research questions chemistry

100+ Great Chemistry Research Topics

Table of contents

• 1 What are the best chemistry research topics?
• 2 5 Tips for Writing Chemistry Research Papers
• 3 Chemical Engineering Research Topics
• 4 Organic Сhemistry Research Topics
• 5 Іnorganic Сhemistry Research Topics
• 6 Biomolecular Сhemistry Research Topics
• 7 Analytical Chemistry Research Topics
• 8 Computational Chemistry Research Topics
• 9 Physical Chemistry Research Topics
• 10 Innovative Chemistry Research Topics
• 11 Environmental Chemistry Research Topics
• 12 Green Chemistry Research Topics
• 13.1 Conclusion

Do you need a topic for your chemistry research paper? Are you unsure of where to start? Don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll go over a series of the best chemistry research paper topics as well as Tips for Writing Chemistry Research Papers on different topics. By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll have plenty of ideas to get started on your next research project!

There are many different subfields of chemistry, so it can be tough to find interesting chemistry topics to write about. If you’re struggling to narrow down your topic, we’ll go over lists of topics in multiple fields of study.

What are the best chemistry research topics?

Doing research is important to help scientists learn more about the world around us. By researching different compounds and elements, we can learn more about how they interact with one another and how they can be used to create new products or improve existing ones.

There are many different topics that you can choose to research in chemistry. Here are just a few examples:

• The history of chemistry and how it has evolved over time
• How different chemicals react with one another
• How to create new compounds or improve existing ones
• The role of chemistry in the environment
• The health effects of different chemicals

5 Tips for Writing Chemistry Research Papers

Once you have chosen a topic for your research paper , it is important to follow some tips to ensure that your paper is well-written and accurate. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Start by doing some background research on your topic. This will help you understand the basics of the topic and give you a good foundation to build your paper on.
• Make sure to cite all of the sources that you use in your paper. This will help to show where you got your information and will also help to add credibility to your work.
• Be sure to proofread your paper before you submit it. This will ensure that there are no errors and that your paper is clear and concise.
• Get help from a tutor or friend if you are struggling with your paper. They may be able to offer helpful advice or feedback.
• Take your time when writing your research paper . This is not a race, and it is important to make sure that you do a good job on your research.

By following these tips, you can be sure that your chemistry research paper will be a success! So what are you waiting for? Let’s go over some of the best research paper topics out there.

Chemical Engineering Research Topics

Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and application of chemical processes. If you’re wondering how to choose a paper topic, here are some ideas to inspire you:

• How to create new alloy compounds or improve existing ones
• The health effects of the food industry chemicals
• Chemical engineering and sustainable development
• The future of chemical engineering
• Chemical engineering and the food industry
• Chemical engineering and the pharmaceutical industry
• Chemical engineering and the cosmetics industry
• Chemical engineering and the petrochemical industry

These are just a few examples – there are many more possibilities out there! So get started on your research today. Who knows what you might discover!

Organic Сhemistry Research Topics

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing molecules. There are many different organic chemistry research topics that a student could choose to focus on and here are just a few examples of possible research projects in organic chemistry:

• Investigating new methods for synthesizing chiral molecules
• Studying the structure and reactivity of carbon nanotubes
• Investigating metal complexes with organometallic ligands
• Designing benzene derivatives with improved thermal stability
• Exploring new ways to control the stereochemistry of chemical reactions
• Studying the role of enzymes in organic synthesis
• Investigating new strategies for combating drug resistance
• Developing new methods for detecting explosives residues
• Studying the photochemistry of organic molecules
• Studying the behavior of organometallic compounds in biological systems

Іnorganic Сhemistry Research Topics

Inorganic Chemistry is the study of the chemistry of materials that do not contain carbon. Unlike other chemistry research topics, these include elements such as metals, minerals, and inorganic compounds. If you are looking for inorganic chemistry research topics on inorganic chemistry, here are some ideas to get you started:

• How different metals react with one another
• How to create new alloys or improve existing ones
• The role of inorganic chemistry in the environment
• Inorganic chemistry and sustainable development
• The future of inorganic chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry and the food industry
• Inorganic chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry
• Atomic structure progressive scale grading
• Inorganiс Сhemistry and the cosmetics industry

Biomolecular Сhemistry Research Topics

Biomolecular chemistry is the study of molecules that are important for life. These molecules can be found in all living things, from tiny bacteria to the largest animals. Researchers who work in this field use a variety of techniques to learn more about how these molecules function and how they interact with each other.

If you are looking for essential biomolecular chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• The structure and function of DNA
• The structure and function of proteins
• The role of carbohydrates in the body
• The role of lipids in the body
• How enzymes work
• The role of biochemistry in heart disease
• Cyanides and their effect on the body
• The role of biochemistry in cancer treatment
• The role of biochemistry in Parkison’s disease treatment
• The role of biochemistry in the immune system

The possibilities are endless for someone willing to dedicate some time to research.

Analytical Chemistry Research Topics

Analytical Chemistry is a type of chemistry that helps scientists figure out what something is made of. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as spectroscopy or chromatography. If you are looking for research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• How food chemicals react with one another
• Mass spectrometry
• Analytical aspects of gas and liquid chromatography
• Analytical chemistry and sustainable development
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy methods and best practices
• Analytical chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry in Ibuprofen consumption
• Analytical chemistry and the cosmetics industry in UV protectors
• Dispersive x-ray analysis of damaged tissues

Analytical chemistry is considered by many a complex science and there is a lot yet to be discovered in the field.

Computational Chemistry Research Topics

Computational chemistry is a way to use computers to help chemists understand chemical reactions. This can be done by simulating reactions or by designing new molecules. If you are looking for essential chemistry research topics in computational chemistry, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Molecular mechanics simulation
• Reaction rates of complex chemical reactions
• Designing new molecules: how can simulation help
• The role of computers in the study of quantum mechanics
• How to use computers to predict chemical reactions
• Using computers to understand organic chemistry
• The future of computational chemistry in organic reactions
• The impacts of simulation on the development of new medications
• Combustion reaction simulation impact on engine development
• Quantum-chemistry simulation review

Computers are cutting-edge technology in chemical research and this relatively new field of study has a ton yet to be explored.

Physical Chemistry Research Topics

Physical chemistry is the study of how matter behaves. It looks at the physical and chemical properties of atoms and molecules and how they interact with each other. If you are looking for physical chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Standardization of pH scales
• Structure of atom on a quantum scale
• Bonding across atoms and molecules
• The effect of temperature on chemical reactions
• The role of light in in-body chemical reactions
• Chemical kinetics
• Surface tension and its effects on mixtures
• The role of pressure in chemical reactions
• Rates of diffusion in gases and liquids
• The role of entropy in chemical reactions

Here are just a few samples, but there are plenty more options! Start your research right now!

Innovative Chemistry Research Topics

Innovative chemistry is all about coming up with new ideas and ways to do things. This can be anything from creating new materials to finding new ways to make existing products. If you are looking for ground-breaking chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Amino acids side chain effects in protein folding
• Chemistry in the production of nanomaterials
• The role of enzymes in chemical reactions
• Photocatalysis in 3D printing
• Avoiding pesticides in agriculture
• Combining chemical and biological processes
• Gene modification in medicinal chemistry
• The role of quantum mechanics in chemical reactions
• Astrochemical research on extraterrestrial molecules
• Spectroscopy signatures of pressurized organic components

If you need a hand, there are several sites that also offer research papers for sale and can be a great asset as you work to create your own research papers.

Whatever route you decide to take, good luck! And remember – the sky’s the limit when it comes to research! So get started today and see where your studies may take you. Who knows, you might just make a breakthrough discovery!

Environmental Chemistry Research Topics

Environmental Chemistry is the study of how chemicals interact with the environment. This can include anything from the air we breathe to the water we drink. If you are looking for environmental chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Plastic effects on ocean life
• Urban ecology
• The role of carbon in climate change
• Air pollution and its effects
• Water pollution and its effects
• Chemicals in food and their effect on the body
• The effect of chemicals on plant life
• Earth temperature prediction models

A lot of research on the environment is being conducted at the moment because the environment is in danger. There are a lot of environmental problems that need to be solved, and research is the key to solving them.

Green Chemistry Research Topics

Green chemistry is the study of how to make products and processes that are environmentally friendly. This can include anything from finding new ways to recycle materials to developing new products that are biodegradable. If you are looking for green chemistry research topics, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Recycling and reuse of materials
• Developing biodegradable materials
• Improving existing recycling processes
• Green chemistry and sustainable development
• The future of green chemistry
• Green chemistry and the food industry
• Green chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry
• Green chemistry and the cosmetics industry

A more environmentally friendly world is something we all aspire for and a lot of research has been conducted on how we can achieve this, making this one of the most promising areas of study. The results have been varied, but there are a few key things we can do to make a difference.

Controversial Chemistry Research Topics

Controversial chemistry is all about hot-button topics that people are passionate about. This can include anything from the use of chemicals in warfare to the health effects of different chemicals. If you are looking for controversial topics to write about , here are some ideas to get you started:

• The use of chemicals in warfare
• Gene modification in human babies
• Bioengineering
• How fast food chemicals affect the human brain
• The role of the government in regulating chemicals
• Evolution of cigarette chemicals over time
• Chemical effects of CBD oils
• Antidepressant chemical reactions
• Synthetic molecules replication methods
• Gene analysis

Controversial research papers often appear in the media before it has been peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal. The reason for this is that the media is interested in stories that are new, exciting, and generate a lot of debate.

Chemistry is an incredibly diverse and interesting field, with many controversial topics to write about. If you are looking for a research topic, consider the examples listed in this article. With a little bit of effort, you are sure to find a topic that is both interesting and within your skillset.

In order to be a good researcher, it is important to be able to think critically and solve problems. However, innovation in chemistry research can be challenging. When thinking about how to innovate, it is important to consider both the practical and theoretical aspects of your research. Additionally, try to build on the work of others in order to create something new and unique. With a little bit of effort, you are sure to be able to find a topic that is both interesting and within your skillset.

Happy writing!

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Chemistry IA ideas (30+ topics) - Topic Description & Analysis Included!

Unlock the secrets to ace your Chemistry IA with our exclusive list of over 30+ IA Ideas! Get ready to impress your examiner & boost your grades with Nail IB.

Table of content

Ib chemistry ia ideas - stoichiometry , ib chemistry ia ideas - calorimetry , ib chemistry ia ideas - chemical kinetics, ib chemistry ia ideas - organic chemistry, ib chemistry ia ideas - periodicity, ib chemistry ia ideas - equilibrium.

The struggle involved in making one’s IB Chemistry IA is real and is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging IAs to score in. The trouble stems from inadequate information relevant to the IB Chemistry syllabus. And just when you’ve landed on an IB Chemistry IA idea of your interest, the question of whether your research topic is solid and original starts shooting up your stress levels! Topics ranging from a field as vast as Organic Chemistry to anything associated with Chemical Kinetics, opting for the right IB Chemistry IA topic can take quite a toll on one’s working capacity. 

The good news, however, is that tens of thousands of IB Chemistry students like yourself go through the same process of topic-hunting for their Chemistry IA. Besides, no one expects you to come up with a brand new groundbreaking research idea on your IB Chemistry IA; all you’ve got to take care of are the following essential points:

• Your IB Chemistry IA will be evaluated based on - Personal Engagement, Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, and Communication. Among these, Personal Engagement refers to your choice of IB Chemistry IA idea and how well you can understand and engage with the same.
• Your IB Chemistry IA topic should be relevant to the IB Chemistry curriculum but not an easy-peasy research question you can look up quickly in your textbook. Being the scientific assessment it is, your background research is expected to be solid and can set a benchmark. It doesn’t have to be a marvel in the respective field, but the approach should be unique, not plain or copied. 
• Why does selecting your IB Chemistry IA topic wisely become so important?
• Your IB Chemistry IA is your mini-research project that  accounts for   20% of your total grade. 
• Your research question sets the base for your overall performance as it states the aim and context of your IA. Your IB Chemistry IA research question, in turn, can only be effectively framed once the topic you pick for your IA is inspired by past experiments and investigation ideas.   
• Your IB Chemistry IA idea should help you aim at a specific research question and help you develop a proper methodology for your investigation.  

Your IB Chemistry IA is the ideal chance to put your knowledge and investigation skills to work without facing the pressure of written exams. Your topic need not be unique; all that is required of you is to go for a standard, tested IB Chemistry IA topic but approach your research from a fresh, personal perspective. It isn’t a piece of cake but a process that needs your time and effort. You must meet the criteria of IB IA’s science requirements; you needn’t invent a new IB Chemistry IA idea; you must investigate an existing idea with a fresh perspective.  

To help you on this tedious IB Chemistry IA topic hunting, here we are with 30+ Chemistry IA ideas to guide your respective IB Chemistry IA journeys! Every view listed below allows you to put on your thinking cap, cover a basic experimental thesis, and then modify it according to your take on the particular concept. 

Here’s an assortment of 30+ IB Chemistry IA topics, classified by the broader field of the subject it falls under: 

Determining the value of Absolute Zero

• Determining how the volume of a gas changes with a temperature change to calculate Absolute Zero. 

Explore the drug content in tablets. 

How does the concentration of ethanoic acid-present in vinegar, as determined by acid-base titration - get affected by a change in temperature while cooking?

Investigate the Vitamin C content of different food products.

• By redox titration, one can determine the amount of iodine solution required for the complete oxidation of the vitamin C and thereby infer the vitamin C content.
• Also, the amount of time taken for different food products to cook and the method used is reported to affect the vitamin C content. 

Investigate the amount of Iodine content in Iodinated Salt.

• By redox titration, one can determine the amount of sodium thiosulphate required to reduce iodine to Iodide ions. One can further investigate what effect temperature have on the iodine content calculated via titration. 

Explore the percentage of Copper content in Brass.

• Redox Titration (Iodometric Titration- Copper(I) Iodide and Sodium thiosulphate solution) to determine the percentage of Copper in different types of Brass.

Explore Water of Crystallisation.

• Acid-Base Titration to determine water crystallization. 

Investigate the synthesis of sweetener Dulcin from Paracetamol. 

Analyze different EDTA contents of several shower cleaners.

Calculating Molar Volume of Hydrogen.

• To calculate the standard molar volume of hydrogen, opt for a barometric method using Dalton’s Law. The reaction between Zinc and Hydrochloric Acid will help determine the same.

Investigating Enthalpy changes.

• Using Calorimetry to analyze the enthalpies of combustion, say - ethanol, ethanoic acid, and ethanol.

Determine the relationship between the enthalpy of hydration, enthalpy of the solution, and lattice enthalpy by applying Calorimetry and Hess’ Law. 

Use Calorimetry to verify that the enthalpy of neutralization of different acids and alkalis is 55KJ mol^-1.

Explore how calories are affected by cooking in saturated and unsaturated vegetable oils using Calorimetry. 

Calculating the Activation energy of a Chemical Reaction.

• Determine the rate of the chemical reaction at various temperatures and then calculate the Activation energy using an Arrhenius plot. 

Explore the pKa values of several natural indicators.

Hydrolysis of Aspirin - Investigation, and Analysis.

• How does the rate of hydrolysis of Aspirin change with a change in pH and temperature?

Analyzing several conditions under which lipase is denatured.

• Investigating pH, temperature, and light effects to verify which factor has the maximum impact. 

Investigate the speeds of several chemical reactions using a Spectrometer. 

Investigating the stability of unsaturated fats.

• Measuring Iodine numbers of common vegetable oils to determine how light and temperature affect their stability.

Explore common reactions such as Williamson Ether Synthesis. 

Investigate the products of nitration of various aromatic compounds using Infrared Spectroscopy.

Determine the relationship between charge density and the thermal stability of different carbonates. Explore VSPER theory. To devise a trend, use microscale chemistry to explore the solubility behavior of halides.  Use Spectrophotometry to analyze the fluorescence of chlorophyll and other different pigments.  Using simulation software, investigate the effect of atomic radius and halogen electronegativity on halogenoalkanes.

Using gas chromatography to calculate the Gibbs Energy for esterification reaction between ethanol and propanoic acid.

• Determine the equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction by measuring the ester concentration in the esterification mixture.

IB Chemistry IA Ideas - Electrochemistry

Investigating the optimal conditions involved in electroplating metals, considering various factors.

Establish a relationship, if it exists, between Gibbs energy change and Ionisation Energy using voltammetry for Electrochemical cells. 

And that's not all! 

Listed below are a few more miscellaneous IB Chemistry IA ideas to help you sort your interests and frame a research question on a topic of your choice, keeping in mind the personal engagement criterion to give your IA a unique perspective:

How does roasting coffee affect its caffeine content?

Explore the calcium content of several milk brands. 

Investigate fertilizers for their nitrogen levels/content. 

Investigate bond enthalpy trends.

• Examine how bond-enthalpy(amount of energy needed to break one mole of the bond in gaseous molecules) varies with bond length and how the bond length varies across different molecules. Modeling/simulation software can be used. 

Examine the effect of a reactant's surface area on the reaction's rate. 

Calculate the amount of oxalate in different food products like spinach using redox titration.

Investigate the Oxygen Content in Water.

• The oxygen content from several water samples can be calculated using the Winkler method (redox titration using sodium thiosulphate).
• Further, investigate the effect of temperature and pH on oxygen content. 

Examine the endothermic reactions optimal for cooling packs using simple Calorimetry. 

Examine the kinetics and thermodynamics of "Heater meals."

Investigate and explore the effectiveness of various brands of salts for snow removal.

Analyze the effect of changing temperature on the formation of rust on different steel objects.

