Increase Of Concentration Of Ethyl Acetate

Increase Of Concentration Of Ethyl Acetate Firstly the aim of the experiment is to determine the yield, conversion and reaction rate by employing the principles of material balance with chemical reaction for batch reactions. The purpose of the experiment is to find out the factors affecting the rate of reaction to increases the conversion rate the yield of product produced. The hypothesis of the experiment is that the increase of concentration of Ethyl Acetate would also increase the rate of reaction. From two different concentrations of Ethyl Acetate (0.01M and 0.02M) have shown that the 0.02M of Ethyl Acetate shows a increase in the rate of reaction and conversion rate of Sodium Hydroxide to Sodium Acetate. Secondly the theory part shows the definitions of terms like saponification, batchwise reactions and factors that affect the rate of reaction. The most important definition is the saponification which is the hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of a carboxylic acid. Thirdly, the procedure section shows how to carry out the 3 major steps which are preparation of the reactant, the experimental setup and the procedures to carry out the experiment. This is followed by the results and calculations which is about the calculation of the conversion percentage and yield of the reactions of different concentrations of Ethyl Acetate carried out in the experiment. After the results and calculations, is the discussion part which discusses the results obtained, states some precautions to be taken while carrying out the experiment and the factors that affect the results. Lastly the conclusion concludes the report by stating if the aim of the experiment had been reached and it also states that the hypothesis that the higher the concentration of the reactant, the faster the rate of reaction and conversion, has been proven. REPORT ON MATERIAL BALANCE WITH CHEMICAL REACTION 1. Introduction 1.1 Background Literature Conversion of sodium hydroxide into sodium acetate is called saponification. It is the process of making soap. It is the reaction between an ester with a metallic base and water. It is also related to the process used to convert natural fats into soap. (Donohue 2009) An alkali is a soluble salt of an alkali metal like sodium. It is used in soap-making whereby it was obtained from the ashes of plants. Now, the term alkali describes a base which neutralizes an acid. (Donohue 2009) Alkalis used in soap making are sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also called caustic soda; and potassium hydroxide (KOH), also called caustic potash. (Donohue 2009) Example: An example of the reaction is: (Therese Lotts Saponification Calculator Standalone spreadsheet for calculating saponification values in handmade soapmaking. ) (http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6751527.html) 1.2 Aim The aim of this experiment is to determine the yield, conversion and reaction rate by employing the principles of material balance with chemical reaction for batch reactions. This will also enable us to find out factors to improve the yield and the rate of conversion and reaction. 1.3 Hypothesis The hypothesis of the experiment is that if the concentration is high, the yield together with the rate of conversion and reaction would also increase. Thus, from a 0.02M concentration of Ethyl Acetate and 0.01M concentration of Ethyl Acetate, the 0.02M concentration would have a higher yield, rate of conversion and reaction. This is because at the start of the experiment the conductivity value was high but as the reaction precedes the conductivity value decreases showing the concentration and number of moles. 2. Theory 2.1 Saponification Saponification is the hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of a carboxylic acid. Saponification is commonly used to refer to the reaction of a metallic alkali with a fat or oil to form soap. Saponifiable substances are those that can be converted into soap. In the experiment the desired product is sodium acetate. (Donohue 2009) 2.2 Batchwise Reaction A batchwise reaction is a reaction where by reactants are put in and the reaction is started. After the reaction has ended, the products are taken out and the equipment and all are washed to be prepared for the next experiment. Unlike steady state reaction it does not have a continuous input and output. (Singapore Polytechnic 2009) 2.3 Percentage Conversion Xa = moles of A reacted Moles of A fed into the reactor x100% It is defined as a fraction of reactants or feed that successfully reacted to form the desired product. The above formula calculates the amount of reacts converted into products. (Singapore Polytechnic 2009) 2.4 Yield of A Product YP = Moles of desired product formed Moles of reactant fed into the reactor Yield has 3 definitions. Firstly it is amount of desired product formed based on the amount of limiting reactants feed into the reaction. Secondly it is the amount of desired product obtained divided by the amount of reactant consumed. Lastly, it is also defined as the amount of product obtained divided