CHE 111

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Measurements in the Chemistry Laboratory

Overview Measurements, and the uncertainty inherent in them, are fundamental to experimental science. In this lab you will investigate the precision of several types of volumetric glassware used frequently in the chemistry laboratory. The principles you apply in this lab will be used repeatedly throughout the semester, so you may want to keep this lab and use it as a reference for future experiments. 1. Introduction to Measurements in the Chemistry Lab A. Mass B. Volume C. Temperature D. Notes on Recording Measurements E. A Very Brief Note on Significant Figures 2. Experimental Section 1. Introduction to Measurements in the Chemistry Lab A. Mass Accurate determination of mass is a fundamental technique for experimental chemistry, as mass is a direct indication of the amount of matter present. The mass of a sample is a measure of the number of atoms/molecules in the substance, so accurate measurement of mass is the key to knowing proportions of chemicals required for reactions. In the GCC chemistry lab, you will be using a top (or side)-loading balance that can measure up to 200.000 g to the nearest milligram. If more than 200 g is placed on the balance, it will damage the balance! Here are some things to keep in mind when measuring mass: The balance should read 0.000 g before weighing. If necessary, hit re/zero to reset. Moisture will damage the balance, so keep liquids off the balance pan. Weigh chemicals into a weigh boat or glassware, never directly on the balance. Clean up any spills you make immediately. Objects placed on the balance should be at room temperature. If a warm object is put onto the balance pan, the air around the balance will warm up, and the resulting air movement will lower the mass reading (why?). Typically, you will determine the mass of a chemical by difference. This means that you will first weigh your empty container, then add the chemical to the container and reweigh it. The mass of the empty container is then subtracted from the container + chemical to obtain the mass of the chemical. Using the same balance throughout an experiment will ensure that your data is as consistent as possible.

B. Volume Volumetric measurements are essential in the chemistry lab. Many of the reactions commonly carried out in the General Chemistry lab occur in solution, and volume measurements are 1
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used to determine the amount of matter participating in a reaction. The glassware you will be evaluating in this experimentbeaker, graduated cylinder, buret, pipet, and volumetric flaskare all commonly used to measure liquid volumes in chemical laboratories. In this lab, and throughout the semester you will be using this type of glassware to measure milliliters (mL) of liquids. The graduations etched or printed onto glassware vary widely in accuracy, depending on the type and application of glassware. The markings on beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks, for example, are only an indication of an approximate volume of liquid in the container. Burets, pipets, graduated cylinders, and volumetric flasks are much more accurate. You will use graduated cylinders most often in this class. The accuracy of a graduated cylinder is a function of its size, as smaller capacity cylinders that hold smaller volumes are marked in smaller increments than larger capacity ones. Please read the handout (linked here, also posted on Moodle) on measuring volumes in a graduated cylinder before coming to lab. C. Temperature The thermometers that you will be using in the chemistry lab measure the temperature in degrees Celcius (C), and are marked in 1.0C increments. They do not contain mercury (toxic!) but are relatively expensive and should be handled with care. D. Recording Measurements A measurement is a physical quantity, which means that it has a magnitude (how much) AND a unit (of what). All of your measurement data in the lab should have unitsalways! When you make a measurement, the data should be recorded directly onto your data sheet or in your notebook. II. A Very Brief Note on Significant Figures The number of significant figures in a measurement is equal to the number of digits that are known with certainty plus the last digit, which is the estimated or uncertain place. As the sensitivity of the equipment used to make a measurement increases, the number of significant figures increases, and thus the precision of the measurement is greater. For a volume measurement, the certain places will be those that are marked on the glassware. The uncertain place is one place beyond that which is marked on the glassware. The Volume Measurements supplement explains in detail how to determine increments, certain and uncertain figures, and make measurements using these with a graduated cylinder. When measuring mass on the digital balance, however you should record all the places that are given in the digital readout, including trailing zeros. Do not attempt to estimate a final, uncertain placethat work has already been done for you by the balance. Procedure The procedures for each part of this lab are given in that section; your data should be recorded directly on this paper. Be sure that all the measurements (volume, mass, temperature) you make in this lab are recorded to the correct number of significant figures, and that you include a unit with each measurement. Show your calculations, with units, in the spaces provided in each section. Complete pages 3-8 in lab and turn them in next week. Besides the data collected, you should show your calculations neatly in the space provided, with units, for all parts of the lab. Your responses to the post lab questions should be attached to your report.

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Part 1. Beaker Weigh a clean, dry 50. mL beaker. Be sure to record all the digits that appear on the balance, as they are all significant. Measure 10 mL of water with the beakerthis is your Experimental Volume, and the measurement should be recorded in the space provided to the correct number of significant figures. Weigh the beaker with the water in it, and record that mass to correct number of significant figures. Determine the mass of water in the beaker by the difference method. Measure the temperature of the water in the beaker, and use the density table provided to determine the density of water. Data/Results:
Mass of Beaker: Experimental Volume: Mass of Beaker + Water: Mass of Water: Theoretical Volume Temperature of Water: Density of Water: % Error in Volume:

Calculations:
a. Calculate the volume of water in the beaker using the density formula, and record that value in the space provided above as the Theoretical Volume.

b. Calculate the percent error in the volume using Eqn. 1 below. % Error = x (100%) {Eqn. 1}

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Part 2. 100 mL Graduated Cylinder Weigh a clean, dry 100 mL graduated cylinder. Be sure to record all the digits that appear on the balance, as they are all significant. Measure 10 mL of water with the graduated cylinderthis is your Experimental Volume. This measurement should be recorded in the space provided to the correct number of significant figures. Weigh the cylinder with the water in it, and record that mass to correct number of significant figures. Determine the mass of water in the cylinder by the difference method. Measure the temperature of the water in the beaker, and use the density table provided to determine the density of water. Data/Results:
Mass of Beaker: Mass of Beaker + Water: Mass of Water: Temperature of Water: Density of Water: % Error in Volume: Theoretical Volume Experimental Volume:

Calculations: Calculate the theoretical volume and the % error for the volume for the graduated cylinder as you did for a and b in Part 1. Show your work in the space below.