Examine the effect of increased carbon dioxide on the acidification of saltwater.

Determine how different boiling durations affect the amount of ascorbic acid in yellow bell peppers. 

Examine the material properties of the different allotropes of Carbon, say- Diamond and Graphite (common ones).

Determine how the pH of water affects the adsorption extent of activated charcoal. 

Calculate the moles of chalk needed for you to write down your name on the board. 

During the combustion of aliphatic mono-alcohols, how does the enthalpy change with the change in the number of carbon atoms? 

Use thermal decomposition to determine the formula of an unknown metal salt.

Make use of Polarimetry to investigate, examine and analyze Isomerism.

How do the energy contents of several packaged foods differ from the printed values?

And that's a wrap for now! 

We listed a few tested, specific IB Chemistry IA ideas that can assist you massively while fighting the fear of appearing original on your assessment! 

We can't stress this enough: 

You don't have to research a novel idea; you must authentically go about your project research!

Choosing the perfect IB Chemistry IA topic seems like a monumental task. Even though you've got to be efficient as you browse through ideas, the complete process can be much easier if you approach it methodically. Once you have a great IB Chemistry IA topic in your hand, evaluate your existing research, examine the loopholes, and go through the following key points before you conduct your research on a topic. 

Key Takeaways for obtaining an entire grade on your IB Chemistry IA are compiled below:

• You need to ask yourself, "Is my Chemistry IA topic closely related to my IB Chemistry syllabus?" 
• You need to figure out for yourself if the Chemistry IA topic genuinely interests you or not. 
• Make sure that the scientific context of your project is specific, explicit, and supported by your background research. 
• The apparatus, skills, and techniques required should be determined beforehand. 

Nail IB is the go-to resource providing a platform for all the students who will take their IB exams in the future! We understand how difficult it is to look for and settle on an IB IA topic, as it makes for a great deal of your final score. 

Do you need help selecting IB IA topics for other subjects? 

Check out our  blogs  and  resources  for different subjects to quickly grab those IA marks and ultimately excel on your IB! 

For a clearer perspective on the entire IA assembling process, check out more blogs on  Nail IB  and hustle towards success! 

IB Resources you will love!

Nan + free ib flashcards, -1 + free ia samples, nan + ib videos by experts, -1 + ib sample practice questions, ib resources for nan + subjects.

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• ACS Publications

28 Must-Read Topics in Chemistry

• Mar 4, 2021
• 14 min read

ACS Publications regularly produces collections of the most important chemistry research topics. These Virtual Collections of the most important chemistry research topics bring together the most important ideas in the field in a variety of ways, including Special Issues and ACS Selects from across the portfolio journals. These collections reflect the most important chemistry research […]

ACS Publications regularly produces collections of the most important chemistry research topics. These Virtual Collections of the most important chemistry research topics bring together the most important ideas in the field in a variety of ways, including Special Issues and ACS Selects from across the portfolio journals. These collections reflect the most important chemistry research topics of current scientific interest and are designed for experienced investigators and educators alike.

Browse 28 of the most important, engaging topics in chemists with Virtual Collections released by ACS Publications journals in Q4 2020:

Crystalline molecular materials: from structure to function.

This Virtual Special Issue focuses on the design and study of materials wherein the target properties arise from, or are enhanced by, the three-dimensional assembly of molecules in a solid phase. The “structure−function” relationship transcends the nature of the individual molecule, and supramolecular organization is a key component in the material’s properties. The goal of this issue is to assemble contributions from a broad community of scientists with similar research interests, as defined by the need to understand and manipulate the bulk assembly of molecules. Placing emphasis on a common interest in supramolecular architecture, this issue showcases work in apparently disparate fields, including molecule-based magnetism, rare zero thermal expansion properties, and catalytic activity.

Read the Issue. ***

Materials for Thermoelectric Energy Conversion

This virtual issue of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and ACS Applied Energy Materials presents cutting edge articles in the field of Thermoelectric Energy Conversion. Thermoelectric materials and devices are central for energy conversion and management as they convert waste heat into electricity. Given the ubiquitous nature of heat, thermoelectric materials provide total-package solutions to mitigate environmental crisis and energy needs. The realization of this has caused a surge in the development of high-performance, environmentally benign, robust, and earth-abundant inorganic materials, which can be used in heat to electrical energy generations in power plants, space, automobiles, households, battery technology, and data centers. Interestingly, flexible thermoelectric materials, mainly based on organic/polymer materials, have successfully been integrated into body-worn fabrics and watches, which simply utilize body heat to generate electricity. Furthermore, using the Peltier effect, thermoelectric coolers are developed and are one of the mainstays in the consumer market for refrigeration purposes, especially for portable applications. Hence, thermoelectricity is foreseen as a potential frontrunner in energy management for the near future.

Interfacialscience Developments at the Chinese Academy of Sciences

This virtual issue is a sampling of some of the most recent work from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with an emphasis on work from this year (2020) so far. The 46 articles in this virtual issue cover a broad range of research topics, examples of which include Janus particle engineering and interfacial assembly, surface modification of colloid particles, stability of water monolayer in mineral under high pressure, nano-bubbles adsorption on surface, switching of underwater superhydrophilicity and superoleophobicity, nanostructured de-icing surface, lithium ion battery anode binder, bio-inspired smart liquid directional transport control, corrosion resistance of alloys, behavior of polymers at solid/liquid interface, and effect of polymer conformation on protein resistance.

Celebrating 90% Completion of the Human Proteome

Twenty years after the establishment of the international Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) and ten years after its launch of the Human Proteome Project (HPP), researchers have much to celebrate. Today, HUPO will release the draft human proteome at the 19th Human Proteome Organization World Congress, connecting virtually, with this Virtual Issue published in the Journal of Proteome Research.

Read the Issue . ***

Nanomaterials-based Membranes for Chemical Separations

Membranes are a critical area of research in academia and have been used in industrial applications for decades. Membrane-based separations are desired in industry because they can be highly energy efficient and up to an order of magnitude less expensive than other techniques such as distillation. In addition, these separations are easily scaled to industrial levels so that advances in the laboratory can be translated to real applications. The key challenges in this field are how to separate chemicals with similar sizes by having a high flux for only one chemical through a membrane. This difference in flux should translate into a high selectivity for one chemical over one or more other chemicals present in a mixture. An unfortunate trade-off in membrane-based separations is that as the permeation of a chemical increases, the selectivity of the membrane will often decrease. To address these challenges, scientists often use cross-linked polymers with ill-defined pores, hard materials such as zeolites with well-defined pores, 2D materials, coated nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, or other nanomaterials.

Organic Chemistry in China: Synthetic Methodology, Natural Products, and More

During the past 20 years, China has become a powerhouse in chemistry research, now leading globally in submissions of research articles to chemical journals. In recognizing these developments, Organic Letters presents a Virtual Issue that includes a collection of 25 research articles contributed by Chinese chemists during 2019-2020, selected from among the more than 1,000 articles published in the journal from China over this period.

Advances in Microfluidics Research

This Virtual Issue highlights articles published in Analytical Chemistry that showcase advances in microfluidics research over the past several years. The articles below are separated by sub-field and span research on virus detection to cell manipulation to 3D-printing, and are all at the cutting edge of microfluidics technologies. The thirty articles included in this collection were selected by Associate Editor Yoshinobu Baba and include previous winners of the Chemical & Biological Microsystems Society (CBMS)/ Analytical Chemistry co-sponsored Young Innovator Award.

Chemistry in Korea: IBS and Beyond

This virtual issue of “Chemistry in Korea: IBS and Beyond” highlights the latest contributions from eight IBS centers along with exciting advances from other emerging scientists in South Korea. Topics encompass a wide range of chemistry and its cross-boundary researches from theory and simulations, nanomaterials, molecular synthesis, catalysts, spectroscopy, supramolecular chemistry, soft materials to nanomedicine.

Highlighting Analytical Chemistry 2020 Advisory Board Members

The members of Analytical Chemistry ‘s Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) and Early Career Board (ECB) panels devote substantial voluntary time and energy to support Analytical Chemistry and deserve special recognition for their contributions. In recognition of their service, this new virtual issue is dedicated to the members of both the journal’s EAB and ECB, with each selecting one of their recent Analytical Chemistry articles to highlight.

A Bright New World of Ferroelectrics: Magic of Spontaneous Polarization

Ferroelectric materials featured with spontaneous polarization have experienced a century of vigorous development. The permanent electric dipole moment makes ferroelectric an outstanding multifunctional material for a wide range of applications. Ferroelectrics with unique coupling effects among electric, optical, mechanical, thermal, and magnetic orders, have been developed for a wide range of functional devices and triggered a new world-wide wave of ferroelectric research. This virtual issue highlights some of the key state-of-the-art findings in ferroelectrics published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and ACS Applied Electronic Materials , and the editorial attempts to reflect the rapid development and provide a perspective in this field.

Peter J. Rossky Festschrift

This Virtual Special Issue honors Professor Peter J. Rossky and his contributions to the field of physical chemistry.

Computational and Experimental Advances in Biomembranes

As an integral component of cellular architecture and signalling, cell membranes are central to cell physiology. Comprising a vastly heterogeneous mixture of proteins and lipids, cell membranes are constantly adapting their structural organization to regulate cellular processes. Malfunction at the level of lipid-protein interaction is implicated in numerous diseases, and hence, understanding cell membrane organization at the molecular level is of critical importance. The collection of articles in this Virtual Special Issue from The Journal of Physical Chemistry B provides a survey of the advances in both computational and experimental characterization of the complex processes underlying the behavior of cellular membranes.

Sensors and Industry

In this virtual issue, ACS Sensors and Analytical Chemistry highlight 30 of these outstanding industrial co-authored papers recently published in the two journals. The breadth of the articles in this collection emphasizes the incredible research on diagnostic methods being performed in both universities and industries, and highlights the benefits of collaboration between the two. Read the Issue . ***

Machine Learning in Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry stands today at an exciting transition state where the integration of machine learning and data science tools into all corners of the field is poised to do nothing short of revolutionizing the discipline. These powerful techniques – when appropriately combined with domain knowledge, tools, and expertise – have led to new physical insights, better understanding, accelerated discovery, rational design, and inverse engineering that transcend traditional approaches to materials, molecular, and chemical science and engineering. This collection of nearly 150 manuscripts from The Journal of Physical Chemistry A / B / C and The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters reflects the relevance and popularity of this topic in physical chemistry by both the depth and breadth of excellent articles in this exciting collection.

Self-Healing Materials

This is a spotlight on applications discusses developments made over the last six years that have enabled the fabrication of increasingly high-performance spray-coated perovskite solar cells. In particular, the various approaches adopted to spray-cast perovskite films (one-step vs two-step processes) ware charted and the development of sophisticated techniques used to control thin-film crystallinity is described. Finally, remaining research challenges are discussed that, once solved, may allow the mass deployment of low-cost solar energy.

Women in Mass Spectrometry

This virtual issue was assembled to feature talented women mass spectrometrists who publish in JASMS as the corresponding author. The articles compiled are among the most highly cited that were published in the journal in the last 5 years, regardless of gender, and are representative of the best mass spectrometry science reported in JASMS .

In Memory of Mario Molina (1943-2020)

Mario Molina was a Mexican chemist who shared the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry with the late F. Sherwood Rowland of UC Irvine and Paul Crutzen of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz “for their work in atmospheric chemistry particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone.” Molina passed away in his birth city of Mexico City at age 77 on 7 October 2020. A physical chemist at heart, Molina published about 80 papers in The Journal of Physical Chemistry . His mentees remember him by celebrating 30 of them. His indelible legacy lives on through his publications, his collaborators, the scholars that he trained, the innovations in experimental design he made, the thousands who were inspired and informed by his science communication, and the millions whose quality of life improved thanks to his work on stratospheric ozone depletion and air quality in megacities.

Women Scientists at the Forefront of Energy Research: A Virtual Issue, Part 3

This is the third part of a series that recognizes women energy researchers who have published new advances from their laboratories in ACS Energy Letters . The inspirational stories and advice to newcomers in the field contained in this issue should provide motivation to advance the scientific research in energy conversion and storage. Through their personal reflections, these researchers discuss the successful career paths they have taken to become leaders in the scientific community.

Scalable Organic Chemistry: A Virtual Issue to highlight Organic Process Research & Development

From small-scale use in academic research to large-scale application in industrial processes, only select chemistries make the cut to be relevant throughout the scale-up process. This virtual issue showcases a collection of innovative and industrially-relevant papers on key topics from academic and industrial chemists in Organic Process Research & Development .

Virtual Issue in Memoriam of Dr. Alan Poland (1940-2020)

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Deep Eutectic Solvents

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Celebrating ACS Sensors ‘ Editorial Advisory Board

Metal-Organic Frameworks: Fundamental Study and Applications

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Inorganic Synthesis in Uncommon Reaction Media

Water and organic solvents have long been the most common reaction media for chemical synthesis. Nevertheless, given limits in solubility and the need for extreme temperatures sometimes, especially for inorganic substances, chemists have had a growing interest in moving to “uncommon” reaction media to improve the access to certain compounds or to permit the fundamental study of the behavior of chemicals under unique conditions. In this Virtual Issue, “Inorganic Synthesis in Uncommon Reaction Media,” Guest Editor Julia Chan and Associate Editor Stefanie Dehnen highlight recent reports from Inorganic Chemistry and additionally from Chemistry of Materials and Crystal Growth & Design that feature reactions taking place in currently used uncommon systems: molten metals (metal flux), molten salts (nonmetal flux), ionic liquids (ionothermal if carried out under elevated temperatures), supercritical solvents (solvothermal), and liquefied gases.

The Challenge of Antibacterial Drug Permeation and Current Advances

Recent advances in the area of drug permeation feed the pipeline of antibacterial agents with new and improved activities and keep the ever-changing landscape of antibiotic resistance effectively managed by small molecule therapeutics. The articles included in this Virtual Issue broadly represent three areas of research: 1) new experimental approaches to analyze intracellular accumulation of compounds in whole cells and compound permeation across model membranes; 2) new computational models of drug permeation across the outer membrane and integrated kinetic models of drug permeation across membranes with active efflux; and 3) new antibiotic screening campaigns and exploration of synergistic drug combinations bypassing bacterial permeation barriers.

Organic Chemistry in Japan: A Strong Foundation and Honorable Tradition

Organic chemistry has a strong foundation and honorable tradition in Japan, centering in recent decades predominantly on the development of synthetic methodologies, particularly in an interdisciplinary fashion focusing on cross-coupling and C-H activation and functionalization, the total synthesis of natural products, chemical biology research, supramolecular chemistry, and applications of (opto)electronic materials—all with an eye toward fostering international collaborations. This new Organic Letters Virtual Issue features 25 selected articles form 2019-2020 to highlight these achievements.

This virtual issue in Environmental Science & Technology ( ES&T ) marks the 50-year anniversary of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Recognizing this significant milestone brings an opportunity to reflect on the enormous achievements and impact this federal agency has had on the remediation and protection of the environment, reaching both domestically within the USA and globally since its official beginnings on December 2nd, 1970.

Bioconjugate Chemistry 30th Anniversary Reviews

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Choosing a Chemistry IA Research Question

Choosing a Research Question for the Internal Assessment

Confused about what a Research Question is? This guide will help you understand what they are and how to pick a good one.

The Internal Assessment (IA) is a mini-research project. It is an opportunity to show-off your chemistry skills and knowledge and investigate interesting ideas without the pressure and constraints of the written exams.

The IA requires you to design and carry out an original investigation into a topic of interest related to IB chemistry, then produce a 6 – 12 page report of your findings. Worth 20% (the same as paper 1), the project and report should be of a high standard – the very best ones are of university research standard.

Central to your IA is the research question , around which your entire project revolves.

What is a research question?

Your research question states the aim and context of your investigation. It may be phrased as a statement or a question and it can be in more than one part, provided that each part is properly defined and focused on a common aim.

Importantly, it needs to be fully focused and clear , meaning someone reading it should understand what you investigated, the context, and what you did experimentally. The research question should not simply be a restatement of your project title.

Choosing your research question

The research question is a focused summary of your project aims, so the process of choosing one and refining it ensures you’ve thought properly about your project and is a good exercise to go through.

The flow diagram below is one I’ve used with my past students to help them identify their research question, variables and hypothesis:

To use this method:

• Think about the ‘big idea’ behind your potential project and identify the chemical reaction at its centre. (Note that for projects involving measurements of physical properties or molecular modelling, you might have a physical system or a molecule instead of a chemical reaction).
• Think about which factors will affect the reaction, focusing on only those that are relevant and that can be measured and controlled
• Determine what it is you will deliberately change, how you will change it ( e.g. how many values), and what you are going to measure as the outcome

Research question variables

Your research question should contain your independent and dependent variables (note this is a recommendation, not a rule).

• Independent variable : the thing you are going to deliberately change in order to see the outcome.
• Dependent variable : the variable you will measure.

You will also need to identify controlled variables, which are things that if not controlled and kept constant, will potentially affect the experimental outcome.

It’s vitally important that your independent variable is scientific and quantifiable ( i.e. you can measurably vary it).

Here are some examples of weak or uninteresting independent variables and how they could be improved:

Is the research question different to a hypothesis?

You should be able to generate a hypothesis describing how your dependent variable will change for a given number of independent variable values (usually, a range of 3-5 values).

So, what’s a hypothesis? It’s your prediction about the outcome of your experiment. Your hypothesis predicts how your independent variable will affect the outcome (dependent variable). You then test the prediction by experiment and will either find your results support your research question hypothesis, or don’t support it.

