University Chemistry ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (6): 457-466.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202504002

• Self Studies • Previous Articles    

Applications of diverse data processing software in physical chemistry experiments: a case study on determining acetic acid’s equilibrium constant via conductivity method

Liangting Chen, Jianxun Fan, Jinhong Gao, Tianxin Zhang   

  1. College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Weinan Normal University, Weinan 714099, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Received:2025-04-01 Accepted:2025-07-21 Published:2026-06-18
  • Contact: Liangting Chen E-mail:ltchen@wnu.edu.cn

Abstract: Physical chemistry experiments typically generate substantial datasets, where manual processing may introduce human errors—an issue effectively addressed by employing data processing software. Currently, multiple software options exist, each offering distinct advantages. This study examines the applications of various computational data processing tools (Excel, Origin, SPSS, MATLAB, and Python) in physical chemistry experiments, with a focus on processing data from the determination of the equilibrium ionization constant of acetic acid as a representative weak electrolyte. The functional characteristics of each software package are systematically compared, particularly regarding their capabilities in data recording, organization, analysis, curve fitting, and visualization. The results demonstrate that for experiments with moderate data volumes, Origin exhibits superior comprehensive performance in both data processing and graphical representation compared to other software, making it particularly suitable for most research tasks.

Key words: Data processing software, Physical chemistry experiments, Excel, Origin, SPSS, MATLAB, Python