by the theoretically amount of limiting reactant consumed. The above reaction calculates the amount yield based on just the limiting reactant. (Singapore Polytechnic 2009) 2.5 Rate of Reaction The rate of reaction is the amount of time taken for the chemicals to react totally. (Singapore Polytechnic 2009) 2.6 Surface Area To Volume Ratio The surface area to the volume ration affects the rate of reaction. The smaller the particle, the larger its exposed surface area. With a larger exposed surface area more particles can collide with one another causing more reactions to take place within a shorter amount of time. (Purchon 2006) 2.7 Presence of a Catalyst If a catalyst is involved in a reaction, the amount of energy needed to start the reaction (activation energy) decreases. Thus, the molecules in the reactions will gain more energy that is equal to or more than the activation energy. The higher amount of energy a molecules has, the more active it will become and more collisions will occur increasing the rate of reaction. However a catalyst is not involved in this experiment. (Purchon 2006) 2.8 Pressure Pressure is another factor that affects the rate of reaction. Pressure mainly affects gases. Gases can be compressed. Thus, as pressure increases, gaseous molecules are closely packed together which allows them to collide more frequently with one another. This is almost the same as changing the concentration as the number of molecules is increased within a specific area. However the reaction is a liquid-liquid reaction so pressure does not affect the reaction in this experiment. (Purchon 2006) 2.9 Concentration Concentration affects the rate of reaction. The higher the concentration, the number of particles within a specific area increases. Thus, molecules are closely packed together and this increases the number of collisions between molecules so the rate of reaction increases. Concentration is similar to pressure where by the number of molecules in a specific area increases. (Purchon 2006) 2.10 Temperature Temperature also affects the rate of reaction. If the temperature is higher, the energy levels of the molecules increases and they would tend to more faster. Thus, this results in more effective collisions in a shorter amount of time. (Purchon 2006) 2.11 Conductivity Unlike Sodium Hydroxide, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and Sodium acetate have negligible conductivity. Thus the conductivity value of the reaction is measured by the conductivity of Sodium Hydroxide. The conductivity is used to find the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide as the reaction proceeds. (Singapore Polytechnic 2009) Fig.1) Graph of conductivity values of Sodium Hydroxide against the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide.) 3. Procedure 3.1 Preparation of chemicals The MSDS of sodium hydroxide and ethyl acetate was read and the handling and disposal of the chemicals must be familiarized before the start of the experiment. Disposable gloves and chemical goggles were put on when preparing and handling the chemicals.500 ml of 0.01 M sodium hydroxide solution and 500 ml of ethyl acetate solution to the required concentration as discussed in Questions 1 and 2 of Pre-experiment Assessment was prepared. (CP4047 Lab Manual) 3.1.1 Preparing 500 ml of 0.01 M sodium hydroxide solution: The required volume of 0.1 M NaOH stock solution was measured using a measuring cylinder and pour into the 500 ml volumetric flask. The solution in the volumetric flask was topped up with de-ionized water to the 500 ml-mark. A Stopper was placed on the flask, and it was shaken and inverted to mix the solution. (CP4047 Lab Manual) 3.1.2 To prepare 500 ml of ethyl acetate solution: About 250 ml de-ionized water was poured into a 500 ml volumetric flask first. The required volume was measured using the micropipettor. The stock solution was dispensed into the 500 ml volumetric flask.The solution in the volumetric flask was topped up to the 500 ml-mark. A stopper was placed on the flask, and was shaken and inverted to mix the solution. (CP4047 Lab Manual) 3.2 Experimental setup (CP4047 Lab Manual) 3.3 Carrying out the Experiment The prepared sodium hydroxide solution was poured into the reactor. The reaction conditions were adjusted to the predetermined levels (based on experimental methodology discussed with Lecturer). The reaction conditions were recorded, Eg. temperature, stirring speed, concentrations and volumes of reactants. Conductivity meter probe was positioned into the reacting mixture. The ethyl acetate solution was poured in and the timer was started immediately. The conductivity values (mS/cm) at a regular interval of 1 minute for 30 minutes of reaction time was recorded. After 30 minutes of reaction, the stirring device was stopped and the magnetic stir bar was removed from the mixture using the magnetic rod. The conductivity probe was also removed and rinsed thoroughly with de-ionised water. The reaction product mixture was poured into the plastic waste container. The glassware was rinsed and the experiment was repeated based on experimental methodology