Skip to content

Organic nomenclature lab answers for A Level chemistry (free PDF download)

  • by

The method and the results are on the organic nomenclature lab. Do the analysis yourself first, then check the answers below.

Quick answer: IUPAC nomenclature names an organic compound from its longest carbon chain, its functional group and its substituents, with numbers giving their positions. These answers go with the Chemistry 11-12 lab on organic nomenclature: the graph, the calculations, the uncertainties and the conclusion explained, for all 7 analysis questions.

Organic nomenclature lab answers for A Level chemistry (free PDF download)

Here are the organic nomenclature lab answers for chemistry grades 11-12: graph, calculations, uncertainties and conclusion. First do the lab yourself, then compare, and go back to the lesson if needed.

These model answers use the sample data in the table. Your own angles will differ a little, but the rotation should rise in a straight line with concentration and the unknown should fall between the standards.

Level: Chemistry grades 11-12 (A Level · IB · Class 11-12) · Curriculum: IB S3.2

Organic nomenclature lab answers: the analysis explained

Question 1 Graph

The points lie on a straight line through the origin, so rotation is directly proportional to concentration.

Question 2 Specific rotation

Slope = Σ(αc) ÷ Σc² = (0.7 + 2.6 + 5.7 + 10.8) ÷ 0.30 = 19.8 ÷ 0.30 = 66° dm⁻¹ cm³ g⁻¹.

Question 3 Unknown concentration

c = α ÷ slope = 16 ÷ 66 = 0.24 g cm⁻³.

Question 4 Longer tube

Rotation is proportional to length, so 2.0 dm gives 2 × 19° = 38°.

Question 5 Enantiomers

Each enantiomer rotates light by the same angle in opposite directions. In a racemic mixture the rotations cancel exactly, giving zero net rotation.

Question 6 Uncertainty

Percentage uncertainty = (1 ÷ 7) × 100 = 14 %, large because the angle is small.

Question 7 Improvement

Use a longer tube (for example 20 cm) to increase the angles, and read the angle with a finer scale or mean of several readings. Keep the lamp and filters fixed between tests.

← Back to the organic nomenclature lab

Physics and chemistry textbooks to download in PDF, from grade 6 to AP Physics and AP Chemistry

Follow us