Activity No.
5
MEASUREMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Our knowledge of chemistry and chemical processes largely depends on our
ability to obtain correct information about matter. Often this information is
quantitative and is obtained by making use of measuring devices. All measuring
devices, however, are subject to error, making it impossible to obtain exact
measurements. Uncertainty can be reduced by making use of instruments or
measuring tools of finer graduation. Uncertainty also arises from the measurement
process itself indicating that no scientific measurement can be completely accurate.
To truly reflect the uncertainty of measured value as well as derived quantities
from calculations, they have to be reported with the proper number of significant
figures. Significant figures include all digits that are significant (certain) plus one
estimated (uncertain) digit. The measuring device you choose determines the number
of significant figures you can obtain. Consider Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 below.
The graduated cylinder markings are every 1-mL. When
read from the lowest point of the meniscus, the correct
reading is 30.0 mL. The first 2 digits (30.) are values
that we are sure of while the last digit (.0) is uncertain.
Even though it is zero, it is significant and must be
recorded. 35
Thus volume using this particular graduated
Fig. 2. Part of a
cylinder must be reported with 1 decimal place or 1
graduated cylinder.
digit after the decimal point.
Two terms that are often used to describe the reliability of measurements are
precision and accuracy. Accuracy refers to how closely a measured value is to the “true”
or “accepted” value and is expressed in terms of error. On the other hand, precision
refers to how closely a group of measurement values are to one another. Precision
reflects the reproducibility of measurements.
In this and future laboratory classes, you are expected to report measured
values with the appropriate number of significant figures and to keep track of
significant figures during calculations.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the experiment, the student should be able to:
1. Use common laboratory measurement devices for determining length,
volume, mass, and temperature;
2. Determine the density of pure water;
3. Determine the density of aluminum (applying the technique of water
displacement) and use this value to determine the thickness of a piece of
aluminum foil;
4. Report measured and calculated values with the proper number of
significant figures; and
5. Differentiate between accuracy and precision.
CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS
Chemicals Materials
aluminum pellets (or its equivalent) test tube crucible tong
aluminum foil graduated cylinder (50 mL)
beaker (50 mL and 250mL)
analytical balance
top loading balance
thermometer
ruler
wash bottle
PROCEDURE
A. Volume Measurement using Two Different Tools
1. Fill a small test tube with water.
2. Carefully transfer the water from the test tube to a 50 mL graduated
cylinder.
3. Fill again the test tube with water but this time transfer the water to a
50 mL beaker.
4. Record the volume of water on both graduated cylinder and beaker. Report
volumes with the proper units and correct number of significant figures.
Between graduated cylinder and beaker, which gives a more accurate volume
reading? Explain.
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B. Determination of the Density of Water
1. Using top loading balance, determine the mass of your dry 50 mL graduated
cylinder. Record the mass with the proper number of significant figures.
2. Add 10 mL distilled water to the graduated cylinder. Record the volume
reading with the proper number of significant figures. Measure the
combined mass (water with graduated cylinder) using the same top loading
balance.
3. Add 10 mL more of distilled water to the graduated cylinder. Again,
precisely read and record the volume of water, and then measure the
combine mass using the graduated cylinder.
4. Repeat Step 3 to obtain a third set of mass and volume measurements.
5. Then using a thermometer, measure the temperature of the water in your
graduated cylinder.
6. Subtract the mass of the empty cylinder from each combined mass to obtain
three mass measurements of water.
7. Use the three sets of mass and their corresponding volume measurements
to calculate three density values of water. Calculate the average of the three
density values and compare to the true or accepted density at the
temperature used.
8. Evaluate the accuracy of your average density value by calculating the %
error.
% error = │accepted value – calculated value│ x 100
accepted value
C. Determination of the Density of Aluminum and the Thickness of Foil
i) The Density of Aluminum (an Irregular Shaped Solid)
1. Using the analytical balance, obtain the mass of a clean, dry small beaker.
2. Obtain a sample of aluminium from your instructor. Transfer all the
aluminium pellets to the beaker, and measure the mass of the beaker and
pellets.
3. Pour 20 mL of water into your 50 mL graduated cylinder. Record the volume
with the proper number of significant figures.
4. Carefully add all the aluminium pellets to the water, maybe done by tilting
the cylinder, to make sure no water lost due to splashing. Also make sure
that the pellets are all completely immersed in the water. Record the new
volume of the water plus the pellets. This is known as the Water
Displacement Method (see Fig. 3) used to determine volume of irregularly
shaped solid.
5. When finished, retrieve and dry the aluminium pellets and return them to
your instructor.
6. Use the measured mass and volume (obtained via water displacement) of
aluminium to calculate its density.
7. Look up the true density of aluminium and evaluate the accuracy by
calculating the percent error.
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Fig. 3. Water Displacement Method.
ii) The Thickness of Aluminum Foil (a Regular Shaped Solid)
8. Obtain a rectangular piece of aluminium foil. Using a ruler, measure the
length and width (in centimeter) of the piece of foil.
9. Determine the mass of the foil using the analytical balance.
10. Use the above measurements along with the true density of aluminum to
calculate the thickness of the foil.
Density = mass mass
=
volume length x width x thickness
D. Determination of the Identity of an Unknown Solid
1. Given a solid unknown, determine its density.
2. Identify what material it is.
References
1. https://www.lacitycollege.edu/Academic-Departments/Chemistry-Earth-
Sciences/documents/Welcome2laboratory.pdf
2. http://www.smc.edu/projects/28/chemistry_10_experiments/ch10_density.pdf
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