discussed with the Lecturer. At the end of the experiment, the conductivity probe was removed from the reacting mixture and rinsed thoroughly with de-ionised water. All chemicals were disposed in the plastic waste container and were brought to the waste together with any unused reactants to W314 for proper treatment and disposal. All the used glass-wares was rinsed and tidied up the work space. (CP4047 Lab Manual) 4. Results and Calculations 4.1 Determining the Yield of Sodium Acetate at 15 Minutes The yield of Sodium Acetate at 15minutes is determined with the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide as with the concentration, the number of mole of sodium hydroxide can be found out. Also, with the molar ratio of Sodium Hydroxide and Ethyl Acetate, the number of moles of Ethyl Acetate can be determined. With the use of the yield formula, the yield of Ethyl Acetate can be calculated. 4.2 Yield When 0.01M of Ethyl Acetate Used 5. Discussion 5.1 Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction Firstly the concentrations of Ethyl Acetate used were 0.01M and 0.02M which means that for 0.01M of Ethyl Acetate was obtained by diluting 0.49cm3 of pure Ethyl Acetate and 0.02M was obtained by diluting 0.92cm3 of pure Ethyl Acetate. By comparing the graphs (Fig 3 and 4) above, the reaction (0.02M) was the fastest. This was due to the concentration factor. The higher the concentration, the faster the rate of reaction as the increase in concentration means that there are more molecules in a specific area. Other factor like temperature and pressure were keep at a constant (standard room conditions). There was no catalyst involved the experiment. Thus, these other factors did not affect the rate of reaction. 5.2 Factors Affecting Conversion and Yield The conversion of Sodium Hydroxide and the yield of Sodium Acetate will never be a 100% due to the technical equipment and unforced human errors. It is also due to constrains in the lab like equipment or the duration of the experiment. The longer the reaction, more conversion and yield could have been produced. 5.3 Factors Affecting the Conductivity Values The concentration of Sodium Hydroxide affects the conductivity value of the reaction. If the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide is high, the conductivity value will also be high. Thus, as the reaction proceeds, the conductivity drops as the concentration of the Sodium Hydroxide decreases as it is being reacted away. For the 0.01M reaction, Fig 4.2.2 show that the concentration decreases significantly. However, for the 0.02M reaction, Fig 4.3.2 shows some fluctuations in the drop of the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide. This could be because of the equipment. The equipment, the conductivity probe and the machine has been known to turn off randomly during the reaction. Thus there was some irregularities in the drop of concentration for the 0.02M reaction. 5.4 Precautions to Be Taken During the experiment the Ethyl Acetate should always be handled in the fume hood as it would decompose in the open, thus affecting the concentration of the Ethyl Acetate and to prevent it from spilling anywhere else in the laboratory. Gloves should also be worn to prevent bacteria from contaminating the reaction or chemicals and to also protect our hands from the chemicals. Goggles should also be worn to protect our eyes from chemicals splashing into our eyes. 5.5 Comparison of conversion and yields of different concentration of Ethyl Acetate The yield of the reaction of 0.01M Ethyl Acetate is 0.62 while the yield of the reaction of 0.02M Ethyl Acetate is 0.76. The second reaction of 0.02M has a higher yield due to the higher concentration of Ethyl Acetate. This is because the concentration of the reactants is more due to the increase in concentration of Sodium Hydroxide thus, producing more products whereby the yield of Sodium Acetate increases. However both the experiments did not produce a 100% yield because of human error and constrains of technical equipment. Even if a catalyst was added, the yield will be the same as the catalyst will only increase the rate of reaction and affect the yield. 6. Conclusion In conclusion, the higher the concentration of Ethyl Acetate used, the faster the rate of reaction together with a higher conversion percentage of Sodium Hydroxide. The concentration of Sodium Hydroxide affects the conductivity values of the reaction because the results show that the conductivity decreases as the reaction proceeds because the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide also decreases as the Sodium Hydroxide was being reacted away. Therefore, the hypothesis is proven to be true. The aim of the experiment was met as results state that with a higher concentration of Ethyl Acetate, the rate of reaction together with the rate of conversion increases. The concentration of the Ethyl Acetate reacting with Sodium Hydroxide in a reactor as time passes by was studied. However the experiment could be improved by adding in a catalyst or increasing the temperature to increase the rate of reaction and conversion rate.

