures of drugs and their various properties using large databases such as drugbank.ca or https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chembldb/. (Independent variable: drug type or property)

• Free Chemistry Database Exploration: Investigating various chemical properties, reactions, or trends using one of the 64 free chemistry databases listed at http://depth-first.com/articles/2011/10/12/sixty-four-free-chemistry-databases/. (Independent variable: database choice or chemical property)

• Solubility and Molecular Mass/Hydroxyl Groups Relationship: Exploring the relationship between the molecular mass or the number of hydroxyl groups within a chemical compound and its solubility in water. (Independent variable: molecular mass or hydroxyl group count)

What makes these excellent Internal Investigations for IBDP chemistry?

1. Cover a wide range of chemical concepts: These topics encompass various chemical principles, such as redox reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and organic synthesis, allowing students to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical experiments.
2. Develop practical skills: By engaging in hands-on experiments, students develop essential laboratory skills, such as titration, chromatography (TLC), and colorimetry, which are crucial for their success in chemistry coursework and future careers.
3. Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving: These investigations require students to design experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions based on their findings. This process helps to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for success in any field.
4. Apply chemistry to real-world situations: Many of the investigations involve everyday materials and situations (e.g., food, pharmaceuticals, water purification) that demonstrate the relevance of chemistry to students’ lives and society as a whole.
5. Offer opportunities for interdisciplinary connections: Some of the investigations involve concepts from other disciplines, such as biology (e.g., proteins, plants) and physics (e.g., UV light), promoting a broader understanding of the interconnectedness of scientific knowledge.
6. Foster creativity and curiosity: These investigations provide students with the opportunity to explore less conventional approaches (e.g., using microwaves for chemical synthesis) and engage in open-ended inquiries, fostering a spirit of curiosity and creativity.
7. Allow for personalization and differentiation: With a wide range of topics to choose from, students can select investigations that align with their interests and strengths, promoting greater engagement and motivation.
8. Enhance communication and presentation skills: By conducting these investigations, students have the opportunity to develop their scientific communication and presentation skills, as they are required to document their findings, interpret results, and present their conclusions in a clear and concise manner.
9. Promote collaboration and teamwork: Many of these investigations can be conducted in groups, allowing students to collaborate and learn from their peers, which is an essential skill for success in higher education and the workplace.
10. Prepare students for future academic and career pursuits: Engaging in these internal investigations helps students develop the foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences they will need for success in higher-level chemistry courses and careers in chemistry-related fields.

• Practical Science