Chapter 1: Measurement and Experimental Techniques

The International System of Units (S.I units) is a system of different units used to
measure quantities of different items.
2.1

Measuring Time

In the measurement of time, a stopwatch or stopclock can be used.

The S.I. unit for time is the second (s).

Even though the units for time can be minutes (mins) or hours (h), the S.I. unit is
preferred in most calculations processes.

Usually, for GCE O Level Chemistry experiments, time is measured to the nearest
seconds.
2.2

Measuring Temperature

The temperature of a chemical is measured with a thermometer.

Commonly used laboratory thermometer: mercury-in-glass type or alcohol-in-glass

type.

In such thermometers, the liquid inside the glass expands with the rising temperature
resulting in an increase in the length of the mercury or alcohol thread.

The mercury-in-glass type of thermometer measures temperature from -10 OC to 110

O

C.

Temperature can also be measured with an electronic temperature sensor connected

to a data logger. This method of measuring temperature is more accurate as
compared to the conventional types of thermometers.

The S.I. unit for temperature is Kelvin (K). However, the other unit, degree Celsius
(OC) is more commonly used.
Temperature in Kelvin = Temperature in degree Celsius + 273.15
2.3

Measuring Mass

The mass of a substance is the measure of the amount of matter contained in it.

In the Chemistry laboratory, the mass of a substance is measured with a beam

balance or an electronic mass balance.

The S.I. unit for mass is the kilogram (kg).

Sometimes, minute masses of substances need to be measured. In such cases, an

electronic balance with an accuracy of up to 0.01 g (2 decimal places) is used.
Procedure of Measuring the Mass of a Substance

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An empty container for the substance is first placed on the balance pan.

The balance is then zeroed by pressing the tare button.

The container is then removed from the pan.

The substance is then placed into the container. After which, the container
with the substance is returned to the pan.

The mass of the substance is then read off the balance display.
2.4

Measuring Volume

Chemistry experiments often involve the use of liquid chemicals.

There are many different types of apparatus that are used in the measurements of
liquids. Each has a different degree of accuracy.

The methods in which the volumes of liquids can be measured is dependent on the
following:

The volume being measured

How accurate the measurement needs to be

The approximate volume of 100 or 250 cm3 is often measured roughly with a marked
beaker.

A more accurate volume of 10 cm3, 50 cm3, 100 cm3, etc, can be obtained with a
measuring cylinder, though this is only accurate (at best) to the nearest cm3.

A burette has a long scale, usually ranging from 0 cm3 to 50 cm3. The level of the
liquid is read off the scale.
A burette measures more accurately as compared to a measuring cylinder because
its accuracy is corrected to the nearest 0.1 cm3. Each division on the burette
measures 0.1 cm3 of the liquid.
Burettes are more commonly used in titrations or volumetric analysis.

Precise volumes of liquids can be measured with a bulb pipette. It measures out an
accurate set of volume, such as exactly 20.0 cm3, 25.0 cm3 or 50.0 cm3. It cannot
measure an odd volume such as 26.0 cm3.
To Measure Volumes of Liquids Using a Bulb Pipette
o

The liquid is drawn up the pipette to a marking using a pipette filler.

After which, the liquid is then delivered into a container for use.

Reading the Volume of a Liquid

o

When a solution is placed into a container, it forms a curvature on the surface

of the liquid. This curvature is known as a meniscus.

A meniscus can be concave or convex.

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Align your eyes to the same level as the liquid. If the meniscus is concave,
read off the scale at the bottom of the meniscus.

Place eye at this level

and read the bottom of
the meniscus
o

If the meniscus is convex, read off the scale at the top of the meniscus.

Place eye at this level

and read the top of the
meniscus
n

The S.I. unit for volume is cubic metre (m3). Other units of measurement such as
cubic centimeter (cm3), litre (l) and the millilitre (ml) are also used.
= 1 cubic decimeter (dm3)

1 litre (l)

= 1000 cubic centimeter (cm3)

= 1000 millilitre (ml)
1 cubic metre (m3) = 1000 litres (l)
2.5
n

Collecting Gases and Measuring Volume of Gases

Sometimes in the course of chemical reactions, gases may have to be collected for
use in other stages of the experiment.
Methods Used for Collecting Gases
o
o

Solubility of the gas in water how soluble the gas is in water

Density of the gas how dense the gas is as compared to air

Solubility and Density of Gas

Gas

Solubility in Water

Density compared to Air

Ammonia

Extremely soluble

Less dense

Carbon dioxide

Slightly soluble

Denser

Chlorine

Soluble

Denser

Hydrogen

Not soluble

Less dense

Hydrogen chloride

Very soluble

Denser

Oxygen

Very slightly soluble

Slightly denser

Sulphur dioxide

Very soluble

Denser

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Methods of Collecting Gases

Collecting a Dry Sample of Gas

o

Drying a gas in an experiment involves passing the gas through a drying agent.

Common drying agents

: concentrated sulphuric acid, quicklime

(calcium oxide), fused calcium chloride

Drying Using Quicklime

Drying Using Fused Calcium

Chloride

Drying Using Concentrated Sulphuric Acid

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Measuring the Volume of a Gas

n

The volume of gas produced in a chemical reaction is measured with a gas syringe.

The gas syringe measures up to 100 cm3 of gas on a graduated scale. It can be used
to monitor the volume of gas produced over a period of time.

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