Review of Research Paper on the Interphase of Mitosis -- Biology Eukar

Introduction The eukaryotic cell cycle, mitosis, is a succession of events that occur for the reproduction and growth of these multi-cellular organisms. Characteristic events in mitosis can divide the cell cycle into different stages, or phases. This paper focuses on the interphase of cell cycle, which is when DNA replication occurs, and the cell is engaged in metabolic activities to prepare itself for cell division. The idea that these two processes are related arises much controversy in what their relation is exactly. A few theories propose that the cell cycle dictates DNA replication, whereas others support that DNA replication dictates the cell cycle. However, more research on yeast cells have determined that some unknown mechanisms link these two processes together. The experiment did not find conclusive evidence that either one of the processes controls the action of the other. Metabolism A major concept displayed throughout our scientific paper is the metabolic cycle, more specifically, how yeast goes through metabolism. To better understand the metabolic cycle of yeast, a general overview of metabolism is needed. Metabolism is a blanket term covering all of the chemical reactions that occur in living cells. These processes are the basis of life, allowing cells to grow, reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond outwardly towards their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories; catabolism and anabolism. Anabolism uses energy to build different components of cells such as proteins and nucleic acids. Catabolism, on the other hand, is the process that yields energy, one example of that is the breakdown of food in cellular respiration. Catabolism is the process that is focused on in the pap... ...hesize DNA, as two peaks begin to appear as some cells enter G2 of the cell cycle after going through the S phase, which doubles their DNA. In the reductive charging phase, you see the number of cells in G2 decrease as they enter Mitosis and become part of the G1 population as they half their DNA. Cell Cycle Connection In this experiment they used nutrient-poor conditions, in which the yeast cells acted as one unit. This means that the cells underwent replication simultaneously. Normally under nutrient-rich conditions, the cell cycles are random. By taking away the nutrients, the cells had to organize to utilize the nutrients available to sustain life most efficiently. Technically the cells divide up into two groups, where one is replicating while the other is not. Sources View the Paper Online: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/316/5833/1916/

African Migration Essay

The African origin of early modern humans 200,000–150,000 years ago is now well documented, with archaeological data suggesting that a major migration from tropical east Africa to the Levant took place between 130,000 and 100,000 years ago via the presently hyper-arid Saharan-Arabian desert. The path out of East Africa leads across North Africa, through the Nile corridor, and across the Red Sea, or across the Indian Ocean and the strait of Bab el Mandeb to the Arabian peninsula and beyond to Eurasia. Most of this interconnected landmass of the so-called Old World, the continental area encompassing Africa, Europe, and Asia, received migrants from East Africa by about 1.5 million years ago. This migration was dependent on the occurrence of wetter climate in the region. Whereas there is good evidence that the southern and central Saharan-Arabian desert experienced increased monsoon precipitation during this period, no unequivocal evidence has been found for a corresponding rainfall increase in the northern part of the migration corridor, including the Sinai-Negev land bridge between Africa and Asia. The major feature of world populations through time is their increasing numbers. It is likely that many early human migrations resulted from the pressure of such demographic increases on limited food resources; disease, drought, famine, war, and natural disaster figure among the most important causes of early human migrations. Approximately 100,000 years ago, the first migrations of Homo sapiens out of their African homeland likely coincided with the ability to use spoken language and to control fire. Over the next 87,000 years humans migrated to every continent, encompassing a wide variety of natural environments. The Americas were the last continents to be reached by Homo sapiens, about 13,000 years ago. Why these earliest migrants left Africa to colonize the world is a complex, important question. The answer is likely to be found in a web of interrelated factors centered around human behavior, specifically behavior selected to reduce risk and increase the individuals’ fitness for survival. Calculated migration must have resulted from information sharing, alliance building, memory, and the ability to negotiate— all skills that necessarily accompanied increasingly complex social and cultural groups. The increasing complexity of existence inevitably led hominids out of Africa, resulting in a global distribution of diverse human groups. Increasing population may have prodded the migration of some groups. Armed with the attributes of culture, the distinctive, complex patterns of behavior shared by human groups, humans eventually adapted to and conquered virtually all global environments. Whatever the nature of human origins, whenever or wherever human societies and cultures first appeared, the peopling of our globe has been a product of migration from place to place. Given the small numbers of people and the vast distances they traversed, and considering their technologically limited modes of transportation, the movement of people around the globe seems miraculous. The examples of global colonization described below depended on interactions between people and between people and their environments. Gradually, sometime during the Middle Stone Age (perhaps 100,000 to 200,000 years ago), distinct patterns of interaction among humans and between them and the landscapes in which they lived emerged. Because the distinctive physical and social environments to which humans adapted were themselves constantly changing, cultures too continually changed. That early humans acquired technological and social skills can be inferred from widespread evidence of their material culture—stone tools and utensils, carved figurines, rock and cave art, and the like, dating from about 40,000 years ago—which has been found in most parts of the globe. The development of language unquestionably furthered the social and technological evolution of humans and facilitated systems of reciprocity and social exchange. For example, the division of labor in food production and the exchange and transportation of goods and products were greatly expedited by speech. Being able to assign different tasks to different individuals furthered cooperation and fueled the processes of social and cultural evolution. http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_readings_3.html http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/unit_overview_3.html

A Word on Wordsworth essays

A Word on Wordsworth essays Contrary to what many critics state, Wordsworth does capture the true essence of childhood. While reading Tintern Abbey and Ode: Intimations of Immorality, the reader is instantly aware that the point of view is from an adult who dreams of returning to the age when life had no worries. In the beginning lines of his Ode: Intimations of Immorality Wordsworth paints a picture which carries much similarity to Genesiss Garden of Eden. For example, throughout lines 1-2, Wordsworth talks of a serene setting with a meadow, grove, and stream. Then, he begins to further glorify his setting by mentioning that according to him it appareled in celestial light. In many ways this is childhood. Most children have no worries and their state of mind is not troubled or disturbed in any way, much like Wordsworths setting. Moreover, the way they see the world is not tarnished, as opposed to when they mature and the evils of the world begin to surface. Yet, the most important concept brought upon by Wordsworth is not only the idea of what being a child is or what it should be, but the constant yearning for an adult to return to his/her youth. By showing childhood as the only time when an individual can be truly carefree, Wordsworth creates a want in the reader to again experience life as it was-before maturity began to occur. In both poems, Wordsworth speaks of childhood as only a faint memory, which can never be duplicated in an adult life. For instance, in lines 83 and 84 of Tintern Abbey, Wordsworth writes that childhood is That time is past, and all its aching joys are now no more. Personally, I do not feel that Wordsworth exaggerates any part of what it means to be a child through the eyes of an adult-especially an adult whose life may prove troublesome. Though maturity heightens knowledge, I cannot say I dont miss the ignoran...