Part 3. 10 mL Graduated Cylinder Weigh a clean, dry 10 mL grad cylinder. Be sure to record all the digits that appear on the balance, as they are all significant. Measure 10 mL of water with the graduated cylinderthis is your Experimental Volume. This measurement should be recorded in the space provided to the correct number of significant figures. Weigh the cylinder with the water in it, and record that mass to correct number of significant figures. Determine the mass of water in the cylinder by the difference method. 4
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Measure the temperature of the water in the beaker, and use the density table provided to determine the density of water. 10 mL Cylinder Data/Results:
Mass of Beaker: Mass of Beaker + Water: Experimental Volume: Mass of Water: Temperature of Water: Density of Water: % Error in Volume: Theoretical Volume

Calculations: Calculate the theoretical volume and the % error for the volume for the graduated cylinder as you did for a and b in Part 1. Show your work in the space below.

Part 4. Pipet Weigh a clean, dry 50 mL beaker. Be sure to record all the digits that appear on the balance, as they are all significant. You need to measure 10 mL of water with the pipet, which means youll have to draw up and dispense water twice with the pipet. Your instructor will demonstrate the use of the pipet pump. Each partner should take a turn doing this to get a feel for using the pipet. The sum of the two portions of water (Volume 1 + Volume 2) is your Experimental Volume, and this should be recorded in the space provided to the correct number of significant figures. Weigh the beaker with the water in it, and record that mass to correct number of significant figures. Determine the mass of water in the beaker by the difference method. Measure the temperature of the water in the beaker, and use the density table provided to calculate the density of water. 5
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CHE 111 Pipet Data/Results:

Mass of Beaker: Experimental Volume: Mass of Beaker + Water: Volume 1 Theoretical Volume Volume 2 Mass of Water: Temperature of Water: Density of Water: % Error in Volume:

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Calculations: Calculate the theoretical volume and the % error for the volume for the pipet as you did in the previous sections, and show your work in the space below.

Part 4. Buret Before performing the measurement with the buret, rinse it a few times with the water that youll be using. Fill the buret to at least the 20.00 mL mark. Notice that the scale on the buret is marked to the tenth of a milliliter, and that it reads from top to bottom, with 0.00 mL at the top, and a mark for 50.00 mL at the bottom of the buret. When using burets, be sure to record the initial volume (before you dispense any liquid), and record the final volume after you have finished dispensing liquid. The Experimental Volume in this case will be the difference between the initial and the final volume readings you made. Weigh a clean, dry 50 mL beaker. Be sure to record all the digits that appear on the balance, as they are all significant. Record the initial volume and then dispense 10 mL with the buret. Record the 6
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final volume to the correct number of significant figures, and weigh the beaker with the water in it. Determine the mass of water in the beaker by the difference method. Measure the temperature of the water in the beaker, and use the density table provided to determine the density of water. Buret Data/Results:
Mass of Beaker: Mass of Beaker + Water: Experimental Volume: Initial Volume Final Volume Theoretical Volume Mass of Water: Temperature of Water: % Error in Volume: Density of Water:

Calculations:

Part 5. Volumetric Flask Weigh a clean, dry 10.00 mL volumetric flask with the stopper. Be sure to record all the digits that appear on the balance, as they are all significant. Add water to the mark (meniscus) on the volumetric flask, and record the volume to the correct number of significant figures. Stopper the flask and weigh it with the water in it. Determine the mass of water in the flask by the difference method. Measure the temperature of the water in the flask by pouring it into the beaker, and use the density table provided to determine the density of water. 7
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CHE 111 Volumetric Flask Data/Results:

Mass of Beaker: Experimental Volume: Mass of Beaker + Water: Mass of Water: Temperature of Water: Density of Water: % Error in Volume: Theoretical Volume

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Calculations:

Post Lab Questions 1. Make a table with columns for Theoretical Volume, Experimental Volume, and Percent Error determined with each piece of glassware, as well one for the Relative Accuracy of each determination. Using the percent error as measure of the accuracy of each method, create a number scale and rank your results from most to least accurate and enter these values in the Relative Accuracy column. Be sure to explain your ranking scale! Your table should be neat and organized with appropriate column headings, row labels, and units, all values should be in significant figures, and your ranking scale should also be clearly expressed. A spreadsheet or Word formatted table would be good, but is not required. Your responses to the questions below should be typed. 2. Once you have completed the table, look at your data and note any trends. Were you surprised by your accuracy ranking for the glassware, or is the trend what you expected? What are possible sources of error for this lab? Which one(s) do you think may have affected your results? Please explain your thoughts clearly, and in complete sentences. 3. Which type of glassware would you use to measure 9.6 mL of water? Explain your choice. 4. Which type of glassware would you use to measure approximately 25 mL? Explain your choice. 5. Which type of glassware would you use to 35.60 mL of a solution? Explain your choice. 8
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