Refining your research question

Suppose a student wants to investigate whether “superfoods” contain more vitamin C than other foods (this sort of food chemistry project is popular).

Here are some of their potential research questions:

• Vitamin C content of vegetables – this is a project title, not a research question
• Analysis of vitamin C in vegetables – this is not focused enough
• Analysis of vitamin C content of superfoods using redox titration – this is better but the focus is unclear
• Using redox titration to determine whether the vitamin C concentration of so-called superfoods is higher than normal vegetables – this is better since it’s fully-focused, provides context for the investigation and contains the dependent variable.

But wait, this is NOT a good project idea!

The independent variable here is type of vegetable. This is not a quantifiable variable ! The outcome of the project is not rooted in scientific principles that can be investigated and correlated, so this would be a weak IA.

You must choose a project where you will change something over a range of values and then measure an outcome.

Tablet brands or types of fruits are not independent variables. There is specific guidance on this in the Science IA Guidelines, which state: “ The straightforward comparison of two organisms or “brands” probably represents a weak RQ since the underlying cause of any difference does not arise from any scientific principle ”.

Avoid weak and poorly-connected RQs

IAs sometimes seem to have a weak connection between the research question and what was actually done. This often occurs when a student wants to research a ‘big question’ that involves complex systems, many variables, and would realistically take a year to investigate. Because they can’t do that, they end up taking the ‘big question’ and reducing it down to a more mundane research question. Here are some examples:

Meeting the personal engagement criteria

• Ensure your project is something you are genuinely curious about and can show that in your report
• Ensure that you take ownership of the project and steer it using your own initiative
• Ensure that it’s clear in your report that you have engaged with your chose topic
• Be creative in your approach to designing your experimental programme

Don’t just copy an existing IA you found online, such as one from my list here !

Meeting the originality criteria

You have to pick a project that enables you to show initiative and creativity, and that is demanding to investigate.

• It must not involve experiments where the outcome is well-known and well-documented (what’s the point of investigating it?)
• It therefore can’t be a commonplace school science experiment.
• It should be more challenging and original than the class practicals you should have done as part of the chemistry IB

It also shouldn’t be something you can find the answer to in you IB chemistry textbook or in the IB chemistry data booklet e.g. how surface area affects reaction rate or determining the enthalpy of combustion of butane

Which projects work well?

Projects that can often be reliably executed are physical chemistry projects involving data collection experiments. Often, you will be able to find very reproducible experimental procedures that you can adapt for your project idea For example:

• measuring rates of reaction
• measuring activation energies
• determining enthalpy changes by calorimetry
• titrations (acid-base or redox) to determine unknowns
• spectroscopy or colorimetry to investigate mineral, vitamin or ion concentrations

However, just because physical chemistry projects tend to work well in the lab and produce good results, it does not mean you are guaranteed to get a top mark by picking one. You are marked on the quality of your research and report, not just how well the experiments worked and how good your results are.

Project selection questions

To help choose a good IA, it’s a good idea to ask yourself the following questions about your project:

• Is your topic relevant to the IB chemistry syllabus?
• Do you have genuine curiosity for this topic and will you be able to communicate that in your report?
• Is your research question suitably demanding with a strong scientific setting?
• Will your research question allow you to show creativity and initiative in the project?
• Is your project original?
• If the project is novel and risky, are you likely to be able to satisfy the assessment criteria in other ways?
• Are the project outcomes non-obvious?
• Will you be able to complete the project in around ten hours?
• Can you show that the scientific context for your project is clear, valid and supported by your background research?
• Have you carried out a risk assessment to identify potential health and safety issues?
• Is the project feasible on ethical grounds? (it cannot involve any animal experimentation for example)
• What are the main apparatus, skills and techniques required?
• Are the required apparatus and chemicals available and not too expensive?
• Do you need to learn any new experimental techniques to carry out your project?
• Will the project generate data that you can analyse and present in your report?
• Will you need to use secondary data?
• Can you demonstrate maths and graphing skills in your report?
• What are your main experimental errors and how can you plan for these?
• How will you ensure your results are reliable?
• How will you ensure fair-testing?

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Undergraduate Research in Chemistry Guide

Research is the pursuit of new knowledge through the process of discovery. Scientific research involves diligent inquiry and systematic observation of phenomena. Most scientific research projects involve experimentation, often requiring testing the effect of changing conditions on the results. The conditions under which specific observations are made must be carefully controlled, and records must be meticulously maintained. This ensures that observations and results can be are reproduced. Scientific research can be basic (fundamental) or applied. What is the difference? The National Science Foundation uses the following definitions in its resource surveys:

• Basic research The objective of basic research is to gain more comprehensive knowledge or understanding of the subject under study, without specific applications in mind. In industry, basic research is defined as research that advances scientific knowledge but does not have specific immediate commercial objectives, although it may be in fields of present or potential commercial interest.
• Applied research Applied research is aimed at gaining knowledge or understanding to determine the means by which a specific, recognized need may be met. In industry, applied research includes investigations oriented to discovering new scientific knowledge that has specific commercial objectives with respect to products, processes, or services.

Get on the path to graduate school with our comprehensive guide to selecting an institution and preparing for graduate studies.

What is research at the undergraduate level?

At the undergraduate level, research is self-directed work under the guidance and supervision of a mentor/advisor ― usually a university professor. A gradual transition towards independence is encouraged as a student gains confidence and is able to work with minor supervision. Students normally participate in an ongoing research project and investigate phenomena of interest to them and their advisor. In the chemical sciences, the range of research areas is quite broad. A few groups maintain their research area within a single classical field of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, chemical education or theoretical chemistry. More commonly, research groups today are interdisciplinary, crossing boundaries across fields and across other disciplines, such as physics, biology, materials science, engineering and medicine.

What are the benefits of being involved in undergraduate research?

There are many benefits to undergraduate research, but the most important are:

• Learning, learning, learning. Most chemists learn by working in a laboratory setting. Information learned in the classroom is more clearly understood and it is more easily remembered once it has been put into practice. This knowledge expands through experience and further reading. From the learning standpoint, research is an extremely productive cycle.
• Experiencing chemistry in a real world setting. The equipment, instrumentation and materials used in research labs are generally more sophisticated, advanced, and of far better quality than those used in lab courses
• Getting the excitement of discovery. If science is truly your vocation, regardless of any negative results, the moment of discovery will be truly exhilarating. Your results are exclusive. No one has ever seen them before.
• Preparing for graduate school. A graduate degree in a chemistry-related science is mostly a research degree. Undergraduate research will not only give you an excellent foundation, but working alongside graduate students and post-doctorates will provide you with a unique opportunity to learn what it will be like.

Is undergraduate research required for graduation?

Many chemistry programs now require undergraduate research for graduation. There are plenty of opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research, either during the academic year, summer, or both. If your home institution is not research intensive, you may find opportunities at other institutions, government labs, and industries.

What will I learn by participating in an undergraduate research program?

Conducting a research project involves a series of steps that start at the inquiry level and end in a report. In the process, you learn to:

• Conduct scientific literature searches
• Read, interpret and extract information from journal articles relevant to the project
• Design experimental procedures to obtain data and/or products of interest
• Operate instruments and implement laboratory techniques not usually available in laboratories associated with course work
• Interpret results, reach conclusions, and generate new ideas based on results
• Interact professionally (and socially) with students and professors within the research group, department and school as well as others from different schools, countries, cultures and backgrounds
• Communicate results orally and in writing to other peers, mentors, faculty advisors, and members of the scientific community at large via the following informal group meeting presentations, reports to mentor/advisor, poster presentations at college-wide, regional, national or international meetings; formal oral presentations at scientific meetings; or journal articles prepared for publication

When should I get involved in undergraduate research?

Chemistry is an experimental science. We recommended that you get involved in research as early in your college life as possible. Ample undergraduate research experience gives you an edge in the eyes of potential employers and graduate programs.

While most mentors prefer to accept students in their research labs once they have developed some basic lab skills through general and organic lab courses, some institutions have programs that involve students in research projects the summer prior to their freshman year. Others even involve senior high school students in summer research programs. Ask your academic/departmental advisor about the options available to you.

How much time should I allocate to research?

The quick answer is as much as possible without jeopardizing your course work. The rule of thumb is to spend 3 to 4 hours working in the lab for every credit hour in which you enroll. However, depending on the project, some progress can be achieved in just 3-4 hours of research/week. Most advisors would recommend 8-10 hours/week.

Depending on your project, a few of those hours may be of intense work and the rest may be spent simply monitoring the progress of a reaction or an instrumental analysis. Many research groups work on weekends. Saturdays are excellent days for long, uninterrupted periods of lab work.

How do I select an advisor?

This is probably the most important step in getting involved in undergraduate research. The best approach is multifaceted. Get informed about research areas and projects available in your department, which are usually posted on your departmental website under each professor’s name.

Talk to other students who are already involved in research. If your school has an ACS Student Chapter , make a point to talk to the chapter’s members. Ask your current chemistry professor and lab instructor for advice. They can usually guide you in the right direction. If a particular research area catches your interest, make an appointment with the corresponding professor.

Let the professor know that you are considering getting involved in research, you have read a bit about her/his research program, and that you would like to find out more. Professors understand that students are not experts in the field, and they will explain their research at a level that you will be able to follow. Here are some recommended questions to ask when you meet with this advisor:

• Is there a project(s) within her/his research program suitable for an undergraduate student?
• Does she/he have a position/space in the lab for you?
• If you were to work in her/his lab, would you be supervised directly by her/him or by a graduate student? If it is a graduate student, make a point of meeting with the student and other members of the research group. Determine if their schedule matches yours. A night owl may not be able to work effectively with a morning person.
• Does she/he have funding to support the project? Unfunded projects may indicate that there may not be enough resources in the lab to carry out the project to completion. It may also be an indication that funding agencies/peers do not consider this work sufficiently important enough for funding support. Of course there are exceptions. For example, a newly hired assistant professor may not have external funding yet, but he/she may have received “start-up funds” from the university and certainly has the vote of confidence of the rest of the faculty. Otherwise he/she would not have been hired. Another classical exception is computational chemistry research, for which mostly fast computers are necessary and therefore external funding is needed to support research assistants and computer equipment only. No chemicals, glassware, or instrumentation will be found in a computational chemistry lab.
• How many of his/her articles got published in the last two or three years? When prior work has been published, it is a good indicator that the research is considered worthwhile by the scientific community that reviews articles for publication. Ask for printed references. Number of publications in reputable refereed journals (for example ACS journals) is an excellent indicator of the reputation of the researcher and the quality of his/her work.

Here is one last piece of advice: If the project really excites you and you get satisfactory answers to all your questions, make sure that you and the advisor will get along and that you will enjoy working with him/her and other members of the research group.

Remember that this advisor may be writing recommendation letters on your behalf to future employers, graduate schools, etc., so you want to leave a good impression. To do this, you should understand that the research must move forward and that if you become part of a research team, you should do your best to achieve this goal. At the same time, your advisor should understand your obligations to your course work and provide you with a degree of flexibility.

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to do your best on both course work and research. Make sure that the advisor is committed to supervising you as much as you are committed to doing the required work and putting in the necessary/agreed upon hours.

What are some potential challenges?

• Time management . Each project is unique, and it will be up to you and your supervisor to decide when to be in the lab and how to best utilize the time available to move the project forward.
• Different approaches and styles . Not everyone is as clean and respectful of the equipment of others as you are. Not everyone is as punctual as you are. Not everyone follows safety procedures as diligently as you do. Some groups have established protocols for keeping the lab and equipment clean, for borrowing equipment from other members, for handling common equipment, for research meetings, for specific safety procedures, etc. Part of learning to work in a team is to avoid unnecessary conflict while establishing your ground to doing your work efficiently.
• “The project does not work.” This is a statement that advisors commonly hear from students. Although projects are generally very well conceived, and it is people that make projects work, the nature of research is such that it requires patience, perseverance, critical thinking, and on many occasions, a change in direction. Thoroughness, attention to detail, and comprehensive notes are crucial when reporting the progress of a project.

Be informed, attentive, analytical, and objective. Read all the background information. Read user manuals for instruments and equipment. In many instances the reason for failure may be related to dirty equipment, contaminated reagents, improperly set instruments, poorly chosen conditions, lack of thoroughness, and/or lack of resourcefulness. Repeating a procedure while changing one parameter may work sometimes, while repeating the procedure multiple times without systematic changes and observations probably will not.

When reporting failures or problems, make sure that you have all details at hand. Be thorough in you assessment. Then ask questions. Advisors usually have sufficient experience to detect errors in procedures and are able to lead you in the right direction when the student is able to provide all the necessary details. They also have enough experience to know when to change directions. Many times one result may be unexpected, but it may be interesting enough to lead the investigation into a totally different avenue. Communicate with your advisor/mentor often.

Are there places other than my institution where I can conduct research?

Absolutely! Your school may be close to other universities, government labs and/or industries that offer part-time research opportunities during the academic year. There may also be summer opportunities in these institutions as well as in REU sites (see next question).

Contact your chemistry department advisor first. He/she may have some information readily available for you. You can also contact nearby universities, local industries and government labs directly or through the career center at your school. You can also find listings through ACS resources:

• Research Opportunities (US only)
• International Research Opportunities
• Internships and Summer Jobs

What are Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) sites? When should I apply for a position in one of them?

REU is a program established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support active research participation by undergraduate students at host institutions in the United States or abroad. An REU site may offer projects within a single department/discipline or it may have projects that are inter-departmental and interdisciplinary. There are currently over 70 domestic and approximately 5 international REU sites with a chemistry theme. Sites consist of 10-12 students each, although there are larger sites that supplement NSF funding with other sources. Students receive stipends and, in most cases, assistance with housing and travel.

Most REU sites invite rising juniors and rising seniors to participate in research during the summer. Experience in research is not required to apply, except for international sites where at least one semester or summer of prior research experience is recommended. Applications usually open around November or December for participation during the following summer. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. Some REU sites with supplementary funds from other sources may accept international students that are enrolled at US institutions.

• Get more information about REU sites

How do I prepare a scientific research poster?

Here are some links to sites with very useful information and samples.

• How to Prepare a Proper Scientific Paper or Poster
• Creating Effective Poster Presentations
• Designing Effective Poster Presentations

Research and Internship Opportunities

• Internships and Fellowships Find internships, fellowships, and cooperative education opportunities.
• SCI Scholars Internship Program Industrial internships for chemistry and chemical engineering undergraduates.
• ACS International Center Fellowships, scholarships, and research opportunities around the globe

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Develop your research question

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• Assignment Help

STEP 1: Understand your research objective

Before you start developing your research question, think about your research objectives:

• What are you trying to do? (compare, analyse)
• What do you need to know about the topic?
• What type of research are you doing?
• What types of information/studies do you need? (e.g. randomised controlled trial, case study, guideline, protocol?)
• Does the information need to be current?

Watch the following video (6:26) to get you started:

Key points from the video

• All good academic research starts with a research question.
• A research question is an actual question you want to answer about a particular topic.
• Developing a question helps you focus on an aspect of your topic, which will streamline your research and writing.
• Pick a topic you are interested in.
• Narrow the topic to a particular aspect.
• Brainstorm some questions around your topic aspect.
• Select a question to work with.
• Focus the question by making it more specific. Make sure your question clearly states who, what, when, where, and why.
• A good research question focuses on one issue only and requires analysis.
• Your search for information should be directed by your research question.
• Your thesis or hypothesis should be a direct answer to your research question, summarised into one sentence.

STEP 2: Search before you research

The benefits of doing a background search :

• You can gather more background knowledge on a subject
• explore different aspects of your topic
• identify additional keywords and terminology

STEP 3: Choose a topic

The resources linked below are a good place to start: 

• UpToDate It covers thousands of clinical topics grouped into specialties with links to articles, drugs and drug interaction databases, medical calculators and guidelines.
• An@tomedia This online anatomy resource features images, videos, and slides together with interactive, educational text and quiz questions.
• Anatomy.tv Find 3D anatomical images; functional anatomy animations and videos, and MRI, anatomy, and clinical slides. Test your knowledge through interactive activities and quizzes.

STEP 4: Brainstorm your questions

Now you have explored different aspects of your topic, you may construct more focused questions (you can create a few questions and pick one later).

Learn more: 

• Clear and present questions: formulating questions for evidence based practice (Booth 2006) This article provides an overview of thinking in relation to the theory and practice of formulating answerable research questions.

STEP 5: Pick a question and focus

Once you have a few questions to choose from, pick one and refine it even further.

Are you required to use "PICO"?

• PICO worksheet
• Other frameworks

The PICO framework (or other variations) can be useful for developing an answerable clinical question. 

The example question used in this guide is a PICO question:   How does speech therapy compare to cognitive behavioural therapy in improving speech fluency in adolescents?

Use the interactive PICO worksheet to get started with your question, or you can download the worksheet document.

• Building your question with PICO

Here are some different frameworks you may want to use:

There are a number of PICO variations which can be used for different types of questions, such as qualitative, and background and foreground questions. Visit the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Guide to learn more:

• Evidence Based Practice guide
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Collection 

Open Questions in Chemistry

In spite of decades of research and the enormous progress made, chemists continue to grapple with poorly understood aspects of the world around us. Indeed, many fundamental questions remain— will we ever get to the bottom of the different structures of ice, or pinpoint the origins of life on Earth, or obtain a full picture of the complexity of carbon-based molecules in space?

This Collection aims to uncover open questions across the breadth of the chemical sciences. Each Comment article provides an overview of a focused field of research, identifies key open questions, and gives expert opinion on how challenges in answering these questions might be overcome. Our hope is that this series will be of interest to the chemistry community as a whole, and that it will stimulate those working in or adjacent to the research fields that are covered to think about some of the open questions that invite further study.