World War I Campaigns of 1917

World War I Campaigns of 1917 In November 1916, Allied leaders again met at Chantilly to devise plans for the coming year. In their discussions, they determined to renew the fighting on the 1916 Somme battlefield as well as mount an offensive in Flanders designed to clear the Germans from the Belgian coast. These plans were quickly altered when General Robert Nivelle replaced General Joseph Joffre as commander-in-chief of the French Army. One of the heroes of Verdun, Nivelle was an artillery officer who believed that saturation bombardment coupled with creeping barrages could destroy the enemys defenses creating rupture and allowing Allied troops to break through to the open ground in the German rear. As the shattered landscape of the Somme did not offer suitable ground for these tactics, the Allied plan for 1917 came to resemble that of 1915, with offensives planned for Arras in the north and the Aisne in the south. While the Allies debated strategy, the Germans were planning to change their position. Arriving in the West in August 1916, General Paul von Hindenburg and his chief lieutenant, General Erich Ludendorff, began construction of a new set of entrenchments behind the Somme. Formidable in scale and depth, this new Hindenburg Line reduced the length of the German position in France, freeing ten divisions for service elsewhere. Completed in January 1917, German troops began shifting back to the new line in March. Watching the Germans withdraw, Allied troops followed in their wake and constructed a new set of trenches opposite the Hindenburg Line. Fortunately for Nivelle, this movement did not affect the areas targeted for offensive operations (Map). America Enters the Fray In the wake of the Lusitania sinking in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson had demanded that Germany cease its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Though the Germans had complied with this, Wilson began efforts to bring the combatants to the negotiating table in 1916. Working through his emissary Colonel Edward House, Wilson even offered the Allies American military intervention if they would accept his conditions for a peace conference before the Germans. Despite this, the United States remained decidedly isolationist at the beginning of 1917 and its citizens were not eager to join what was seen as a European war. Two events in January 1917 set in motion a series of events which brought the nation into the conflict. The first of these was the Zimmermann Telegram which was made public in the United States on March 1. Transmitted in January, the telegram was a message from German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann to the government of Mexico seeking a military alliance in event of war with the United States. In return for attacking the United States, Mexico was promised the return of territory lost during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, as well as substantial financial assistance. Intercepted by British naval intelligence and the US State Department, the contents of the message caused widespread outrage among the American people. On December 22, 1916, the Chief of Staff of the Kaiserliche Marine, Admiral Henning von Holtzendorff issued a memorandum calling for the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. Arguing that victory could only be achieved by attacking Britains maritime supply lines, he was quickly supported by von Hindenburg and Ludendorff. In January 1917, they convinced Kaiser Wilhelm II that the approach was worth the risk of a break with the United States and submarine attacks resumed on February 1. The American reaction was swift and more severe than anticipated in Berlin. On February 26, Wilson asked Congress for permission to arm American merchant ships. In mid-March, three American ships were sunk by German submarines. A direct challenge, Wilson went before a special session of Congress on April 2 declaring that the submarine campaign was a war against all nations and asked that war be declared with Germany. This request was granted on April 6 and subsequent declarations of war were issu ed against Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. Mobilizing for War Though the United States had joined the fight, it would be some time before American troops could be fielded in large numbers. Numbering only 108,000 men in April 1917, the US Army began a rapid expansion as volunteers enlisted in large numbers and a selective draft instituted. Despite this, it was decided to immediately dispatch an American Expeditionary Force composed of one division and two Marine brigades to France. Command of the new AEF was given to General John J. Pershing. Possessing the second-largest battle fleet in the world, the American naval contribution was more immediate as US battleships joined the British Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, giving the Allies a decisive and permanent numerical advantage at sea. The U-boat War As the United States mobilized for war, Germany began its U-boat campaign in earnest. In lobbying for unrestricted submarine warfare, Holtzendorff had estimated that sinking 600,000 tons per month for five months would cripple Britain. Rampaging across the Atlantic, his submarines crossed the threshold in April when they sunk 860,334 tons. Desperately seeking to avert disaster, the British Admiralty tried a variety of approaches to stem the losses, including Q ships which were warships disguised as merchantmen. Though initially resisted by the Admiralty, a system of convoys was implemented in late April. The expansion of this system led to reduced losses as the year