Titration Stakes
Pipette, Burette and Swirling all for the Year 12 Chemistry Titration Challenge
This year, five teams of three represented Applecross Senior High School in the Year 12 Chemistry Titration Challenge, where students were challenged to determine the amount of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) in an unknown solid sample. It sounds simple enough—until you realise that chemistry does not hand out points for being close enough!
Over two hours in Room 206, our aspiring analytical chemists put their pipetting, buretting and patience to the ultimate test. Students first prepared a primary standard before carefully standardising an unknown sodium hydroxide solution. They then used their newly standardised solution to determine the amount of KHP in an unknown sample.
As in any real laboratory, there were a few early battles with volumetric flasks, conical flasks, pipettes and the occasional air bubble that seemed determined to sabotage an otherwise perfect titration. Fortunately, our students quickly settled into the task and proved that practice really does make precision.
The competition this year was particularly tough, with 105 teams from 38 schools including Rossmoyne, Carine, Christ Church Grammar, St Norbert College, Corpus Christi College, Byford Secondary College and many other schools across Western Australia competing for top honours. Every drop counted—and fortunately, most of ours ended up in the flask!
Individual awards
Our fifteen students represented Applecross with enthusiasm, determination and excellent teamwork. Congratulations to all six teams for embracing the challenge and giving it their very best.
Individual scores were determined from each student’s percentage deviation from the true value of the unknown sample.
Our students shone individually. Out of 354 competitors, Applecross students were ranked 26th, 41st, 51st, 59th, 68th and 97th—a fantastic achievement and a testament to their hard work throughout the year.
Individual awards
High Distinction less than 0.5% deviation from true value as % error
Distinction 0.5 – 1.0%
Credit 1.0 – 1.5%
Competent 1.5 – 2.0%
Participation more than 2.5%
Congratulations to all fifteen students who participated. Quantitative analysis by titration requires careful technique, attention to detail and perseverance and all fifteen who took part should be proud of their achievement.
A special congratulations to Aroosh Shaharyar, Alex Sanchez and Ava Gourlay on receiving Distinction Certificates, and to Yunsun Pyo, Jessica Chen and Yongqi Chen on earning a High Distinction Certificate. We are incredibly proud of your achievements.
Team awards
Team scores were calculated as the sum of the %error achieved by each individual member, based on teams of three. Team awards were given only to the top scoring teams with a combined Team Total %error of under 5%.
Team excellent - Combined Total error of less than 3%
Highly Commended – Combined Total error of between 3-5%
Team 1 – Yongqi Chen, Aleesha Guo, Jasmine Goh
Team 2 – Nicholas Chua, Callum Richardson, Eric Qu
Team 3 – Rani Gardiner, Sophia Chen, Jessica Chen
Team 4 - Nicholas Ikeda, Ider Barnuud, Alex Sanchez
Team 5 - Ava Gourlay, Aroosh Shaharyar, Yunsun Pyo
A special mention goes to Team 5, who achieved an outstanding 7th place and received a certificate for an excellent team achievement, while Team 2 finished an impressive 39th out of the 105 teams and received a certificate for a highly commended team achievement.
Well done to everyone involved—you certainly proved that good chemistry is not just found in the laboratory, but also in great teamwork!
It was wonderful to see students with the opportunity to challenge themselves in practical chemistry and I sincerely hope they enjoyed participating.
Karen Smith, Head of Department - Science