While the below Comment articles delve into a wide range of important and exciting topics, when one considers the breadth of ongoing research in fundamental areas of chemistry, we have only just begun to scratch the surface. We look forward to publishing more in this series in the months and years to come, and invite experts to submit their own contributions to this exciting Collection.

• Collection content
• How to submit
• About the Editors
• About this Collection

Open questions in chemistry

Today, Communications Chemistry launches a series of Comment articles discussing key open questions in specific fields of fundamental chemical research. Here we outline the aims of this series and highlight each contribution within.

Organic chemistry and chemical biology

Open questions on liquid–liquid phase separation

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) underlies the formation of intracellular membraneless compartments in biology and may have played a role in the formation of protocells that concentrate key chemicals during the origins of life. While LLPS of simple systems, such as oil and water, is well understood, many aspects of LLPS in complex, out-of-equilibrium molecular systems remain elusive. Here, the author discusses open questions and recent insights related to the formation, function and fate of such condensates both in cell biology and protocell research.

• Evan Spruijt

Open questions on proteins interacting with nanoclusters

Interfacing ultrasmall metal nanoclusters (NCs) with proteins can present a dual opportunity: proteins can be used for protecting NCs, and the surface ligands of NCs may interact with proteins. Here, the authors identify and discuss remaining open questions surrounding the bio-NC interface that call for future research efforts.

• Rodolphe Antoine
• Dusica Maysinger
• Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký

Open questions on the transfer of chirality

The transfer of chiral information from optically pure reaction components to products can generate enantiomerically-enriched molecules, but the control of stereochemistry often proves challenging. Here, the author highlights how our fundamental understanding of stereocontrol has evolved and discusses possible approaches for the rational development of enantioselective catalysts.

• Jolene P. Reid

Open questions in understanding life’s origins

The chemical space of prebiotic chemistry is extremely large, while extant biochemistry uses only a few thousand interconnected molecules. Here we discuss how the connection between these two regimes can be investigated, and explore major outstanding questions in the origin of life.

• Christopher J. Butch
• Markus Meringer
• H. James Cleaves II

Open questions in functional molecular topology

Molecular knots are evolving from academic curiosities to a practically useful class of mechanically interlocked molecules, capable of performing unique tasks at the nanoscale. In this comment, the author discusses the properties of molecular knots, and highlights future challenges for chemical topology.

• Fredrik Schaufelberger

Open questions in organic crystal polymorphism

Polymorphs, crystals with different structure and properties but the same molecular composition, arise from the subtle interplay between thermodynamics and kinetics during crystallisation. In this opinion piece, the authors review the latest developments in the field of polymorphism and discuss standing open questions.

• Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza
• Neil Feeder
• Roger J. Davey

Open questions in chemical glycobiology

Glycans are ubiquitous in biology, but their complex structure and biosynthesis have challenged research of their wide-ranging roles. Here, the authors comment on current trends on the role of chemical methodologies in the field of glycobiology.

• Mia I. Zol-Hanlon
• Benjamin Schumann

Inorganic chemistry

Open questions on bonding involving lanthanide atoms

In-depth understanding of the bonding characteristics of the lanthanide ions in contemporary lanthanide-based materials is mandatory for tailoring their properties for novel applications. Here, the authors elaborate on open questions regarding the bonding situation in mainly molecular lanthanide (4f) compounds, where, as compared to their actinide (5f) analogs in which covalency of the bonds is a common feature, this is still under discussion for the 4f compounds.

• P. W. Roesky

Open questions in boron species with globally 4 n π systems

The Hückel rule defines that monocyclic and planar conjugated systems containing [4 n  + 2] π electrons are aromatic. Here, the authors highlight boron species that feature a globally 4 n π system, defying the Hückel rule, but nonetheless exhibit aromaticity.

Open questions on chemistry in the synthesis and characterization of superheavy elements

Superheavy elements are ideal for furthering our understanding of relativistic effects and how they affect physicochemical properties of heavy elements. In this comment, the author discusses the role of chemistry in the synthesis of new elements before addressing the future challenges concerning the chemical characterization of superheavy elements.

• Patrick Steinegger

Open questions on the transition between nanoscale and bulk properties of metals

Nanoscience has progressed tremendously in the exploration of new phenomena not seen in bulk materials, however, the transition between nanoscale and bulk properties is not yet fully understood. Here the authors identify and discuss remaining open questions that call for future efforts.

• Rongchao Jin
• Tatsuya Higaki

Open questions on the environmental chemistry of radionuclides

Understanding the biogeochemistry of radionuclides in the environment is essential for effective isolation of nuclear waste in repositories, management of contaminated sites, ensuring long-term protection of our ecosystems, and limiting impacts on human health. Here the authors discuss the extreme complexity of this multidimensional chemistry problem, highlighting the outstanding open questions for the next generations of environmental radiochemists.

• Gauthier J.-P. Deblonde
• Annie B. Kersting
• Mavrik Zavarin

Open questions on aromaticity in organometallics

While sp 2 -hybridized carbon atoms in hydrocarbons typically contribute only one electron to their aromaticity, metals have more electrons from d or f orbitals available for participating in conjugation in organometallics, complicating the electron counting as well as analysis of their aromaticity. Here, the author comments on the challenges towards understanding aromaticity in organometallics and outlines several remaining questions that have yet to be answered.

Open questions in low oxidation state group 2 chemistry

The chemistry of stable low oxidation state group 2 metal compounds was initiated in 2007 and has since expanded rapidly, yielding many surprises. Here the author outlines advances in the field and discusses some of the open questions and challenges that remain to be answered in coming years.

• Cameron Jones

Open questions on the biological roles of first-row transition metals

First-row transition metals play several roles in biological processes and in medicine, but can be toxic in high concentrations. Here the authors comment on the sensitive biochemistry and speciation chemistry of the first-row transition metals, and outline some of the remaining questions that have yet to be answered.

• Debbie C. Crans
• Kateryna Kostenkova

Open questions in transplutonium coordination chemistry

Over the past decade, momentous progress has been made in the characterization of late actinide compounds. Here the authors highlight how advances in spectroscopic and computational tools have developed our understanding of fundamental transplutonium bonding interactions, and discuss whether covalency and heterogeneity changes in 5f-orbital bonding could be harnessed in environmentally and industrially relevant systems.

• Korey P. Carter
• Roger M. Pallares
• Rebecca J. Abergel

Physical chemistry

Open questions in attochemistry

Attosecond science is nowadays a well-established research field, and table-top attosecond sources based on high-harmonic generation are routinely used to access electronic motion in matter at its natural time scale. Here, the authors describe a new way of doing chemistry—attochemistry—by directly acting on the electronic motion, and discuss a few key open questions in this emerging field.

• Francesca Calegari
• Fernando Martin

Open questions on carbon-based molecules in space

It has been a great joint achievement of astronomy, laboratory spectroscopy and quantum chemistry to identify interstellar molecules in various astronomical environments and piece together their origins story from the fragmented evidence. Here the authors provide a sketch of what we know and motivate the asking of open questions on carbon-based molecules in space.

• Christopher S. Hansen
• Els Peeters
• Timothy W. Schmidt

Open questions on emergence in chemistry

Strong emergence is the main form of emergence that has been defended with respect to chemistry, and in particular molecular structure. Here, the author spells out this form of emergence, proposes new ways in which one can further explore the question of emergence, and explains why investigating emergence should be of interest not only to philosophers but to chemists as well.

• Vanessa A. Seifert

Open questions on the interaction dynamics of molecules and clusters in the gas phase

Emerging experimental techniques combined with theoretical advances allow unprecedented studies of the dynamics of gas phase molecules and clusters induced in interactions with photons, electrons, or heavy particles. Here, the authors highlight recent advances, key open questions, and challenges in this field of research with focus on experimental studies of dynamics of ions stored on millisecond timescales and beyond, and its applications in astrochemistry and astronomy.

• Michael Gatchell
• Henning Zettergren

Open questions on the high-pressure chemistry of the noble gases

Recent high-pressure studies have uncovered many types of chemical bonds present in noble gas compounds. Here, by extrapolating what has been found so far, the authors discuss which future discoveries can be expected and recommend further avenues of exploration.

• Maosheng Miao
• Yuanhui Sun

Open questions on transition metals driving secondary thermal processes in atmospheric aerosols

Transition metals are increasingly recognized as key drivers in the formation and aging of light-absorbing organic aerosols, known as brown carbon, which impact the energy flux in the atmosphere. Here the authors discuss somewhat overlooked condensed phase chemical processes and identify research needs to improve our fundamental understanding of atmospheric aerosols and ultimately reduce modelling uncertainties of the direct and indirect effects of aerosol particles on the climate.

• Hind A. Al-Abadleh
• Sergey A. Nizkorodov

Open questions on physical chemistry of crystal growth from congruent melts

Crystallization is observed in both nature and in the lab, and is critical to diverse areas of science and technology. Here, the author summarizes the theories that have been proposed to explain crystal growth from melts, and raises some open questions that remain.

Open questions on water confined in nanoporous materials

Water adsorption in soft nanoporous materials can trigger large-scale structural transitions and introduce new properties in the confined water phase. Here, we look at some of the outstanding questions in this lively field of research.

• François-Xavier Coudert
• Anne Boutin
• Alain H. Fuchs

Open questions on methane hydrate nucleation

The commercial use of natural methane hydrate is hampered by several open questions that remain regarding hydrate formation. Here the authors comment on past interpretations and aim to provide a roadmap for developing a predictive theory of methane hydrate nucleation.

• Guang-Jun Guo
• Zhengcai Zhang

Open questions on the photophysics of thermally activated delayed fluorescence

The process of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) converts non-radiative triplet states into emissive singlet states. Herein we outline the fundamentals of TADF, some of the recent progress in understanding the key material properties responsible for promoting TADF and finally discuss some remaining challenges for the  potential applications of this phenomenon.

• Thomas J. Penfold

Open questions on the photophysics of ultrafast singlet fission

Ultrafast singlet fission has the potential to facilitate highly efficient photovoltaics through the multiplication of excitons in organic molecular architectures. Here, we consider the interplay of molecular structure and intermolecular coupling toward enabling ultrafast singlet fission and discuss open questions in the field.

• Justin C. Johnson

Open questions on the reactivity of Criegee intermediates

Criegee intermediates are reactive intermediates formed in Earth’s atmosphere through ozonolysis of alkenes. Here the authors outline the fundamental chemistry that influences their highly conformer- and substituent-dependent unimolecular and bimolecular reactivity, and discuss open questions of fundamental and atmospheric interest.

• Rebecca L. Caravan
• Michael F. Vansco
• Marsha I. Lester

Open questions on atmospheric nanoparticle growth

Cloud droplets form in the atmosphere on aerosol particles, many of which result from nucleation of vapors. Here the authors comment on current knowledge and open questions regarding the condensational growth of nucleated particles to sizes where they influence cloud formation.

• Taina Yli-Juuti
• Claudia Mohr
• Ilona Riipinen

Open questions on the chemical composition of airborne particles

Airborne particles have significant impacts on health, visibility, and climate. Here, an overview of what is known about particle chemical composition is presented, along with open questions and challenges that are central to relating composition to life cycles and impacts.

• Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts
• Lisa M. Wingen
• Michael J. Ezell

Open questions on the physical properties of aerosols

Aerosols are highly dynamic, non-equilibrium systems exhibiting unique microphysical properties relative to bulk systems. Here the authors discuss the roles aerosols play in (bio)chemical transformations and identify open questions in aerosol-mediated reaction rate accelerations, aerosol optical properties, and microorganism survival.

• Bryan R. Bzdek
• Jonathan P. Reid
• Michael I. Cotterell

Open questions on the structures of crystalline water ices

Water can form a vast number of topological frameworks owing to its hydrogen-bonding ability, with 19 different forms of ice experimentally confirmed at present. Here, the authors comment on open questions and possible future discoveries, covering negative to ultrahigh pressures.

• Thomas Loerting
• Violeta Fuentes-Landete
• Tobias M. Gasser

Open questions on nonequilibrium thermodynamics of chemical reaction networks

Chemical reaction networks (CRNs) are prototypical complex systems because reactions are nonlinear and connected in intricate ways, and they are also essential to understand living systems. Here, the author discusses how recent developments in nonequilibrium thermodynamics provide new insight on how CRNs process energy and perform sophisticated tasks, and describes open challenges in the field.

• Massimiliano Esposito

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Chemistry Research Guide

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Research questions have a few characteristics.

• They're open-ended . (They can't be answered with a simple yes or no response.)
• They're often measurable through quantitative data or qualitative measures.
• They summarize the issue/topic being researched.
• They may take a fresh look at an issue or try to solve a problem.

In addition, research questions may . . .

• answer how or why questions.
• fit within a cause/effect structure.
• have a pro/con format.
• introduce an argument that is then supported with evidence .

Topic selection is the process you use to choose your topic. This is the more creative side of topic development. There are several steps to this process.

• Brainstorming. Start a list of topics that interest you and are within the guidelines of the assignment. They could be personal, professional, or academic interests. Researching something that interests you is much more enjoyable and will keep you interested in the research process. Write down related words or phrases. These will be useful at the research stage.
• Reshaping the topic. Sometimes you'll choose a topic that's either too narrow or too broad. Find out ways to broaden or narrow the topic so that it's a better size to fit your research assignment. This is where Wikipedia and generic Google searches are okay. You can use those sites to get other ideas of how your topic idea may work. Perform some simple searches to see what information is out there. (Just be sure not to cite Wikipedia or Google.)
• Looking at the body of research. Once you have a topic that you think is a good size, take a look at the body of research that's available for the topic. Check in catalogs and databases. Look at reputable websites. You want to be sure that your topic has an adequate amount of research before you invest too much time into the idea.
• Revising. Throughout this process, be prepared to revise your topic. Don't think that you have to keep the same topic that you started with. Topic revision happens all the time. In fact, we often develop better topics as a result of this revision!

Topic verification is the process you use to confirm your topic is viable for research. This is the more technical side of topic development. There are also several steps to this process.

• Using search strategies. Do some experimental searching in the databases using search strategies . Try different combinations to see what you find. Use your notes from your brainstorming to search for different synonyms or phrases.
• Locating relevant and reliable information. At this stage, you want to see if you can find both a good quality and good quantity of sources. You don't need to read the entirety of the sources right now. Just read their abstracts and identifying information. Confirm that the sources you find support each other. Double-check the authority of the authors. This is the source evaluation stage.
• Verifying information. Once you've confirmed that the sources are reliable and relevant, decide whether or not you can verify the information in the sources. If your sources corrobate each other, you have a good topic. In fact, even if they dispute each other, that is sometimes okay. It just depends on your topic's goal. However, if you cannot verify the reliability of any of your sources' information, then you may need to start over again with a new topic idea.
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Chemistry Education Research and Practice

A guide to research question writing for undergraduate chemistry education research students.

a EASTChem School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK E-mail: [email protected]

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M. K. Seery, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. , 2020,  21 , 1020 DOI: 10.1039/D0RP90010A

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IB Chemistry IA: 60 Examples and Guidance

Get ahead with your IB Chemistry IA by exploring our guide of 60 examples and expert guidance. Achieve your best results with our comprehensive resources.

The IB Diploma programme offers a variety of assessments for students, including Internal Assessments (IAs), which are pieces of coursework marked by students’ teachers. The Chemistry IA is an assessment designed to test students' understanding of the material they have learned in their chemistry course and their ability to conduct independent research. The investigation should be a self-directed study that demonstrates the student's ability to design, execute, and evaluate a scientific investigation.

What is the IA?

The IA consists of a laboratory report that students must complete during their IB chemistry course. For assessments before May 2025, the report should be 6 to 12 pages in length and should include a research question, a methodology section, data analysis, and a conclusion. From May 2025 , the report should be a maximum of 3,000 words.

What should the IA be about?

When choosing a topic for their IA, expert IB tutors recommend that the students should keep in mind that the investigation should be related to the content of the IB Chemistry course. It should also be practical, feasible, and of sufficient complexity to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter. Some examples of topics that have been used in the past include the determination of the concentration of a substance in a solution, the effect of temperature on a chemical reaction, and the rate of a chemical reaction.

What should the IA contain?

Once a topic has been chosen, students should write a research proposal outlining their investigation. The proposal should include a clear research question, a brief literature review, a detailed methodology, and a list of the equipment and materials that will be needed. The proposal should also include a risk assessment, outlining any hazards associated with the investigation and the measures that will be taken to minimize them.

After the proposal has been approved, students can begin their investigation. They should keep a detailed laboratory notebook, including all the data they collect, any observations they make, and any calculations they perform. They should also take photographs or videos of their experiment to document the process.

Once the investigation is complete, students should analyze their data and draw conclusions. They should process their data using appropriate techniques, such as statistical analysis or graphing, and present it in a clear and concise manner. They should also evaluate their methodology and results, highlighting any limitations or uncertainties.

Finally, students should write a report, summarizing their investigation. The report should include an introduction, a method section, a results section, a discussion section, and a conclusion. The report should also include a list of references, citing any sources that were used in the research proposal or during the investigation.

Have a look at our comprehensive set resources for IB Chemistry developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

- IB Chemistry 2024 Study Notes

- IB Chemistry 2025 Study Notes

- IB Chemistry 2024 Questions

- IB Chemistry 2025 Questions

How can I do well in the IA?

To prepare for the IA, students should ensure that they understand the material covered in their chemistry course and should practice writing lab reports. They should also seek feedback from their teachers on their writing skills and their understanding of the research process, and can also enlist the help of an IB Chemistry tutor .