progressed. While not eliminated, convoys, the expansion of air operations, and mine barriers worked to mitigate the U-boat threat for the remainder of the war. The Battle of Arras On April 9, the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, opened the  offensive at Arras. Beginning a week earlier than Nivelles push to the south, it was hoped that Haigs attack would draw German troops away from the French front. Having conducted extensive planning and preparation, the British troops achieved great success on the first day of the offensive. Most notable was the swift capture of Vimy Ridge by General Julian Byngs Canadian Corps. Though advances were achieved, planned pauses in the attack hampered the exploitation of successful assaults. The next day, German reserves appeared on the battlefield and fighting intensified. By April 23, the battle had devolved into the type of attritional stalemate that had become typical of the Western Front. Under pressure to support Nivelles efforts, Haig pressed the offensive as casualties mounted. Finally, on May 23, the battle was brought to an end. Though Vimy Ridge had been taken, the strateg ic situation had not changed dramatically. The Nivelle Offensive To the south, the Germans faired better against Nivelle. Aware that an offensive was coming due to captured documents and loose French talk, the Germans had shifted additional reserves to the area behind the Chemin des Dames ridge in Aisne. In addition, they employed a system of flexible defense which removed the bulk of the defensive troops from the front lines. Having promised victory within forty-eight hours, Nivelle sent his men forward through rain and sleet on April 16. Pressing up the wooded ridge, his men were not able to keep up with the creeping barrage that was intended to protect them. Meeting increasingly heavy resistance, the advance slowed as heavy casualties were sustained. Advancing no more than 600 yards on the first day, the offensive soon became a bloody disaster (Map). By the end of the fifth day, 130,000 casualties (29,000 dead) had been sustained and Nivelle abandoned the attack having advanced around four miles on a sixteen-mile front. For his failure, he was relieved on April 29 and replaced by  General Philippe Pà ©tain. Discontent in the French Ranks In the wake of the failed Nivelle Offensive, a series of mutinies broke out in the French ranks. Though more along the lines of military strikes than traditional mutinies, the unrest manifested itself when fifty-four French divisions (nearly half the army) refused to the return to the front. In those divisions which were affected, there was no violence between the officers and men, simply unwillingness on the part of the rank and file to maintain the status quo. Demands from the mutineers generally were characterized by requests for more leave, better food, better treatment for their families, and a halt to offensive operations. Though known for his abrupt personality, Pà ©tain recognized the severity of the crisis and took a soft hand. Though unable to openly state that offensive operations would be halted, he implied that this would be the case. In addition, he promised more regular and frequent leave, as well as implementing a defense in depth system which required fewer troops in the front lines. While his officers worked to win back the mens obedience, efforts were made to round up the ringleaders. All told, 3,427 men were court-martialed for their roles in the mutinies with forty-nine executed for their crimes. Much to Pà ©tains fortune, the Germans never detected the crisis and remained quiet along the French front. By August, Pà ©tain felt confident enough to conduct minor offensive operations near Verdun, but much to the mens pleasure, no major French offensive occurred prior to July 1918. The British Carry the Load With French forces effectively incapacitated, the British were forced to bear the responsibility for keeping the pressure on the Germans. In the days after the Chemin des Dames debacle, Haig began seeking a way to relieve pressure on the French. He found his answer in plans that General Sir Herbert Plumer had been developing for capturing Messines Ridge near Ypres. Calling for extensive mining under the ridge, the plan was approved and Plumer opened the  Battle of Messines  on June 7. Following a preliminary bombardment, explosives in the mines were detonated vaporizing part of the German front. Swarming forward, Plumers men took the ridge and rapidly achieved the operations objectives. Repelling German counterattacks, British forces built new defensive lines to hold their gains. Concluding on June 14, Messines was one of the few clear-cut victories achieved by either side on the Western Front (Map). The Third Battle of Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele) With the success at Messines, Haig sought to revive his plan for an offensive through the center of the Ypres salient. Intended to first capture the village of Passchendaele,  the offensive  was to break through the German lines and clear them from the coast. In planning the operation, Haig was opposed Prime Minister David Lloyd George who increasingly wished to husband British resources and await the arrival of large numbers of American troops before launching any major offensives on the Western Front. With the support of Georges principal military advisor, General Sir William Robertson, Haig was finally able to secure approval. Opening the battle on July 31, British troops attempted to secure the Gheluvelt Plateau. Subsequent attacks were mounted against Pilckem Ridge and Langemarck. The battlefield, which was largely reclaimed land, soon