Bellevue College CHEM& 121

Experiment: Measurements
I. INTRODUCTION
Measurements are essential to experimental sciences such as chemistry, physics,
biology, and geology. The measurements are usually made using the metric system
units. This experiment is intended to give practice in making measurements to the
greatest precision possible using metric units. The precision of a measurement is
limited by the calibration of the measurement tool. A balance that gives readings to only
the nearest 0.001 gram cannot be used to give masses to 0.00001 gram.

Materials and Equipment

Balance, metric rulers, meter stick, thermometer, thermometer clamp,
sodium chloride (table salt), ice, 150 mL beaker, 400 mL beaker,
125 mL Erlenmeyer flask, 250 mL beaker, 10 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL graduated cylinders,
solid unknown.

II PROCEDURE

Mass

 Your instructor will give directions on how to use the balance. Some general
rules to follow when using the balances are:

 The "tare" button will zero the balance.

 Always use a container or weighing paper for weighing chemicals. Do

not place chemicals directly on the balance pan.

 Clean up any materials on or near the balance.

 If a balance seems to be out of order, please tell your instructor. DO NOT

attempt to make adjustments on the balance.

1. In order to gain practice with the balance measure the mass of one of the weights in
the weight sets. (Choose any size weight you like)

2. Weigh a coin to the nearest 0.01 gram. Record your answer on the data page.

3. Weigh an empty 150 mL beaker to the nearest 0.01 grams. Record your
measurement.

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Bellevue College CHEM& 121

Volume measurements

There are 10 mL, 25 mL, and 100 mL graduated cylinders available. Use the size most
appropriate for the measurements.

1. Fill a test tube to the brim with water. Measure the volume of water.

2. Fill a 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask to the brim with water. Measure the
volume of water to the nearest 1 mL.

Temperature

 Temperature measurements are made using mercury thermometers,

thermocouples, gas filled thermometers, alcohol thermometers, etc. We will a
digital thermometer.

 Measurement errors can result from the way the thermometer is located in a
liquid. We can minimize some sources of error if we observe the following
practices:

 Position the thermometer probe away from the walls of the container. Be sure
the liquid is thoroughly mixed.

 Allow the thermometer to be in contact with the liquid for enough time so that the
thermometer reaches equilibrium with the liquid.

 Temperatures should be measured to the precision allowed by the thermometer.

If the thermometer scale reads to ±1.0 °C, only readings to the nearest degree
are possible.

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Cold tap water

1. Half fill a 400 mL beaker with cold tap water.

2. Place the thermometer bulb in the water.
3. Allow the thermometer to reach thermal equilibrium
4. Keep the thermometer in the middle of the liquid away from the glass.
5. Read and record the temperature of the tap water.

Boiling water

1. Half fill a 250 mL beaker with tap water.

2. Add one or two boiling chips to the water, using the
arrangement shown in the figure.
3. Heat the water to boiling.
4. Read and record the temperature being sure to
keep the thermometer bulb away from the bottom of
the beaker.

Ice water

1. Place a hand-full of crushed ice in a 250 mL

beaker.
2. Add approximately 50 to 60 mL of cold tap water.
3. Add more ice if necessary so that there is ice mixed
with the water.
4. Without stirring place the thermometer in the water. Wait for thermal equilibrium,
then read and record the temperature. Repeat this measurement with stirring.

Ice water plus salt

1. Weigh out approximately 4 to 6 grams of sodium chloride, NaCl.

2. Add the salt to the ice-water mixture.
3. Stir for few minutes and add more ice if necessary.
4. Read and record the temperature of the mixture.

Distance/length Measurements

1. Measure the external height of a 400 mL beaker in both centimeters and inches.
2. Measure the length of a test tube in both centimeters and inches.

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Density Determination

The density of a substance is an intensive physical property. It can be used to help

identify a material. The formula for calculating density is:

D= Mass in grams
Volume in milliliters

Density of water

1. Weigh a clean dry 10 mL graduated cylinder to the nearest 0.01 gram. Record the
weight.
2. Add tap water to the graduated cylinder bringing the water level to the 10 mL mark.
Record the volume of water.
3. Weigh the graduated cylinder and water.
4. Calculate the density from the mass of water (obtained from the difference in mass
of the empty and full graduated cylinder) and the measured volume.

Density of a solid object

1. Obtain a solid object. Record the vial number. (The unknown vial and the inside of
the vial must be dry before you begin the experiment. If it is not, pour the metal onto a
paper towel and allow it to dry. Use a paper towel to dry the inside of the vial.)

2. Weigh the solid object and the vial on the balance. Record mass.

3. Add enough tap water to a 100 mL graduated

cylinder to bring the water level to the 50 mL
mark. Record the volume of water.

4. Carefully place the unknown solid object (all of

it!) into the graduated cylinder. The
water level will rise.

5. Read and record the new position of the water

level.

6. Weigh the empty vial and subtract to find the

mass of the unknown solid.

7. Calculate the density of the solid object.

8. Dry the unknown solid and the vial as described in step one.

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Bellevue College CHEM& 121

Experiment - Measurements
Report Sheet Name ____________________________

Lab Partner _________________________

Mass measurement

1. Mass of the ___ gram weight from the weight sets _______grams

2. Mass of the coin______(identify) _______grams

3. Mass of a 150 mL beaker _______grams

Volume measurements

1. Test tube _________mL

2. 125 mL flask _________mL

Temperature

1. Cold tap water __________oC

2. Boiling water __________oC

3. Ice water
without stirring __________oC
with stirring __________oC

4. Ice water and salt __________oC

Distance/Length Measurements

1. Height of 400 mL beaker ___________cm __________in

2. Length of test tube ___________cm __________in

Density determination for water

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1. Weight of empty 10 mL graduated cylinder ________grams

2. Weight of 10 mL graduated cylinder plus water ________grams

3. Weight of water ________grams

4. Volume of water _________mL

5. Density calculation ________g/mL

Show your calculations:

Density determination of solid object

Vial number ______________

1. Mass of unknown solid and vial ___________grams

2. Mass of empty vial ___________grams

3. Mass of solid object ___________grams

4. Initial volume of water in 100 mL cylinder ___________mL

5. Volume of water and solid object ___________mL

6. Volume of solid object ___________mL

7. Density of solid object ___________g/mL

Show your calculations:

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Bellevue College CHEM& 121

Prelab Name ____________________________Section______

Measurements

Complete the following questions BEFORE class. Refer to your textbook.

1. Write the full names of each of the following units:

a. mL _______________________
b. mg _______________________
c. km _______________________
d. C _______________________

2. Write abbreviation for each of the following units:

a. Liter ______
b. micrometer ______
c. kilogram ______
d. milligram ______

3. Complete the following blanks:

a. 1L = ______ dL b. 1m = ______ cm
c. 1km = ______ m d. 1mL = ______ L
e. 1mg = ______ g f. 1cm3 = ______ mL

4. If an unknown metal weighs 12.35 g and occupies a volume of 4.57 mL, what is the density of
this metal?