Before starting the IA, students should also familiarize themselves with the assessment criteria and the guidelines provided by the IB. This will allow them to show their full potential and achieve the highest mark possible. Students should also make sure that their report is well-written and properly formatted, and that it includes all the required sections.

The assessment criteria include the following:

Personal engagement : Students should engage with the exploration, which can be demonstrated through independent thinking and creativity. The research question or topic should be linked to something of personal significance or interest, and the student should show initiative in implementing the investigation. (2 marks)

Exploration : Students should identify a relevant and fully-focused research question, which is explored with appropriate background information and investigated with an appropriate methodology. The student should consider the safety, ethical, or environmental issues that are relevant to the methodology. (6 marks)

Analysis : Students should demonstrate the ability to analyze data and draw conclusions. They should show that they have used appropriate techniques to process and present data, and that they have identified patterns and trends in the data. The report should include quantitative and qualitative data, which supports a detailed and valid conclusion, following appropriate data processing. (6 marks)

Evaluation : Students should demonstrate an understanding of the limitations and uncertainties of their investigation. They should critically evaluate their methodology and results, and suggest ways in which the investigation could be improved or extended. (6 marks)

Communication : The investigation should be clearly presented, with an effective structure, concise writing, and appropriate use of subject-specific terminology. (4 marks)

What are some example research questions?

Here are a few examples of potential research questions compiled by expert Chemistry tutors that could inspire your Chemistry IA:

1 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium?

Conduct a series of experiments in which hydrochloric acid is added to different concentrations of magnesium in solution. The rate of reaction could be measured by tracking the production of hydrogen gas over time. The concentration of the solution could be varied by diluting the hydrochloric acid with water. The results could be plotted on a graph to show the relationship between concentration and rate of reaction. Control variables such as temperature and stirring rate would need to be kept constant throughout the experiments.

2 - Can the purity of a sample of aspirin be determined using thin-layer chromatography?

A sample of the aspirin would be dissolved in a suitable solvent and spotted onto a thin-layer chromatography plate. The plate would then be placed in a developing chamber containing a suitable solvent. As the solvent moves up the plate, it will separate the different components of the sample based on their polarity. The purity of the aspirin can be determined by comparing the distance traveled by the aspirin spot to the distance traveled by any impurities or other components present in the sample. This can be done by measuring the Rf value (the ratio of the distance traveled by the spot to the distance traveled by the solvent) for each component. A pure sample of aspirin would have an Rf value of 1, while impurities or other components would have lower Rf values.

3 - Investigating the effect of temperature on the solubility of a salt in water.

Prepare a saturated solution of the salt at room temperature. Then, heat the solution to a higher temperature and add more of the salt until it reaches saturation again. The amount of salt that can dissolve in the water at each temperature can be measured by weighing the solution before and after adding the salt. This process can be repeated at different temperatures to create a solubility curve. The curve can then be used to determine the effect of temperature on the solubility of the salt in water.

4 - How does the concentration of hydrochloric acid affect the reaction rate with sodium thiosulfate?

Conduct a series of experiments in which different concentrations of hydrochloric acid are mixed with a fixed amount of sodium thiosulfate. The reaction rate can be measured by observing the time it takes for the solution to turn cloudy, indicating that the reaction has occurred. The concentration of hydrochloric acid that produces the fastest reaction rate can be determined, and a graph can be created to show the relationship between concentration and reaction rate. Control variables such as temperature and stirring should be kept constant throughout the experiments.

5 - Can the enthalpy change of a chemical reaction be determined using Hess's law and calorimetry?

Use calorimetry to measure the enthalpy change of the individual reactions involved in the chemical reaction of interest. Then, use Hess's law to calculate the enthalpy change of the overall reaction. This would involve setting up a calorimeter, measuring the initial and final temperatures of the reactants and products, and calculating the heat absorbed or released during the reaction. The enthalpy change of the individual reactions could be determined by conducting them separately and measuring the heat change.

6 - Investigating the effect of different types of catalysts on the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

Set up an experiment in which hydrogen peroxide is mixed with different types of catalysts, such as manganese dioxide, copper oxide, or iron oxide. The rate of decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide can be measured by monitoring the release of oxygen gas using a gas syringe or pressure sensor. The experiment would need to be repeated with each type of catalyst, and the results can be compared to determine which catalyst is most effective at increasing the rate of decomposition. Control variables such as temperature, concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and volume of catalyst would need to be kept constant.

7 - How does the pH of a solution affect the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt?

Prepare a solution of the sparingly soluble salt in water at a known concentration. Vary the pH of the solution using acidic or basic solutions. The solubility of the salt can be determined by measuring the concentration of the salt in the solution using techniques such as spectrophotometry or gravimetry. The solubility of the salt can then be plotted against the pH of the solution to determine the effect of pH on solubility. This process would need to be repeated for different concentrations of the salt to determine the impact of concentration on solubility.

8 - Can the concentration of a solution be determined using acid-base titration?

To determine the concentration of a solution using acid-base titration, a known volume of the solution would be added to a flask and an indicator would be added. A standardized solution of a strong acid or base would then be slowly added to the flask until the endpoint is reached, indicating that all the acid or base has reacted with the solution. The concentration of the solution can then be calculated based on the volume and concentration of the standardized solution used in the titration. This process would need to be repeated for each solution being tested.

9 - Investigating the effect of different types of surfactants on the surface tension of water.

Prepare solutions of different concentrations of the surfactants being tested. A drop of each solution would be placed on the surface of water and the surface tension of the water would be measured using a tensiometer. The process would be repeated for each concentration of surfactant being tested. The results would be plotted on a graph to determine the relationship between the concentration of surfactant and the surface tension of water.

10 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid?

Conduct a series of experiments in which different concentrations of sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid are mixed together in a controlled environment. The rate of reaction can be measured by observing the time it takes for the solution to turn cloudy due to the formation of sulfur. The concentration of the solution can be varied by diluting or concentrating the solutions before mixing them together. By comparing the rate of reaction at different concentrations, the relationship between concentration and rate of reaction can be determined.

11 - Can the concentration of copper in a brass alloy be determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy?

Prepare a series of standard solutions of known copper concentrations using a pure copper sample. The brass alloy would then be dissolved in acid and the resulting solution would be analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The absorption of light by the copper atoms in the solution would be measured and compared to the absorption of the standard solutions to determine the concentration of copper in the brass alloy. This process would need to be repeated for each brass alloy being tested.

12 - Investigating the effect of the length of an alkane chain on its boiling point.

Prepare a series of alkane samples with varying chain lengths. Each sample would be heated and the temperature at which it boils would be recorded. The boiling point of each alkane sample would be plotted against its chain length to determine the relationship between the two variables. This experiment would need to be repeated multiple times to ensure accuracy and consistency of results.

13 - How does the pH of a solution affect the color of an indicator?

Select an appropriate indicator that changes color within the pH range being tested. Prepare solutions with different pH values by adding acids or bases to a neutral solution. Add a small amount of the indicator to each solution and observe the color change. Record the pH value at which the color change occurs for each indicator. This experiment can be repeated with different indicators to compare their sensitivity to changes in pH.

14 - Can the concentration of iron in a solution be determined using spectrophotometry?

Prepare a series of standard solutions with known concentrations of iron. The absorbance of each standard solution would be measured using a spectrophotometer, which would create a calibration curve. A sample of the unknown solution containing iron would then be measured for its absorbance, and the concentration of iron in the solution can be determined by comparing its absorbance to the calibration curve. This process would need to be repeated for each solution being tested.

15 - Investigating the effect of the concentration of a solution on the rate of reaction between potassium permanganate and oxalic acid .

Set up a series of experiments in which different concentrations of the potassium permanganate solution are mixed with a fixed concentration of oxalic acid. The rate of reaction could be measured by monitoring the color change of the solution over time, as the potassium permanganate is reduced by the oxalic acid. The concentration of the potassium permanganate solution that produces the fastest rate of reaction could be determined, and the effect of varying concentrations of oxalic acid could also be investigated. Control variables such as temperature and stirring rate would need to be kept constant throughout the experiments.

16 - How does the presence of a common ion affect the solubility of a salt?

Prepare solutions of the salt at different concentrations and add a known amount of the common ion to each solution. The solubility of the salt in each solution can then be determined by measuring the amount of salt that remains undissolved after stirring the solution for a set period of time. Comparing the solubility of the salt in solutions with and without the common ion would determine the effect of the common ion on the salt's solubility. This process would need to be repeated for different concentrations of the common ion to determine the concentration at which it has the greatest effect on the salt's solubility.

17 - Can the rate constant of a chemical reaction be determined using kinetics experiments?

Conduct a series of experiments in which the concentration of reactants is varied while keeping all other variables constant. The rate of the reaction can be measured by monitoring the change in concentration of the reactants or products over time. The rate constant can then be calculated using the rate equation for the reaction. This process would need to be repeated for different temperatures and concentrations to determine the effect of these variables on the rate constant.

18 - Investigating the effect of different types of acids and bases on the pH of a buffer solution.

Prepare a buffer solution with a known pH and add different types of acids and bases to it. The pH of the buffer solution would be measured using a pH meter or indicator paper before and after the addition of each acid or base. The change in pH would indicate the effect of the acid or base on the buffer solution. This process would need to be repeated for each type of acid and base being tested. The results could be compared to determine which types of acids and bases have the greatest impact on the pH of the buffer solution.

19 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the absorbance of light by a colored compound?

Prepare a series of solutions with varying concentrations of the colored compound. Use a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance of light by each solution at a specific wavelength. Plot the absorbance values against the concentration of the colored compound to create a calibration curve. Use this curve to determine the concentration of the colored compound in an unknown solution by measuring its absorbance and comparing it to the calibration curve. This process would need to be repeated for each colored compound being tested.

20 - Can the concentration of ammonia in a solution be determined using acid-base titration?

Prepare a standardized solution of a known concentration of acid or base. A sample of the ammonia solution would be titrated with the acid or base solution until the endpoint is reached, indicating that all the ammonia has reacted with the acid or base. The concentration of ammonia in the solution can then be calculated based on the volume and concentration of the acid or base solution used in the titration. This process would need to be repeated for each ammonia solution being tested.

21 - Investigating the effect of different types of buffers on the pH of a solution.

Prepare solutions of different buffers and measure their pH using a pH meter. Then, add a small amount of acid or base to each solution and measure the change in pH. The buffer that maintains the pH closest to its original value would be the most effective. This process would need to be repeated for each type of buffer being tested. The results could be graphed to visually compare the effectiveness of each buffer.

22 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of reaction between iodine and sodium thiosulfate?

Prepare solutions of different concentrations of sodium thiosulfate and iodine. The reaction between the two solutions can be timed and the rate of reaction calculated for each concentration. The results can be graphed to show the relationship between concentration and reaction rate. This experiment would need to be repeated multiple times to ensure accuracy and to account for any experimental error.

23 - Can the concentration of a metal ion in a solution be determined using complexometric titration?

Prepare a standardized solution of a chelating agent, such as EDTA, of a known concentration. A sample of the metal ion solution would be titrated with the chelating agent until the endpoint is reached, indicating that all the metal ions have reacted with the chelating agent. The concentration of the metal ion in the solution can then be calculated based on the volume and concentration of the chelating agent used in the titration. This process would need to be repeated for each metal ion being tested.

24 - Investigating the effect of the length of a chain on the rate of esterification.

Set up an experiment in which different lengths of chains are used in the esterification reaction. The reaction could be monitored by measuring the amount of product formed over time using a spectrophotometer or by analyzing the product using gas chromatography. The rate of esterification could be calculated by determining the slope of the reaction curve. Comparing the rates of esterification for the different chain lengths would determine the effect of chain length on the reaction rate.

25 - How does the pH of a solution affect the rate of reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid?

Set up a series of solutions with varying pH levels using hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulfate. The reaction between the two chemicals would be timed and the time taken for the solution to turn cloudy would be recorded. The experiment would need to be repeated multiple times for each pH level to ensure accuracy. The data collected would then be used to plot a graph of the reaction rate against pH level, allowing for the relationship between pH and reaction rate to be determined.

26 - Can the concentration of a solution be determined using gravimetric analysis?

In gravimetric analysis, a known mass of the substance being analyzed is dissolved in a solvent and then reacted with a reagent that forms a precipitate with the substance of interest. The precipitate is then filtered, dried, and weighed to determine its mass. From this, the mass of the original substance can be calculated using stoichiometry. Therefore, to determine the concentration of a solution using gravimetric analysis, a known volume of the solution would need to be evaporated to dryness, and the resulting solid would be weighed. The mass of the solid would then be used to calculate the concentration of the original solution.

27 - Investigating the effect of different types of surfactants on the emulsification of oil and water.

Create a series of oil and water emulsions using different types and concentrations of surfactants. The emulsions could be visually inspected for stability and the time it takes for the oil and water to separate could be recorded. The effectiveness of each surfactant in emulsifying the oil and water could be compared by analyzing the data collected. Additionally, the size and distribution of the droplets in the emulsion could be measured using microscopy to gain a more detailed understanding of the emulsification process.

28 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of reaction between potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide?

Set up a series of experiments in which different concentrations of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide are mixed together. The reaction rate could be measured by tracking the change in color of the solution over time, as the potassium permanganate is reduced. The concentration of the reactants could be varied by diluting them with water, and the reaction rate could be measured for each concentration. The results could then be plotted on a graph to show the relationship between concentration and reaction rate.

29 - Can the concentration of sulfate ions in a solution be determined using gravimetric analysis?

To determine the concentration of sulfate ions in a solution using gravimetric analysis, a known volume of the solution would be evaporated to dryness to obtain the sulfate ions in solid form. The mass of the solid sulfate would be measured and compared to the mass of the original sample to determine the percentage of sulfate ions present. This process would need to be repeated for multiple samples of the solution to ensure accuracy and precision in the results.

30 - Investigating the effect of different types of acids and bases on the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulfate.

Set up an experiment in which hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulfate are mixed with different types and concentrations of acids and bases. The reaction between the two chemicals would produce a yellow precipitate of sulfur, which would gradually become less visible as the reaction progresses. The time taken for the precipitate to disappear could be measured and used to calculate the rate of reaction. Comparing the rates of reaction for the different groups would determine the effect of the acids and bases on the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulfate.

31 - Investigating the effects of different types of catalysts on the rate of a chemical reaction.

Set up an experiment in which a chemical reaction is carried out with different catalysts. The reaction should be monitored using a suitable method such as spectrophotometry or gas chromatography to determine the rate of the reaction. The same reaction should be carried out with each catalyst, and the results should be compared to determine the effect of the catalyst on the rate of the reaction. Control variables such as temperature, pressure, and concentration of reactants should be kept constant to ensure accurate results.

32 - How does the concentration of a reactant affect the rate of a chemical reaction?

Conduct a series of experiments in which the concentration of the reactant is varied while keeping all other variables constant. The rate of the chemical reaction can be measured by monitoring the change in concentration of the reactant or product over time. A graph can be plotted to show the relationship between the concentration of the reactant and the rate of the reaction. This can be used to determine the rate law for the reaction, which can then be used to predict the rate of the reaction under different conditions.

33 - Investigating the properties of different types of acids and bases and their behavior in different solutions.

Conduct experiments in which different types of acids and bases are added to different solutions, such as water or other acids/bases. The behavior of the acids and bases can be observed, such as whether they dissolve or react with the solution, and the pH of the solution can be measured. The properties of the acids and bases, such as their strength and reactivity, can be compared based on their behavior in the different solutions. This could also involve testing the effect of different concentrations of the acids and bases on the pH of the solution.

34 - How does the temperature affect the solubility of a solute in a solvent?

Prepare a solution of the solute in the solvent at a known concentration and temperature. The solution would then be cooled or heated to different temperatures and the solubility of the solute in the solvent would be measured at each temperature. This could be done by adding a known amount of the solute to the solvent at each temperature and measuring the amount of solute that dissolves. The results could be plotted on a solubility curve to show the relationship between temperature and solubility.

35 - Investigating the properties of different types of polymers and their behavior in different environments.

Conduct experiments in which different types of polymers are exposed to different environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and UV radiation. The behavior of the polymers could be observed and measured using techniques such as tensile testing, thermal analysis, and microscopy. Comparing the properties and behavior of the different polymers in different environments would provide insights into their suitability for various applications.

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36 - How does the concentration of a solute affect the osmotic pressure of a solution?

Set up a series of solutions with varying concentrations of the solute and measure the osmotic pressure of each solution using an osmometer. The osmotic pressure can be calculated by measuring the change in pressure as the solution is introduced to a semi-permeable membrane. The results can then be plotted on a graph to determine the relationship between solute concentration and osmotic pressure. This experiment could be repeated with different solutes to compare their effects on osmotic pressure.

37 - Investigating the properties of different types of surfactants and their behavior in different solutions.

Conduct experiments in which different types of surfactants are added to different solutions, such as water or oil. The behavior of the surfactants can be observed, including their ability to reduce surface tension and form micelles. The properties of the surfactants can also be tested, such as their solubility in different solvents and their stability under different conditions. The results of these experiments can be used to compare the effectiveness of different surfactants in different applications, such as in cleaning products or in the production of emulsions.

38 - How does the temperature affect the conductivity of an electrolyte solution?

Conductivity measurements of an electrolyte solution would need to be taken at different temperatures using a conductivity meter. The temperature of the solution can be controlled using a water bath or other temperature control device. The conductivity readings can be plotted against temperature to determine the effect of temperature on conductivity. The experiment would need to be repeated multiple times to ensure accuracy and consistency of results.