degenerated into a vast sea of mud as seasonal rains moved through the area. Though the advance was slow, new bite and hold tactics allowed the British to gain ground. These called for short advances supported by massive amounts of artillery. Employment of these tactics secured objectives such as the Menin Road, Polygon Wood, and Broodseinde. Pressing on despite heavy losses and criticism from London, Haig secured Passchendaele on November 6. Fighting subsided four days later (Map). The Third Battle of Ypres became a symbol of the conflicts grinding, attritional warfare and many have debated the need for the offensive. In the fighting, the British had made a maximum effort, sustained over 240,000 casualties, and failed to breach the German defenses. While these losses coul d not be replaced, the Germans had forces in the East to make good their losses. The Battle of Cambrai With the fighting for Passchendaele devolving into a bloody stalemate, Haig approved a plan presented by General Sir Julian Byng for a  combined attack against Cambrai  by the Third Army and the Tank Corps. A new weapon, tanks have not previously been massed in large numbers for an assault. Utilizing a new artillery scheme, Third Army achieved surprise over the Germans on November 20 and made quick gains. Though achieving their initial objectives, Byngs men had difficulty exploiting the success as reinforcements had trouble reaching the front. By the next day, German reserves began arriving and fighting intensified. British troops fought a bitter battle to take control of Bourlon Ridge and by November 28 began digging in to defend their gains. Two days later, German troops, utilizing stormtrooper infiltration tactics, launched a massive counterattack. While the British fought hard to defend the ridge in the north, the Germans made gains in the south. When the fighting ended on De cember 6, the battle had become a draw with each side gaining and losing about the same amount of territory. The fighting at Cambrai effectively brought operations on the Western Front to a close for the winter (Map). In Italy To the south in Italy, the forces of General Luigi Cadorna continued attacks in the Isonzo Valley. Fought in May-June 1917, the Tenth Battle of the Isonzo and gained little ground. Not to be dissuaded, he opened the Eleventh Battle on August 19. Focusing on the Bainsizza Plateau, Italian forces made some gains but could not dislodge the Austro-Hungarian defenders. Suffering 160,000 casualties, the battle badly depleted Austrian forces on the Italian front (Map). Seeking help, Emperor Karl sought reinforcements from Germany. These were forthcoming and soon a total of thirty-five divisions opposed Cadorna. Through years of fighting, the Italians had taken much of the valley, but the Austrians still held two bridgeheads across the river. Utilizing these crossings, German General Otto von Below attacked on October 24, with his troops employing stormtrooper tactics and poison gas. Known as the  Battle of Caporetto, von Belows forces broke into the rear of the Italian Second Army and cau sed Cadornas entire position to collapse. Forced into headlong retreat, the Italians attempted to make a stand at the Tagliamento River but were forced back when the Germans bridged it on November 2. Continuing the retreat, the Italians finally halted behind the Piave River. In achieving his victory, von Below advanced eighty miles and had taken 275,000 prisoners. Revolution in Russia The beginning of 1917 saw troops in the Russian ranks expressing many of the same complaints offered by the French later that year. In the rear, the Russian economy had reached a full war footing, but the boom that resulted brought about rapid inflation and led to the break down of the economy and infrastructure. As food supplies in Petrograd dwindled, unrest increased leading to mass demonstrations and a revolt by the Tsars Guards. At his headquarters in Mogilev, Tsar Nicholas II was initially unconcerned by events in the capital. Beginning on March 8, the February Revolution (Russia still used the Julian calendar) saw the rise of a Provisional Government in Petrograd. Ultimately convinced to abdicate, he stepped down on March 15 and nominated his brother Grand Duke Michael to succeed him. This offer was refused and the Provisional Government took power. Willing to continue the war, this government, in conjunction with the local Soviets, soon appointed Alexander Kerensky Minister of War. Naming General Aleksei Brusilov Chief of Staff, Kerensky worked to restore the spirit of the army. On June 18, the Kerensky Offensive began with Russian troops striking the Austrians with the goal of reaching Lemberg. For the first two days, the Russians advanced before the lead units, believing they had done their part, halted. Reserve units refused to move forward to take their place and mass desertions began (Map). As the Provisional Government faltered at the front, it came under attack from the rear from returning extremists such as Vladimir Lenin. Aided by the Germans, Lenin had arrived back in Russia on April 3. Lenin immediately began speaking at Bolshevik meetings and preaching a program of non-cooperation with the Provisional Government, nationalization, and an end to the war. As the Russian army began to melt away at the front, the Germans took advantage and conducted offensive operations in the north which culminated in the capture of Riga. Becoming prime minister in July, Kerensky sacked Brusilov and replaced him with anti-German General Lavr Kornilov. On August 25, Kornilov ordered troops to occupy Petrograd and disperse the Soviet. Calling for military reforms, including