Rookie Mistakes - Record-Keeping

Mistake	Check the mistakes you have made	Number of rookies who have done this
Did not measure melting point of any organic compounds for an entire year. Measured melting point of all organic compounds synthesised within one year the night before thesis was due.		19
calculated density and volume wrong. Used 10x more than what was supposed to be used.		5
sneeze whilst weighting a final compound. final compound lost		3
Used short range pH paper when the long range pH paper was suppose to be used when acidifying solution.		3
Didn't balance equation for oxidartion reaction and got stoichiometry wrong. The Kilomentor		3
Didnt enter the exact time and date in the lab book, guessing the date and time on the day before group presentation		2
Heating the solid product under vaccum without opening the vent.		1

Other Rookie Mistakes

Equipment Reagents Setup Quenching Rxns Workup Chromatography

Distillation Spectroscopy Cleaning Record-Keeping Accidents Miscellaneous