39 - Investigating the properties of different types of metal alloys and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments on different types of metal alloys under varying conditions such as temperature, pressure, and exposure to different chemicals. The properties of the alloys such as strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance could be measured and compared to determine their behavior under different conditions. This would require specialized equipment such as a tensile testing machine and a corrosion testing apparatus. The results of these experiments could be used to optimize the use of different alloys in various applications.

40 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the boiling and freezing points of the solvent?

Conduct an experiment in which different concentrations of a solution are prepared and their boiling and freezing points are measured using a thermometer. The data collected can be used to create a graph showing the relationship between concentration and boiling/freezing point. This graph can be used to determine the effect of concentration on the boiling and freezing points of the solvent. Control variables such as pressure and volume of the solution should be kept constant throughout the experiment.

41 - Investigating the properties of different types of gas laws and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments using different gases, such as helium, nitrogen, and oxygen, under varying conditions of temperature and pressure. The behavior of the gases could be observed using equipment such as pressure gauges and thermometers. The data collected could then be analyzed to determine the properties of each gas and how they behave under different conditions. This could include measuring the volume of gas at different pressures, or the pressure of gas at different temperatures. The results could then be used to develop mathematical models of gas behavior, such as the ideal gas law.

42 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of diffusion and effusion?

Set up a series of experiments in which solutions of varying concentrations are placed in separate compartments of a diffusion or effusion apparatus. The rate of diffusion or effusion could be measured by tracking the movement of a dye or gas through a semi-permeable membrane separating the compartments. The rate of diffusion or effusion could then be compared across the different concentrations to determine the effect of concentration on the rate of diffusion or effusion. Control variables such as temperature and pressure would need to be kept constant throughout the experiments.

43 - Investigating the properties of different types of nuclear reactions and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments with different types of nuclear reactions, such as fission and fusion, under varying conditions such as temperature, pressure, and reactant concentration. The behavior of the reactions can be observed and recorded, and data can be analyzed to determine the properties of each type of reaction. This could include factors such as energy release, reaction rate, and byproducts produced. The results of these experiments can be used to better understand the behavior of nuclear reactions and their potential applications.

44 - How does the temperature affect the viscosity of a liquid?

Measure the viscosity of a liquid at different temperatures using a viscometer. The temperature of the liquid can be controlled using a water bath or other heating/cooling apparatus. The viscosity can be measured by timing how long it takes for the liquid to flow through the viscometer at each temperature. The results can be plotted on a graph to show how the viscosity changes with temperature. This can help determine the optimal temperature for the liquid's intended use or provide insight into the physical properties of the liquid.

45 - Investigating the properties of different types of organic compounds and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct a series of experiments to investigate the properties of different types of organic compounds. This could involve testing their solubility in different solvents, their reactivity with other compounds, their melting and boiling points, and their behavior under different conditions such as heat or pressure. The results of these experiments could be used to develop a better understanding of the behavior and properties of organic compounds, which could have applications in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and materials science.

46 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the pH of the solution?

Prepare solutions of varying concentrations of an acidic or basic substance, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The pH of each solution would be measured using a pH meter or indicator paper. The results would be recorded and analyzed to determine the relationship between the concentration of the solution and its pH. A graph could be created to visualize this relationship.

47 - Investigating the properties of different types of electrochemical cells and their behavior under different conditions.

Set up different electrochemical cells using different electrodes and electrolytes. Measure the voltage and current produced by each cell under different conditions such as temperature, concentration of electrolyte, and electrode surface area. Analyze the data to determine the behavior of each cell and compare their properties. This could include calculating the cell potential, determining the rate of reaction, and identifying any limitations or advantages of each type of cell.

48 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the color and absorption spectrum of a chromophore?

Prepare a series of solutions with varying concentrations of the chromophore. The absorption spectra of each solution could be measured using a spectrophotometer, and the color of each solution could be observed visually. By comparing the absorption spectra and colors of the different solutions, the relationship between concentration, color, and absorption spectrum of the chromophore could be determined. This could be further analyzed using mathematical models to predict the absorption spectrum and color of solutions with different concentrations of the chromophore.

49 - Investigating the properties of different types of covalent compounds and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments on different covalent compounds under varying conditions such as temperature, pressure, and pH levels. Observe and record their behavior, including changes in state, solubility, and reactivity. Analyze the data to determine the properties of each compound and how they respond to different conditions. This could involve using techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry to identify and characterize the compounds. The results could be used to develop a better understanding of the behavior of covalent compounds and their potential applications in various fields.

50 - How does the temperature affect the rate of diffusion and effusion?

Set up an experiment in which a gas is released in a container at a constant rate and the time it takes for the gas to diffuse or effuse through a small opening is measured at different temperatures. The temperature can be varied by immersing the container in a water bath of different temperatures. The rate of diffusion or effusion can be calculated based on the time taken for the gas to pass through the opening, and the temperature can be varied to determine its effect on the rate of diffusion or effusion. The results can be plotted on a graph to visualize the relationship between temperature and the rate of diffusion or effusion.

51 - Investigating the properties of different types of intermolecular forces and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments using different substances with different types of intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. The substances could be tested under different conditions, such as temperature and pressure, to observe how the intermolecular forces affect their behavior. The results could be analyzed to determine the properties of each type of intermolecular force and how they interact with each other. This could lead to a better understanding of the behavior of substances in various environments.

52 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of an acid-base titration?

Prepare a standardized solution of a strong acid or base of known concentration. A sample of the solution being tested would be titrated with the acid or base solution until the endpoint is reached, indicating that all the acid or base has reacted with the solution. The concentration of the solution being tested can then be calculated based on the volume and concentration of the acid or base solution used in the titration. This process would need to be repeated for solutions of varying concentrations to determine the effect of concentration on the rate of the acid-base titration.

53 - Investigating the properties of different types of coordination compounds and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments to observe the behavior of different coordination compounds under varying conditions such as temperature, pH, and concentration. The properties of the compounds such as color, solubility, and stability could be measured and compared. The results could be analyzed to determine the effect of the different conditions on the behavior of the coordination compounds. This could provide insight into the potential applications of these compounds in various fields such as medicine or materials science.

54 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction?

Conduct a series of experiments in which the concentration of a reactant or product is varied while keeping other variables constant. The equilibrium constant of the chemical reaction can then be calculated using the concentrations of the reactants and products at equilibrium. This process would need to be repeated for different initial concentrations of the reactants to determine the effect of concentration on the equilibrium constant. Graphing the data would help visualize the relationship between concentration and equilibrium constant.

55 - Investigating the properties of different types of chromatography and their behavior in different separation techniques.

Conduct a series of experiments using different types of chromatography, such as paper chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography. Each experiment would involve separating a mixture of substances using the chosen chromatography technique and analyzing the results to determine the effectiveness of the technique in separating the substances. The behavior of the chromatography technique could be studied by varying the solvent used, the type of stationary phase, and other experimental conditions. The results of the experiments could be compared to determine the most effective chromatography technique for different types of separations.

56 - How does the temperature affect the activation energy of a chemical reaction?

Conduct a series of experiments in which the same chemical reaction is carried out at different temperatures. The activation energy of the reaction can be calculated by measuring the rate of the reaction at each temperature and using the Arrhenius equation to determine the activation energy. The results can be plotted on a graph to show the relationship between temperature and activation energy. This would help to determine how temperature affects the rate of chemical reactions.

57 - Investigating the properties of different types of solid-state materials and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments on different types of solid-state materials, such as metals, ceramics, and polymers, under different conditions such as temperature, pressure, and humidity. The properties that could be investigated include strength, elasticity, conductivity, and thermal expansion. The results of these experiments could be used to compare the behavior of different materials and to identify the most suitable material for a particular application. The data collected could also be used to develop models and simulations to predict the behavior of materials under different conditions.

58 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of a redox reaction?

Conduct a series of experiments in which the concentration of a solution is varied while keeping all other variables constant. The redox reaction could be monitored using a colorimetric assay or by measuring the change in pH of the solution. The rate of the reaction could then be calculated based on the change in absorbance or pH over time. By comparing the rates of the reaction at different concentrations, the effect of concentration on the rate of the redox reaction could be determined.

59 - Investigating the properties of different types of nanomaterials and their behavior under different conditions.

Conduct experiments with different types of nanomaterials, varying their size, shape, and composition, and observe their behavior under different conditions such as temperature, pressure, and exposure to different chemicals. The properties of the nanomaterials, such as their conductivity, reactivity, and strength, could be measured using various techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. The results could be analyzed to determine the optimal conditions for each type of nanomaterial and to compare their properties to identify the most suitable material for specific applications.

60 - How does the concentration of a solution affect the rate of a precipitation reaction?

Set up multiple solutions of the same reactants with varying concentrations. The rate of precipitation can be measured by tracking the time it takes for the precipitate to form or by measuring the amount of precipitate formed over a set period of time. By comparing the rates of precipitation in the different solutions, the effect of concentration on the rate of the reaction can be determined. Control variables such as temperature and stirring rate would need to be kept constant.

Remember to come up with your own original IA topic and check it with your teacher. It should be practical to conduct and relevant to the syllabus. This is a great opportunity to develop your personal interests, while advancing your knowledge of the chemistry curriculum. Online tutors agree that this list is quite extensive and can help IB students a lot with their IB Chemistry IA.

TutorChase's IB Chemistry Study Notes , IB Past Papers and IB Chemistry Questions are the perfect resource for students who want to get a 7 in their IB Chemistry exams and also prepare for the internal assessment. They are completely free, cover all topics in depth, and are structured by topic so you can easily keep track of your progress.

How is the IA graded?

The IA is worth 20% of the final grade for the IB chemistry course, whether you are studying at Higher or at Standard Level. This applies for assessments both before and after May 2025. It is graded by the student’s teacher, who is trained and certified by the International Baccalaureate organization. The report is then sent to a moderator, who will check that the report adheres to the IB guidelines and that the grade awarded is appropriate.

Source: IB Chemistry Subject Brief, pre-May 2025

In summary, the IA in the IB is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the chemistry curriculum, as well as their ability to conduct independent research. It consists of a laboratory report and a reflective statement, and is worth 20% of the final grade for the course. To prepare for the assessment, students should ensure that they understand the material covered in their IB chemistry course , practice writing lab reports, and seek feedback from their teachers or tutors.

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Written by: Charles Whitehouse

Charles scored 45/45 on the International Baccalaureate and has six years' experience tutoring IB and IGCSE students and advising them with their university applications. He studied a double integrated Masters at Magdalen College Oxford and has worked as a research scientist and strategy consultant.

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Developing a Research Question

From Laurier Library. 

Selecting and Narrowing a Topic

Choose an area of interest to explore. .

For you to successfully finish a research project, it is important to choose a research topic that is relevant to your field of study and piques your curiosity. The flip side is that curiosity can take you down long and winding paths, so you also need to consider scope in how to effectively cover the topic in the space that you have available. If there's an idea or concept you've recently learned that's stuck with you, that might be a good place to start !

Gather background information.

You may not know right away what your research question is - that's okay! Start out with a broad topic, and see what information is out there through cursory background research. This will help you explore possibilities and narrow your topic to something manageable.    Do a few quick searches in OneSearch@IU  or in other relevant sources. See what other researchers have already written to help narrow your focus.  

Narrow your topic.

  Once you have a sense of how other researchers are talking about the topics you’re interested, narrow down your topic by asking the 5 Ws

• Who – population or group (e.g., working class, college students, Native Americans)
• What – discipline or focus (e.g., anthropological or art history)
• Where – geographic location (e.g., United States; universities; small towns; Standing Rock)
• When – time period or era (17 th century; contemporary; 2017)
• Why – why is the topic important? (to the class, to the field, or to you)

Broad topic: Native American representations in museums

Narrowed topic: Museum efforts to adhere to NAGPRA

Adapted from: University of Michigan. (2023 Finding and Exploring your topic. Retrieved from  https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=283095&p=1886086

From Topic to Research Question

So, you have done some background research and narrowed down your topic. Now what? Start to turn that topic into a series of questions that you will attempt to answer the course of your research.  Keep in mind that you will probably end up changing and adjusting the question(s) you have as you gather more information and synthesize it in your writing. However, having a clear line of inquiry can help you maintain a sense of your direction, which will then in turn help you evaluate sources and identify relevant information throughout your research process. 

Exploratory questions.

These are the questions that comes from a genuine curiosity about your topic. When narrowing down your topic, you got a good sense of the Who, What, When, and Where of things. Now it’s time to consider

• Asking open-ended “how” and “why” questions about your general topic, which can lead you to better explanations about a phenomenon or concept
• Consider the “so what?” of your topic. Why does this topic matter to you? Why should it matter to others? What are the implications of the information you’re discovering through the search process to the Who and the What of your topic?

Evaluate your research question.

Use the following to determine if any of the questions you generated would be appropriate and workable for your assignment. 

• Is your question clear ? Do you have a specific aspect of your general topic that you are going to explore further? Will the reader of your research be able to keep it in mind?
• Is your question focused? Will you be able to cover the topic adequately in the space available? Are you able to concisely ask the question?
• Is your question and arguable ? If it can be answered with a simple Yes or No, then dig deeper. Once you get to “it depends on X, Y, and Z” then you might be getting on the right track.

Hypothesize. 

Once you have developed your research question, consider how you will attempt to answer or address it. 

• What connections can you make between the research you’ve read and your research question? Why do those connections matter?
• What other kinds of sources will you need in order to support your argument?
• If someone refutes the answer to your research question, what is your argument to back up your conclusion?
• How might others challenge your argument? Why do those challenges ultimately not hold water?

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center. (2018). How to write a research question. Retrieved from  https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/research-based-writing/how-to-write-a-research-question

Sample research questions.

A good research question is clear, focused, and has an appropriate level of complexity. Developing a strong question is a process, so you will likely refine your question as you continue to research and to develop your ideas.  

Unclear : Why are social networking sites harmful?

Clear:  How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as Facebook and TikTok?

Unfocused:  What is the effect on the environment from global warming?

Focused:  How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?

Simple vs Complex

Too simple:  How are doctors addressing diabetes in the U.S.?

Appropriately Complex:   What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in America, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease?

General Online Reference Sources

Reference sources like dictionaries and encylopedias provide general information about various subjects. They also include definitions that may help you break down your topic and understand it better. Sources includes in these entries can be springboards for more in-depth research.

A note on citation: Reference sources are generally not cited since they usually consist of common knowledge (e.g. who was the first United States President).  But if you're unsure whether to cite something it's best to do so. Specific pieces of information and direct quotes should always be cited. 

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Encyclopedias and specialized reference resources in: Arts, Biography, History, Information and Publishing, Law, Literature, Medicine, Multicultural Studies, Nation and World, Religion, Science, Social Science

Why Use References Sources

Reference sources are a great place to begin your research. They can help you:

• gain an overview of a topic
• explore potential research areas
• identify key issues, publications, or authors in your research area

From here, you can narrow your search topic and look at more specialized sources.

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The key to the Scientific Investigation is the research question. Without a good research question the student will be unable to address the internal assessment criteria effectively. Many IB chemistry teachers will have supervised Extended Essays in chemistry so will have experience in dealing with research questions. One of the roles of the EE supervisor is to “Discuss the choice of topic with the student and give...

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• Chemistry Research Strategies & Tools

Develop a Research Question

• Conduct Background Research
• Search Your Library's Discovery Tool
• Search in General & Subject Specific Databases
• Search Popular Search Engines
• Use Findings to Inform Further Searching
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• Final Thought
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All research begins with a question, a research question .

A research question is a statement that identifies a narrow area of inquiry related to a specific problem and/or gap in knowledge .

• Effective research questions are specific in that they define a narrow topic to investigate. Topics that are overly broad result in shallow, superficial research projects and are difficult to investigate due to an overwhelming amount of available information on the topic. Likewise, overly broad research questions often lack a clear focus and result in poorly executed research projects. A narrow research question allows one to focus on one topic and to go in depth in the space allowed in a relatively short research project, such as an essay or poster presentation.
• The specific problem and or gap in knowledge is the question that you need to resolve through finding and applying new information. In college, this is often found in the assignment given by an instructor. However, it's not uncommon for instructors to ask students to identify their own question to resolve.

What were Alice Ball's most notable scientific achievements, and what significant biographical details are known about Alice Ball?

Another benefit of an effective research question is that they help identify initial search terms with which to begin searching databases. To identify initial search terms using a research question, look for central concepts that you need to know more about to answer the question. In the example above, "Alice Ball" is an excellent search term to start with because she is the notable historical figure at the heart of this hypothetical research project, and it is important to locate content related to her life and achievements. As you learn more about a topic, you can include additional search terms to further refine your search.

Finally, an effective research question provides a clear road map to completing a research project. A research question limits the amount and kind of information needed to only that which answers the question and provides a clear target for completion. A research project is complete when it answers its research question.

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232 Chemistry Research Topics To Make Your Neurochemicals Dance

Speaking from experience, science can be fun. The only thing that matters is that you should always choose the theme/field that fascinates you the most. Chemistry, if done right, can give you more dopamine rush than riding a racing bike. The trick is to choose a chemistry research paper topic that moves your quarks when you’re writing about it. 

Table of Contents

Chemistry Research Topics: Biochemistry, Chemical, Organic, and more

Our chemistry research writers are not regular researchers but people who actually study and love chemistry. They have spent a lot of time unearthing some of the cool topics that could pump any chemistry geeks with an adrenaline rush. They have years of experience offering chemistry research paper writing services, so you can trust their work.  (Many people around the world already do and you can find that in testimonials on our  PhD Research Paper Writing Services  page.)