the abolition of Soldiers Soviets and political regiments, Kornilov grew in popularity with Russian moderates. Ultimately maneuvered into attempting a coup, he was removed after its failure. With Kornilovs defeat, Kerensky and the Provisional Government effectively lost their power as Lenin and the Bolsheviks were in the ascent. On November 7, the October Revolution began which saw the Bolsheviks seize power. Taking control, Lenin formed a new government and immediately called for a three-month armistice. Peace in the East Initially wary of dealing with the revolutionaries, the Germans and Austrians finally agreed to meet with Lenins representatives in December. Opening peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk, the Germans demanded independence for Poland and Lithuania, while the Bolsheviks wished for peace without annexations or indemnities. Though in a weak position, the Bolsheviks continued to stall. Frustrated, the Germans announced in February that they would suspend the armistice unless their terms were accepted and take as much of Russia as they desired. On February 18, German forces began advancing. Meeting no resistance, they seized much of the Baltic countries, Ukraine, and Belarus. Panic-struck, Bolshevik leaders ordered their delegation to accept Germanys terms immediately. While the  Treaty of Brest-Litovsk  took Russia out of the war, it cost the nation 290,000 square miles of territory, as well as a quarter of its population and industrial resources.

Initial research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Initial research proposal - Essay Example in general, as a result of this; it has been defined in a perplexing number (different ways in reference to their location in the world) (Watson and Evertt 1996; Boon and Theng 1996). Market Segmentation, Brand Positioning and Targeting; these are the foundation on which the concept of SBE is based i.e. the brand’s ability to identify, create and maintain a niche market. Frost and Strauss theory is best to evaluate this as it incorporates and illustrates SBE objectives in relation to all the products under that range, and looks at all needs that aims at satisfying the individual or organization (Smith, 1995). Consumerism and Branding style and how these are linked to Self Identity and then examine how SBE incorporates this into its marketing strategy in order to appeal to its target market (Armstrong & Kotler 2003). Marketing Communication channels used by SBE in order to influence consumer decision-making with reference to the Consumer Decision-making Model, Theories on Diffusion processes, and other Buyer Behavior Theories. (Smith et al 2002) In the world’s economy, Small Business Enterprises (SBE’s) have a major impact. They contribute a lot towards the economy in facilitating employment growth and development. In reference to (Mulhern 2005), small and medium sized businesses cover around 99% of all Europeans companies. The same sector offered over 66% of the overall employment in the region. The fact that this business steer the economy is supported by analysis done in underdeveloped countries, the number of the small sectors is far much less than that of the developed countries (PORTER, 2001). As the economy continues to plummet, SBE have had to adapt in order to survive the harsh economic times as competition for the already limited target market is fiercer and as such some SBE are turning to technology and the internet to attract, extend the market target and keep their customers. (Alex Blyth 2010) KOKKINAKI, F. and AMBLER, T. (1999),

Critically evaluate how international retailers can achieve Assignment

Critically evaluate how international retailers can achieve competitive advantage through customer service - Assignment Example Customer service offers competitive advantages of improved customer satisfaction, increased customer loyalty, improved brand image, and increased sales and profitability. The 7P elements are also important in enhancing competitor advantage. The 7Ps are: price, product, place, promotion, people, process, and physical environment (Kotler, 2011). In the analysis of Tesco’s F&F brand, the most important element of the 7P is People. People are the main drivers of customer service at F&F. They communicate with customers in order to enhance effective customer service. They also respond effectively to the requests and complaints of customers. Tesco recruits highly qualified employees with good customer relations skills. The leading online retailer in UK is Amazon while the worst retailer is Ryanair (Integrated Retailer, 2014). In overall, there has been a fall in online customer satisfaction in UK, falling from 74 to 73 on a 100-point scale (Integrated Retailer, 2014). Amazon, the best online retailer has a score of 84 while Ryanair, the worst performer had 60 points; all in terms of customer satisfaction. Amazon targets buyers of various retail products while Ryanair targets airline companies. Amazon has segmented its customers geographically and in terms of affluence. On the other hand, Ryanair does not seem to have a good segmentation because it targets all airlines without identifying any segment. These examples show how customer satisfaction through customer service is an essential element in achieving competitive advantage. Customer service, social responsibility, and sustainability are closely related concepts that retail companies should consider in order to improve their customer satisfaction. Customer service entails serving customers through delivery of goods, listening to their complaints, helping them with their problems, and understanding them. Generally, customer service