Sample interview questions: How do you approach designing experiments to investigate the optical or magnetic properties of inorganic materials?
Sample answer:
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Define the research question or hypothesis. Clearly articulate the specific question or hypothesis you aim to investigate. This will guide the design and execution of your experiments.
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Choose appropriate inorganic materials. Select materials likely to exhibit the optical or magnetic properties of interest. Consider factors such as their composition, structure, and purity.
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Select appropriate experimental techniques. Choose techniques capable of measuring the optical or magnetic properties you wish to investigate. Common techniques include UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.
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Design experiments to control variables. Carefully control variables that could potentially affect the results of your experiments. This may include factors such as temperature, pressure, and the concentration of reactants.
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Perform preliminary experiments to optimize conditions. Conduct preliminary experiments to optimize experimental conditions and ensure that the results are reproducible. This will help you identify the optimal parameters for your experiments.
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