Physical chemistry research topics

• Laws of Thermodynamics
• Energy Balance
• Gases: Gas Law
• harles and Gay Lussac’s law
• General Ideal Gas Law
• The mass of a chemical compound
• The moles of an atomic species
• The flow of Fluids in Closed Ducts
• Impact of gravity on the fluids
• Strength effect of elasticity of fluid actions
• Surface tension in fluids
• Statistical Analysis Of Thermodynamic Properties
• Determination of the ideal gas constant
• pH determination
• Distillation of an azeotropic mixture
• Cubic equations of state
• Redox titrations
• Ideal solutions (liquids)
• Laboratory on the States of Matter
• Laboratory on the construction of an atom
• Research on molecular geometry
• Research on the density of bodies
• Kinetic studies of pyrolysis, combustion and gasification of various materials (organic and inorganic)
• Physicochemical Processes of Interaction of Metals with Biomaterials
• Photochemistry of Compounds of Environmental Interest
• Study of the kinetic, thermodynamic and catalytic activity of compounds
• Organic and inorganic academic and environmental interest
• Determination of heat of combustion of acetamidophenols
• Experimental determination of thermochemical properties of chemical compounds
• Experimental evaluation of thermal properties of dangerous organic liquids
• Synthesis and characterization of hydrogels based on acrylic acid
• Incorporation of salts and other chemical substances in acrylic acid/acrylamide hydrogels
• Physical chemistry of polymers and macromolecules
• Pharmaceutical physical chemistry
• Physical chemistry and material sciences
• Biomimetic chemistry
• Petrochemical and related sciences
• Physical chemistry of semiconductors
• Physical chemistry of extractive processes
• Physical chemistry of surfaces

We bet these chemistry essay topics have blown you away. Don’t worry we have more useful topics coming your way.

Read More:  Accounting Research Topics

Electrochemistry research topics

Below are some of the best topics for research paper about chemistry and its affiliate subjects. Check them out:

• Calibration of carbon paste electrodes modified with iron particles
• Effect of ionic strength on electrochemical detection
• Oxygenated groups present in graphite powder
• Electrochemical analysis
• Potentiometric titrations of functional groups
• Physical and chemical characterization of the modified and unmodified material 
• Electrochemical recovery of toxic metals
• Carbon paste electrodes
• Biological and bioelectrochemical reactors with an optimization approach based on computational methods
• Electrogeneration of oxidizing species
• Electroremediation of contaminated water and water soils
• Electrochemistry: Importance in Robotics and Nanotechnology
• Electrochemistry in Ecology and Environmental Processes
• How electrochemistry plays an important role in energy generation
• Photovoltaic cells and hybrid energy systems
• Nanostructured materials for fuel cells
• Solar Systems and Electrochemistry
• Biomolecular interactions and electroanalysis
• Chemical and electrochemical methods in disease diagnosis
• Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Hexacyanoferrate-Doped Polypyrrole
• Energy Storage in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Materials
• Conducting Organic Polymers with Electroactive Dopants
• Electrochemistry for bioprocess engineering applications
• Electrochemical enhancement of microbial product formation
• Electron transfer of electrode-bound enzymes
• Transport mechanism and interfacial reactions within the oxide layer
• Oxide layer modelling
• Preparative electrochemistry or electrosynthesis
• Electrochemical methods in analytical chemistry
• Electrochemical synthesis methods
• Fuel cell technology in Technical Chemistry 
• Electrochemical reactions
• Phase boundary electrode-electrolyte
• Phase boundary between an electronic conductor (electrode) and an ionic conductor (electrolyte)
• Applications of electrochemistry
• Reduction of metal salts for the production of base metals, mainly by electrolysis
• Use of electrolytic metal deposition in electroplating
• Provision of an electrical voltage, especially for mobile applications
• History of Electrochemistry

We know your chemistry research projects are incomplete without these eyecatching topics. Read them and wisely write on these subject to amaze your professor.

Read More:  Business Research Topics

Organic Chemistry research topics

• A novel process for the production of sophisticated molecules
• Addition of amino sugars to acetylenic compounds
• Environmental remediation and as a reaction containment medium
• Intermolecular interactions for the molecular recognition of peptides and proteins
• Synthesis of glycosylamines from disaccharides and lipooligosaccharides
• Catalysis with metal and organocatalysts, photocatalysis, natural product synthesis, unnatural amino acids and peptide foldamers
• Development and modification of gels based on polymers for use in drug delivery
• Reusable catalyst makes oxidation of CH bonds with oxygen easier and more efficient
• Structural analysis of nodulation factors produced by bacteria of the genus Rhizobium
• Imidazopyridines as new materials
• Effects of Ultra-Violet Light on Activation of Oxygen
• Synthesis of large unsymmetrical imines by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction
• Improved pharmaceuticals thanks to fluorine
• Application of the hydroxy-ketone reductive grouping in obtaining trans-fused polyethers
• Role of Biochemistry in the creation of Antibiotics
• Application of the olefin metathesis (RCM) reaction in the synthesis of Orthocondensated polyoxepanes
• Sugars in green olives
• Synthetic applications of d-glucose derivatives
• Synthesis, structure, coordination and applications in asymmetric catalysis
• Natural product synthesis and convergent technologies
• Activation of growth factors for fibroblasts by glycosaminoglycans effect
• Thiols, preparation and handling
• Biotransformations of industrial interest catalyzed by fungal peroxygenases
• Carbohydrate multivalent systems functionalize proteins and surfaces
• Fused n-heterocyclic carbenes in biaryl systems
• Hair structure
• Biochemistry for bioremediation
• Chemical and structural characterization of lignin and lipids of lignocellulosic materials of industrial interest
• Physicochemical characterization of citronella, soapstone, and eucalyptus essential oil
• Electrophilic Substitution Reactions: Synthesis of Nitrobenzene
• Essential oils: uses and properties
• Activation of growth factors for fibroblasts by glycosaminoglycans

Read More:  Finance Research Topics

Inorganic Chemistry research topics

• Soil and water contamination by inorganic compounds
• Synthesis and characterization of Coordination Compounds and their use as homogeneous catalysts
• Free Radicals and Antioxidants
• Analytical Chemistry associated with the study of inorganic compounds
• Quantum molecular modeling and mechanics
• Inorganic Materials
• Hydrogen reactivity with inorganic compounds
• Bond theory analysis
• Chemistry of some transition elements
• Boric Acid Preparation
• Types of inorganic chemical reactions
• Introduction to inorganic chemistry
• Study of the atomic spectrum
• Crystal defects in inorganic chemistry
• Explosives and violent reactions in inorganic compounds
• Objective characterization of wines through aroma components
• Microstructural characterization of nanoparticles and magnetic “nano-composites” of iron
• Chemical, morphological, mineralogical, and genesis characters of the salt mines
• Physical and chemical characteristics of the soils occupied by olive groves
• Theoretical analysis and development of instrumentation to apply the new technique of thermal analysis at a constant rate of reaction
• Alteration of rocks and soil formation in Utah
• The catalytic activity of 4f metal oxides in the decomposition of various carboxylic acids and alcohols
• Activation of ethylene and carbon dioxide by molybdenum complexes
• Platinum promoting action on nickel catalysts supported on activated Bentonite
• Homogeneous catalysis (with an organometallic, transition metal, lanthanide and representative compounds)
• Methods of synthesis of organometallic compounds assisted by microwaves.
• Design of molecular precursors with relevance in materials chemistry.
• Chemistry of inorganic heterocycles.
• Immobilization of organometallic and coordination compounds in polypropylene membranes.

Read More: High School Research Topics

Biochemistry research topics

• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Cell differentiation and metabolism
• Biochemistry of Individual Molecules
• Enterobacteriaceae envelopes: modulation of their structure in response to environmental cues and impact on pathogenicity
• Neuroplasticidad y Neurogenética
• Environmental biotechnology applied to water decontamination.
• Reproductive Aging
• Neurobiochemistry
• Regulatory proteins of iron metabolism
• Iron deficiency anaemia and cardiovascular disease
• Iron deficiency anaemia and oxidative stress
• Nutritional anaemias independent workers
• Food incompatibilities for iron absorption
• Evaluation of anaemia and iron deficiency in schoolchildren
• Iron deficiency anaemia and evaluation of school performance
• Iron deficiency anaemia in students of Educational Centers
• Copper Levels and Oxidative Stress in the Elderly
• Iron Levels and Oxidative Stress in the Elderly
• Evaluation of transcription factors (surgical samples)
• Biochemical markers in oxidative stress
• Antioxidant activity in irradiated food products
• Kinetics of the reactivity of antioxidants in food
• Evaluation of oxidative stress in various pathological states
• Iron levels in the Elderly
• Copper Levels in the Elderly
• Evaluation of the synergistic effect in a mixture of antioxidant compounds
• Antioxidant activity in medicinal plants
• Food patterns and evaluation of antioxidant capacity in food
• Markers in Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease
• Biochemical markers in Diabetes mellitus
• Chemotherapy with redesigned Methotrexate
• The Biosynthesis of triglycerides or triacylglycerides
• Consequences of suffering from coronary disease
• What medications should be administered in patients with osteoporosis?
• Appearances of physiological alterations in older adults
• The impact of the administration of clindamycin, amikacin, and ceftazidime in hospitalized patients
• Pharmaceutical advice to reduce stress
• Dyslipidemia in Diabetes mellitus
• Diabetes mellitus and transcription factors (Cell culture)
• Factors that lead to cholesterol excretion
• Nutritional evaluation of pregnant diabetic mothers
• How do blood alcohol levels influence drivers involved in traffic accidents?
• Pleiotropic effects of oral hypoglycemic drugs
• Importance of eating foods rich in carotenoids
• The biochemical and toxicological impact of lead with environmental contact
• The importance of emotions in the intervention of our digestive system
• Lifestyles and Diabetes mellitus
• Adiposity in Diabetes mellitus
• Diabetological education of the patient with Diabetes mellitus
• The impact of drug administration

Read More:  Nursing Research Topics

Nano / Nuclear Chemistry research topics

• Modeling of metallic nanostructures
• Modeling of nanostructures supported on oxides
• Development of advanced nanomaterials with specific
• Nanomaterials in the fight against cancer and spinal cord injuries in laboratory rats for neuronal reconnection
• Study of the effects of radiation on the structure and properties of nanomaterials
• Development of nanostructured substrates for Raman spectroscopy applications
• Implants in neural tissues of the spinal cord to promote lost communication between the brain and the rest of the body
• Design and preparation of theragnostic radiopharmaceuticals
• Research and development of radiopharmaceuticals based on nanosystems for use in molecular nuclear medicine
• Hydrogen storage, the capture of toxic gases, improvement of solar cells
• Geometric optimization of nanostructures using classical methods
• Calculation of energies and molecular properties
• Synthesis of supercapacitors with carbon nanotubes
• Simulation of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of nanostructures
• Development of bactericidal dressings based on metallic nanoparticles
• Modernization of the ININ X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory
• Thin coatings of transparent materials with high hardness

Read More:  Psychology Research Paper Topics

Green Chemistry research topics

• Green chemistry and environmental sustainability
• Strategies to make organocatalysis “greener”
• The Chemical Knowledge and Environmental Question
• Approach to school green chemistry, through green protocols
• Sustainable Chemistry: Nature, purposes, and scope
• Postgraduate studies in sustainable chemistry
• Didactic knowledge of the content on green chemistry
• Photochemical synthesis by sunlight
• Green Chemistry: A Present and Future Theme for Chemistry Education
• The environmental dimension of experimentation in the teaching of chemistry
• Role of Chemistry and its teaching in the construction of a sustainable future
• A foundation for the incorporation of green chemistry in organic chemistry curricula
• Contribution of green chemistry to the construction of a socially responsible science
• Aspects of the pedagogical knowledge of the content of green chemistry in university professors of chemistry
• Asymmetric organocatalyzed reactions in the absence of a solvent
• Green Chemistry for Postgraduates

Read More:  Social Work Research Topics

Archaeological Chemistry research topics

• Archaeochemistry of the United States
• Archaeochemistry of Egyptian Pyramids
• Archaeochemistry of Mohanjodaro
• Archaeochemistry of Cambodia
• Archaeological dating, characterization, prospecting, and conservation
• The role of bio-deteriorated ceramics in the formation processes of archaeological sites
• Study of biodeterioration in archaeological ceramics from Mayan Ruins
• Deterioration of ceramic fragments due to the action of lichens
• Applicability of preventive conservation to archaeological ceramics impacted by biodeterioration

Our highly skilled professionals have provided you with superb research topics in chemistry. You can choose anyone matching your speciality and start working on making your paper a piece of art.

Conclusion:

Never believe anyone who says you can’t go for a chemistry degree or PhD. Just listen to your heart and it will all make sense. Chemistry is one of the coolest subjects. If you do it right, with a chemistry research topic that inspires you, then no one can stop you from having your chemical breakthrough. Believe in yourself and the world will see your success like a mushroom cloud. 

If you still have any confusion, or can’t find time to write a perfect chemistry paper, you can ping us through our  contact  page and get expert chemistry writing opinions from  our writers . If you just want to get on with it and seek our services, you can place your  order now .

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Top 75 chemistry research topics for your paper.

October 10, 2019

Are you looking for the best chemistry research topics on the Internet? We are happy to tell you that you have arrived at the right place. Even though our topics are public and anyone can use them, we are doing our best to keep this list as fresh as possible. However, if you are worried about the originality of your next chemistry research paper topics, we have a great tip on how to find 100% original topics.

In this post, we will be discussing why you need interesting chemistry topics for research projects. We will also show you how to find many more topics. Of course, because we are all about helping the student, we will give you 75 interesting chemistry topics to research. You are free to use these topics as you see fit. This means you are allowed to reword them in any way.

The Truth About Chemistry Research Paper Topics

Let’s start with the beginning. Why would you want to find the most interesting chemistry research topics? You are probably well aware that professors are looking carefully at each topic they see. In most cases, students write about the same old topics. And truth be told, teachers are tired and bored of reading the same thing over and over again. This is why, when the professor sees a new topic, he instantly becomes interesting. And an interested academic is much more likely to award your hard work with a top grade. This is why we consider chemistry topics for research papers to be so important.

Finding Awesome Chemistry Topics for Research Papers

When you are looking for chemistry topics for research project, you may be tempted to turn to Google and to the myriad of websites on it. But this is not the best approach. In the beginning of the post, we promised you the best way to get 100% original topics, and we will keep our word. The best way to get research paper topics chemistry professors will be really interested in is to work with a professional. In other words, you should contact an academic writer and ask for a chemistry research topics list. Yes, it will cost you a couple bucks, but this money is well spent. You will get a list of topics that none of your peers has access to. The best way to find a reliable academic writer who will deliver on his promises is to contact an academic writing company. There are several reliable ones on the Internet, of course.

The Best 75 Chemistry Topics for Research

Looking for chemistry research topics high school teachers would love to read about? Are you a college student or an undergrad who is looking for fresh chemistry topics to research? Regardless what you need these topics for, we are here to help! We have asked our experienced chemistry writers to compile a list of the best chemistry topics; chemistry topics that they would recommend to their clients.

Organic Chemistry Research Topics

Of course, no list would be complete without organic chemistry research topics. Organic chemistry is a huge area of chemistry, so there are plenty of things to talk about. Also, new research is being done all the time, so you can easily find fresh ideas and information. Here are some of our best ideas:

• The types of isomerism in organic compounds.
• What are nucleophiles?
• What are aniline dyes?
• The stability of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
• Describe what an oil is.
• How is hydrocarbon fuel produced?
• What are electrophiles?
• Describe phenol as an acid.
• How are globular proteins formed?
• What is an organosilicon compound?
• How dangerous is snow pollution?

Chemistry Research Topics for High School

We have some of the best chemistry research paper topics for high school students on the Internet. These topics are not very difficult and you can easily find plenty of information online. This means that you can write an essay on any of the following topics in as little as 2 hours:

• Analyzing the PH effect on plants.
• How are pearls created?
• Growing artificial diamonds.
• How to optimize the brewing of tea?
• How do we detect heavy metals in plants?
• Analyzing the air we breathe.
• The dangers of using petroleum products.
• Natural versus synthetic detergents.
• Explain barium toxicity.
• How can indoor plants benefit from chemistry?
• How do you clean oil effectively?

Chemistry Research Topics for College

Chemistry research topics for college students are a bit more difficult. After all, college professors expect you to put in a lot more work than a high school student. This doesn’t mean that you can’t write these papers quickly though. Here are some of the best topics we can think of:

• The hidden dangers of tap water.
• How did Dmitri Mendeleev discover the Periodic Table?
• How harmful are electronic cigarettes?
• Analyzing the water memory effect.
• What’s in the first aid kit?
• The effects of carboxylic acids on humans.
• How can you freeze water fast?
• Analyzing anti-icing solutions on airports.
• The classification of chemical reactions.
• What is a covalent polar bond?
• How does water purification work?

Inorganic Chemistry Research Topics

Of course, we have to include inorganic chemistry research topics in our list. We can’t have organic topics in here without inorganic topics. There are plenty of topics about inorganic chemistry out there, but we have selected only the best for you:

• Why is NaCl salty?
• How are sapphires formed?
• Explain the Law of Multiple Proportions.
• Explain the various states of matter.
• The effect of sulfuric acid on organic material.
• Why is silicone dioxide used in solar cells?
• The difference between organic and inorganic compounds.
• Why is inorganic chemistry important?
• Discussing Lewis Structures and Electron Dot Models.
• Explain Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures.

