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Greystanes High School

Greystanes High School

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Emailgreystanes-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Year 12 Chemistry Excursion to Lachlan Macquarie College

Students on Chemistry Excursion

On the 22nd of June, Year 12 Chemistry students and Ms Pillay embarked on a journey to Lachlan Macquarie College at Western Sydney Parramatta  for various experiments. On arrival, we were put into groups and sent into the laboratories 

The first experiment involved using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The Atomic Absorption Spectrometer measures the concentrations of elements. Atomic absorption is so sensitive that it can measure down to parts per billion of a gram (µg dm–3) in a sample. The technique makes use of the wavelengths of light specifically absorbed by an element. Different metals absorb at different wavelengths of ultraviolet or visible light.  The more concentrated the element, then the higher the absorbance values and these results are used to prepare a calibration graph. The absorbance of the unknown is measured and the concentration was determined from the calibration graph. 

We used a popular sports drink to analyse its sodium (Na) concentration. Greystanes High school competed with several other schools.

By Year 12 Chemistry students 2018