The Chemistry in Practice Investigation is worth 40% of Leaving Cert Chemistry. Each year the SEC publishes a brief; you research an issue and design and carry out an experiment of your own.
| Weight | 40% of the marks |
|---|---|
| Level | A common brief, the same for every student |
| Brief | Published by the SEC each year, in term two of year one of the course |
| Time | The specification expects it to take up to 20 hours |
You research an issue linked to the brief, using secondary sources, then plan an experiment, gather your own primary data, analyse it and draw conclusions. You submit a report in Year 2 of the course in the format the SEC sets.
The specification's descriptors of quality look for reasoning about chemical phenomena, research and experimental investigative skills, and work related to the role of scientists in society: a clear purpose, relevant research, good primary data, and conclusions that the data supports.
We do not write or mark investigations. Section 1 practises the skills underneath them: hypotheses, variables, controls, error, repeatability and conclusions, in quick checks and data questions.
| Student | Result 1 / mol/L | Result 2 / mol/L | Result 3 / mol/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom | 0.100 | 0.098 | 0.103 |
| Aoife | 0.110 | 0.111 | 0.110 |
| Ciarán | 0.100 | 0.101 | 0.100 |
| Dearbhla | 0.090 | 0.108 | 0.115 |
No. The investigation must be your own work. The course practises the skills it uses.
The specification says the SEC publishes it each year in term two of year one of the course.