Chemistry Research Topics for Undergraduates

Yes, chemistry research topics for undergraduates are more difficult than those aimed at college students. However, we’ve made sure to only select topics that you can find a lot of information about. In other words, it’s not impossible to write an essay on one of our topics in one day. Here is what we propose:

• How do we use hydrogen to discover oxygen?
• How does an allergy develop?
• What is surface tension? Any applications?
• Discussing the ionization methods used in the mass spectrometry process.
• How can one stabilize lithium?
• What are food dyes really made of?
• A study of the Lewis Structure.
• Why is Ibuprofen considered dangerous?
• Explaining the chemical equilibrium effect.
• How are nanophotonics used in military applications?

Most Interesting Chemistry Research Topics

You are probably aware that professors really appreciate interesting chemistry research topics. This is precisely why we have compiled a list of interesting topics. These topics can be picked by both high school students and college students. Some of these topics can even be picked by undergrads:

• How does photocatalysis work in 3D printers?
• Who was Fritz Haber?
• What are nanoreactors in chemistry?
• Why do glow sticks glow?
• What is Californium?
• Why does the Sun burn without the need for oxygen?
• How do you freeze air?
• Why is there Sodium Azide in car airbags?
• How is dry ice made?
• What is the color of oxygen?

Easy Chemistry Topics

At the very end of our list, you can find the easy chemistry topics. These are perfect for when you need to write an essay quickly (usually in less than an hour). You don’t want to do a lot of research and you want to find all the relevant information with a single Google search. These are the topics for you:

• Why does water expand upon freezing?
• What are pesticides made of?
• How are batteries made?
• Describe a thermoelectric material.
• How can we avoid pesticides?
• How do synthetic molecules replicate?
• What are the implications of the Thermodynamics Laws?
• What is cholesterol?
• How do vitamins act in the human body?
• Why is aspirin a pain killer?
• What are steroids?
• The process of recycling plastics.

Many students have asked us if simply finding chemistry research topics is enough to get an A or an A+. Sadly, the answer is “No.” Your professor will award you some bonus points for an original, interesting topic. However, if you don’t write in the proper academic format, or if you make serious errors, you will get a low grade. This is why we always tell our readers to learn as much as possible about academic paper writing.

For a chemistry paper, the first thing you should do is read about the five paragraph essay structure. It will get you out of a lot of problems, guaranteed. After you know how to write the paper correctly, pick one of our topics and start writing. Good luck!

It’s time to nail your grades! Get your 20% discount on a chemistry writing assignment with promo “ ewriting20 ” – and enjoy your college life!

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Researchers detect a new molecule in space

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New research from the group of MIT Professor Brett McGuire has revealed the presence of a previously unknown molecule in space. The team's open-access paper, “ Rotational Spectrum and First Interstellar Detection of 2-Methoxyethanol Using ALMA Observations of NGC 6334I ,” appears in April 12 issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters .

Zachary T.P. Fried , a graduate student in the McGuire group and the lead author of the publication, worked to assemble a puzzle comprised of pieces collected from across the globe, extending beyond MIT to France, Florida, Virginia, and Copenhagen, to achieve this exciting discovery. 

“Our group tries to understand what molecules are present in regions of space where stars and solar systems will eventually take shape,” explains Fried. “This allows us to piece together how chemistry evolves alongside the process of star and planet formation. We do this by looking at the rotational spectra of molecules, the unique patterns of light they give off as they tumble end-over-end in space. These patterns are fingerprints (barcodes) for molecules. To detect new molecules in space, we first must have an idea of what molecule we want to look for, then we can record its spectrum in the lab here on Earth, and then finally we look for that spectrum in space using telescopes.”

Searching for molecules in space

The McGuire Group has recently begun to utilize machine learning to suggest good target molecules to search for. In 2023, one of these machine learning models suggested the researchers target a molecule known as 2-methoxyethanol. 

“There are a number of 'methoxy' molecules in space, like dimethyl ether, methoxymethanol, ethyl methyl ether, and methyl formate, but 2-methoxyethanol would be the largest and most complex ever seen,” says Fried. To detect this molecule using radiotelescope observations, the group first needed to measure and analyze its rotational spectrum on Earth. The researchers combined experiments from the University of Lille (Lille, France), the New College of Florida (Sarasota, Florida), and the McGuire lab at MIT to measure this spectrum over a broadband region of frequencies ranging from the microwave to sub-millimeter wave regimes (approximately 8 to 500 gigahertz). 

The data gleaned from these measurements permitted a search for the molecule using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations toward two separate star-forming regions: NGC 6334I and IRAS 16293-2422B. Members of the McGuire group analyzed these telescope observations alongside researchers at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (Charlottesville, Virginia) and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 

“Ultimately, we observed 25 rotational lines of 2-methoxyethanol that lined up with the molecular signal observed toward NGC 6334I (the barcode matched!), thus resulting in a secure detection of 2-methoxyethanol in this source,” says Fried. “This allowed us to then derive physical parameters of the molecule toward NGC 6334I, such as its abundance and excitation temperature. It also enabled an investigation of the possible chemical formation pathways from known interstellar precursors.”

Looking forward

Molecular discoveries like this one help the researchers to better understand the development of molecular complexity in space during the star formation process. 2-methoxyethanol, which contains 13 atoms, is quite large for interstellar standards — as of 2021, only six species larger than 13 atoms were detected outside the solar system , many by McGuire’s group, and all of them existing as ringed structures.  

“Continued observations of large molecules and subsequent derivations of their abundances allows us to advance our knowledge of how efficiently large molecules can form and by which specific reactions they may be produced,” says Fried. “Additionally, since we detected this molecule in NGC 6334I but not in IRAS 16293-2422B, we were presented with a unique opportunity to look into how the differing physical conditions of these two sources may be affecting the chemistry that can occur.”

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A chemical mystery solved -- the reaction explaining large carbon sinks

A mystery that has puzzled the scientific community for over 50 years has finally been solved. A team from Linköping University, Sweden, and Helmholtz Munich have discovered that a certain type of chemical reaction can explain why organic matter found in rivers and lakes is so resistant to degradation. Their study has been published in the journal Nature .

"This has been the holy grail within my field of research for over 50 years," says Norbert Hertkorn, scientist in analytical chemistry previously at Helmholtz Munich and currently at Linköping University.

Let us take it from the beginning. When, for example, a leaf detaches from a tree and falls to the ground, it begins to break down immediately. Before the leaf decomposes, it consists of a few thousand distinct biomolecules; molecules that can be found in most living matter.

The decomposition of the leaf occurs in several phases. Insects and microorganisms begin to consume it, while sunlight and humidity affect the leaf, causing further breakdown. Eventually, the molecules from the decomposed leaf are washed into rivers, lakes and oceans.

However, at this point, the thousands of known biomolecules have been transformed into millions of very different-looking molecules with complex and typically unknown structures. This dramatic chemical transformation process has remained a mystery that has confounded researchers for over half a century, until now.

"Now we can elucidate how a couple of thousand molecules in living matter can give rise to millions of different molecules that rapidly become very resistant to further degradation," says Norbert Hertkorn.

The team discovered that a specific type of reaction, known as oxidative dearomatisation, is behind the mystery. Although this reaction has long been studied and applied extensively in pharmaceutical synthesis, its natural occurrence remained unexplored.

In the study, the researchers showed that oxidative dearomatisation changes the three-dimensional structure of some biomolecule components, which in turn can activate a cascade of subsequent and differentiated reactions, resulting in millions of diverse molecules.

Scientists previously believed that the path to dissolved organic matter involved a slow process with many sequential reactions. However, the current study suggests that the transformation occurs relatively quickly.

The team examined dissolved organic matter from four tributaries of the Amazon River and two lakes in Sweden. They employed a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to analyse the structure of millions of diverse molecules. Remarkably, regardless of the climate, the fundamental structure of the dissolved organic matter remained consistent.

"Key to the findings was the unconventional use of NMR in ways allowing studies of the deep interior of large dissolved organic molecules -- thereby mapping and quantifying the chemical surroundings around the carbon atoms." explains Siyu Li, scientist at the Helmholtz Zentrum and lead author of the study.

In biomolecules carbon atoms can be connected to four other atoms, most often to hydrogen or oxygen. However, to the team's surprise, a very high fraction of the organic carbon atoms was not connected to any hydrogen but instead primarily to other carbon atoms. Particularly intriguing was the large number of carbon atoms bound specifically to three other carbons and one oxygen atom, a structure being very rare in biomolecules.

According to David Bastviken, professor of environmental change at Linköping University, this renders the organic matter stable, allowing it to persist for a long time and preventing it from rapidly returning to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide or methane.

"This discovery helps explaining the substantial organic carbon sinks on our planet, which reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," says David Bastviken.

• Organic Chemistry
• Geochemistry
• Air Quality
• Global Warming
• Autocatalysis
• Organic farming methods
• Periodic table
• Eutrophication

Story Source:

Materials provided by Linköping University . Original written by Anders Törneholm. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Siyu Li, Mourad Harir, David Bastviken, Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, Michael Gonsior, Alex Enrich-Prast, Juliana Valle, Norbert Hertkorn. Dearomatization drives complexity generation in freshwater organic matter . Nature , 2024; 628 (8009): 776 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07210-9

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Chemical rope trick at molecular level: Mechanism research helps when 'trial and error' fails

by Martha Höhne, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis

In most industrial chemical reactions, catalysts combine with the starting materials and accompany them through intermediate stages to the product. In chemistry, this pathway is known as the reaction mechanism, and it is a kind of black box: nobody knows what is happening at the molecular level at first.

If the reaction result in the laboratory falls short of expectations, chemists first resort to trial and error. Put simply, they modify the reaction until it works. Sometimes, however, it is worth taking a closer look at the reaction mechanism , as Dr. Nora Jannsen at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock shows using a model reaction.

She recently published her findings, which she obtained as part of her doctorate, in the Journal of the American Chemical Society .

The model reaction sounds unspectacular and, above all, strange to the layman's ear, explains Jannsen. "Benzotriazole, usually a corrosion inhibitor, is converted into a new substance with an allene (the emphasis here is on the second syllable) using a rhodium catalyst ." This is then called allylbenzotriazole and can be used in a variety of syntheses. The reaction was developed by a research group led by Prof. Breit at the University of Freiburg.

Functional group set precisely

The colleagues in Freiburg succeeded in precisely linking a " functional group " to a very specific position in benzotrialzole. This is where a nitrogen–hydrogen bond (N–H) is located, as Jannsen explains.

"Functional groups" are important as molecular segments because they are responsible for the specific, e.g., pharmaceutical, effect.

"The Freiburg team wanted to place such a group in benzotriazole exactly where the N–H bond is, and the N–H bond has to give way for this," Jannsen continues. The colleagues managed to do this. "But they didn't understand on what basis they had achieved this."

That is unfortunate. Because only with an understanding of the molecular events can the reaction be specifically applied and optimized in the future. This was the aim of Jannsen's dissertation, which she successfully defended in Rostock in 2023.

Idea: Catalyst breaks bond

So how does such a reaction work? The start and end are known. What is also known about this reaction is that every single atom from the starting materials is later found in the product; chemists call this an "atom-economic" reaction. This means that in the course of the reaction, the hydrogen from the N–H bond must pass from the benzotriazole to the second starting material, the allene.

Jannsen says, "The Freiburg scientists thought that the catalyst breaks the nitrogen–hydrogen bond, i.e., a so-called oxidative addition of the benzotriazole takes place. Rhodium catalysts are known for this type of reaction."

Jannsen tested the idea by first reacting the rhodium catalyst with only one starting material, benzotriazole. She isolated samples from this reaction for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The result: "The N–H bond is not broken at all. The benzotriazole remains completely intact, it only attaches itself to the catalyst."

Result: Simple coordination

The chemist then discovered that the second starting substance, allen, also binds to the catalyst. And this is where the following happens: "The two starting materials come into direct contact with each other, and the benzotriazole transfers the hydrogen atom, also known as the proton, to the allene. The catalyst merely holds the starting materials in place, but does not intervene directly in this step."

Jannsen then substantiated this proposal in detail using quantum mechanics , i.e., by theoretically modeling the reaction pathway.

Jannsen was surprised that the catalyst managed the whole thing so simply. For laypeople, it may sound a bit like a chemical rope trick. In technical terms, such a process is well known and is called protonation.

This process had an advantage. Jannsen says, "Interestingly, the reaction conditions for protonation can be significantly improved by adding another proton source." For example, she succeeded in reducing the reaction temperature from 80°C to room temperature by adding a type of co-catalyst.

A lot does not always help a lot

Jannsen also discovered that the benzotriazole can also block the catalyst under certain circumstances. This is the case when this starting substance occupies the catalyst twice, so that its reaction partner, the allen, cannot find a free space on the catalyst.

This paralyzes the catalytic activity and leads to the catalyst being "consumed." "It probably helps here to simply add the starting material to the reaction successively so that the catalyst comes into less contact with it," Jannsen says.

Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society

Provided by Leibniz Institute for Catalysis

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Programmable liquid hints at widespread applications

By Tom Metcalfe 2024-04-26T14:38:00+01:00

• No comments

An international team of scientists has created a liquid metamaterial, or ‘metafluid’, which can be manipulated to change its properties, like its viscosity and transparency.

The creators of the material found that it behaved like a Newtonian liquid in its normal state – when its viscosity is proportional only to its temperature – but as a shear thinning non-Newtonian liquid when compressed, which suggests a range of possible applications from robotics to shock-absorbers. 1

While most metamaterials have been artificially-structured solids with desirable properties – such as the directional flow of electromagnetic radiation 2 like light – the experimental metafluid aims to introduce some of these in a liquid form.

The new metafluid consists of hundreds of thousands of spherical elastic shells, on average 250μm across, made from silicone rubber and filled with air that are suspended in silicone oil. Under normal conditions the shells maintain their spherical shape and scatter light, making the metafluid opaque. But when the metafluid is compressed above a critical pressure – which can be tailored during the manufacturing process – the shells collapse into a half-moon shape. The metafluid then acts in a non-Newtonian manner, with its viscosity decreasing as it flows, and also becomes transparent to light, with the collapsed shells acting as tiny lenses. When the pressure then drops, the shells resume their spherical shape.

Senior author Katia Bertoldi , a professor of applied mechanics at Harvard University, says this method of creating a metafluid has many possibilities. ‘Collapsible shells introduce interesting behaviours into the fluid, and this may expand their functionality and lead to state-dependent properties,’ she says.

To test the usefulness of their approach, the researchers used a version of their metafluid, containing two types of collapsible shells, in a robotic hydraulic gripper – one type of shell that collapsed at around 60kPa and another that collapsed around 350kPa. They then used the gripper to grasp objects of different sizes and compressive strengths.

A traditional hydraulic system using air or water would need some sort of external sensing or controls to be able to adjust its grip to hold different objects without breaking them. But the robotic gripper using the metafluid was able to pick up a heavy glass bottle, an egg and a blueberry without any additional sensing or controls: instead, the metafluid itself responded to the different pressures required.

Source: A Djellouli et al, Nature, 2024, 628, 545

Future research will focus on changes in the thermodynamics and acoustics of the metafluid, thereby ‘enabling the enhancement of thermodynamic cycles and customisable sound propagation’, the researchers wrote. ‘The versatility of these metafluids opens numerous opportunities for functionality,’ they added.

Physicist Corentin Coulais , who studies soft matter and metamaterials at the University of Amsterdam but was not involved in the new study, says some earlier research had considered the prospects of using such metafluids in robotics, but ‘this is taking the topic much further’.

He notes that metafluids need not only consist of suspended spheres, but also of other types of suspension, as well as quite different substances. But ‘the bottleneck is always in making those things,’ he says. ‘That’s pretty much what limits what you can do and what you can imagine.’

Physicist Anton Souslov , who studies soft materials and mechanical metamaterials at the University of Cambridge but who also wasn’t involved, says the idea is ‘especially intriguing’. ‘Fluid flow is all around us, and this work demonstrates the richness of novel flow phenomena that can be realised when the underlying fluid is composed of meta-atoms,’ he says.

1 A Djellouli et al , Nature , 2024, 628 , 545 (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07163-z )

2 J Zeng et al , Sci. Rep. , 2013, 3 , 2826 (DOI: 10.1038/srep02826 )

• Metamaterials
• Soft matter

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• OTP Town Hall: CMC Readiness for Gene Therapy BLAs - 06/04/2024

Town Hall | Virtual

Event Title OTP Town Hall: CMC Readiness for Gene Therapy BLAs June 4, 2024

The FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Office of Therapeutic Products (OTP) is hosting its next virtual town hall on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to answer stakeholder questions regarding the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) information submitted with biologics license applications (BLAs) for gene therapy products. Experts from OTP’s Office of Gene Therapy CMC will be on hand to answer questions.

Focus for This Town Hall: Gene Therapy BLA CMC Readiness

The FDA requires sponsors to provide CMC information as part of investigational new drug, biologics license, and new drug applications. For gene therapies and other biologic products, the CMC information should describe the sponsor’s commitment to perform manufacturing and testing to assure product safety, identity, quality, purity, and strength (including potency). The focus of this virtual town hall is to answer questions related to CMC data and information needed to support pre-BLA meetings or original BLA submissions, including the commercial manufacturing process, product comparability (if applicable), stability data, and more. For more information, please view materials from previous town halls on gene therapy CMC . 

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Questions can be submitted during registration. Please submit questions by May 13, 2024. Attendees will also be able to submit questions during the live event.

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About the OTP Town Hall Series

OTP launched its virtual town hall series to engage with product development stakeholders and discuss topics related to OTP-regulated products. The town halls have a question-and-answer format with the goal of providing regulatory information to stakeholders to advance drug development. Learn more about OTP  and view recordings from our previous town hall events .

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