Chemistry Topics in extended essays:

An extended essay in Chemistry gives you a wonderful opportunity to study an area of the
subject which interests you.
Good chemistry extended essays are projects using standard chemistry techniques that you make
your own the project must have your voice and input. Additionally, you have to ensure that the
project is viable given the apparatus available in the college. In the Chemistry department at the
college, we have a variety of techniques available for use; colorimetry, polarimetry, thin layer
chromatography for example. Your project could also include extractions from natural plants,
distillations and other commonly used chemical techniques.
1.

Environmental Chemistry
An important issue, but an ambitious topic: the chemical processes which occur in the
environment are generally complex and often not fully understood. Many environmental
essays fail to include sufficient chemistry and only present a broad synopsis of the issues.
Experimentation often focus on the analysis of samples of water or soil, with no chemical
principle involved in the explanation of the results. There are, however, some notable
exceptions, in which the student selects a chemically based research question which is
narrow enough to enable meaningful conclusions to be drawn.

2.

Pure Chemistry
Kinetics of a reactions, enthalpies of combustion, mechanism, etc. Although not as
popular, the students who attempt pure research mostly produce good work, with the
exception of those candidates who chose a superficial investigation or a standard class
experiment.

3.

Chemical Techniques
Chromatography, electrophoresis, spectrometry, polarimetry etc. Can be a successful
topic; most students concentrate on perfecting a technique and in stating their own input
in improving the investigation.

4.

Applied Chemistry
Dyes, ascorbic acid, caffeine, gasohol, aspirin, soap, etc, This is the most popular area of
study. An interesting and relevant topic, but some students fail into the trap of writing
journalistically about a topic, rather than investigating a specific question.

TITLES OF SOME PAST/POSSTBLE EXTENDED ESSAYS IN CHEMISTRY

The effect of standing time and temperature on the carbon dioxide content of soda water.
The effect of standing time on the acid content in orange juice.
Analysis of the ethanol and add content of cheap and expensive wines.
Extraction of citric acid from ripe and unripe lemons.
The effect of temperature on the souring of milk
A comparison of the % fat in full cream milk, shape and trim,
Preparation and comparison of soaps and glycerol.
The effect of temperature and heat treatment on the action of rennet on milk
The effect of cooking methods and pH on the retention of pigments in vegetables.
Colorimetry and the estimation of reducing sugars.
Preparation and analysis of aspirin.
Effect of cooking method and time on the vitamin C content of cabbage.
Finding the solubility product of lead chloride.

Colorimeter estimation of starch content in rices.

An investigation into lead pollution.
A variation of the Double Slit Experiment
Caffeine in tea -- can it be reduced?
Does the chemical composition of thiamine affect the growth of bean seeds?
Looking for heat-- a systematic investigation into sources of error in calorimetry.
Physical aspects of any ascillating chemical reaction.
Protein, content of beer using infra red.
Fuel cells.
Infra-red photography as a method of measuring temperature.
Effects of additives on the caking an crystal habits of sodium chloride and other inorganic salts.
A chromatographic study of human blood.
Synthesis of amino acids by an electric discharge.
Formic acid and ants.
The thickness of metal oxide layers.
Hydrogen bonding in phenolic compounds.
Decomposition of iodoform by ultra-violet light.
The reduction nitrobenzene.
The analysis of toothpaste.
Paramagnetism and diamagnetism of fourth period elements.
Investigation of acetlyacetone complexes by infra-red spectometry.
The protection of metals from atmospheric corrosion.
Hydrogen bonding in phenolic compounds.
Isolation and characterization of phosphoridyl chlorine from spinach leaves.
U.V. spectroscopic determination of caffeine in cola drinks.
Hydrolysis of tertiary-butyl alcohol
Ascorbic acid content of commercial orange juices.
Kinetics of enzyme and acid catalyzed hydrolysis of sucrose.
Ink pigments as add-base indicators.
An experimental investigation of crystal growth.
Causes of corrosion and its treatment with particular reference to corrosion in pipelines.
Chemical spot tests: the tracing of metals in selected samples of local minerals and rocks.
A fuel economy gased on methanol.
An investigation of the chemical properties of aspirin and how they are related to its
pharmacological effects.
The chemical equilibrium of acid precipitation.
Aluminum production and its effects on the environment.
Chemical analysis of soil.
Corrosion and its prevention.Conductimetric titrations.
Iodination: A possible substitute for chlorination?
TCDD, an unwanted by-product of the chemical industry.
A kinetic study of the reaction of piperidine with 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene.
Nucleophilic substitution of alkyl-halide.
The ecological effects of the long-range transportation of SO2 and NOx with emphasis on
Ontario (or Canada).

The following examples of titles for Chemistry Extended Essays are intended as guidance
only. The pairings illustrate that focused topics (indicated by the first title) should be
encouraged rather than broad topics (indicated by the second title).
Electrolytic determination of Avogadro s Number is better than Avogadro s Number.
A qualitative analysis of kidney stones is better than Methods of qualitative analysis.
Study of samples and some implications of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines is better
than Chemical processes in volcanoes.
Analysis of the Vitamin-C content of selected orange drinks is better than A study of Vitamin C.
An investigation into the structure of phenoxyalkanoic acids in view of their function as growth
regulating herbicides is better than The structure of chemical herbicides.
Thermal and catalytic processes in petroleum refining is better than Petroleum and its
derivatives.
Distribution of toxic aluminium species in dependence of the pH, calculated theoretically (using
a computer program) and determined experimentally is better than Is aluminium toxic?
Extraction of natural pigments and their use as dyeing agents is better than Natural dyes.
Kinetics of oxidation of Iodide with H2O2 in acidic solutions is better than Chemical kinetics.
The preparation and characterisation of Thiokol rubber is better than Elastomeric materials.
Synthesis of 4-acetyl methylbenzoate is better than Esterification reactions.
Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of lead in drinking water is better than
Water analysis.