Enlightenment in the Laboratory...

It was the 12th Std., and we Science students, around 40 of us entered the Chemistry Laboratory. We were to start with a new set of experiments. The experiments were titled "Titrations". Indeed we were going to do great experiments with great chemicals (though the smell of some of the chemicals made us skip lunch:)). Still we took pride in holding those chemicals with no concern as though to say we were experienced and the smell no longer was a big issue. After all we were the scientists of tomorrow! (Though tomorrow never came).

The experiment: A small amount of basic liquid (non acidic as I understand) was to be added from a burette to a conical flask. The conical flask was to contain acidic liquid (+ indicator). This was to be added slowly with accurate measurements till the acidic liquid turned non-acidic. This point was indicated by the indicator which changes the color of the liquid when it becomes non acidic.

The experiment had begun. Each one of us were emptying the liquid in the burette to the conical flask with utmost care. A friend of mine and I were to do this together. We took turns in emptying the burette. Most others had already begun to get a color change in the liquid and were almost through with the experiment. Generally small amounts of the solution is taken and hence the conical flask is not even half full before we get a color change. My conical flask was already half full with the liquid. But yet there was no color change. My friend and I continued to empty the burette with utmost care. The solution in the burette trickled, drop after drop, drop after drop, into the conical flask. We were to get a color change anytime now, yes anytime now... We continued and continued and continued...

We did with so much care that even a doctor operating a patient would have felt incompetent in front of us. Yes we were going to finish the experiment with good amount of accuracy. But where was the color change! The conical flask was 3/4ths full and still we had no color change! We were still hopeful and continued to empty the burette with even lesser speed now. But soon the burette was empty and the conical flask full but no color change!!!! What happened? Had we struck upon a new theory, which our juniors would have in their textbooks? The conical flask was full. How should we now proceed? May be we should use a bigger conical flask!! This conical flask was not enough for our experiment, was our conclusion.

Soon the problem floated to our instructor who took us through the checklist again. Oops!!!!!!!! Only then did we realize that we had forgotten to add the Indicator solution. The magic liquid, which was supposed to be added to the conical flask prior to the experiment, so that a color change could be noticed. My friend and I were so abashed of the mistake we had made, but we were not to give up! We looked up as though it was a very normal mistake. Even the best minds make mistakes. To err was human. We learn only through our mistakes. Thanks to all those who have invented (scientist's word you see… :)) these dialogues about "MISTAKES". Were repeated the experiment, this time with the indicator added and finally managed to finish it just in time.