01.07 Accuracy and Precision: Virtual Lab—Measurement (Text Version)

Measurement

Measurement is an important skill used for data collection and data analysis. Careful attention to the accuracy and degree of uncertainty of each measuring device is necessary for proper data collection. Significant figures are used to record or report measurements accurately.

This laboratory activity will give you the opportunity to get more familiar with some of the basic measuring devices that are common in chemistry labs. You will use the measurements performed in this lab to calculate density.

Part I: Density of an Unknown Liquid

Trial 1:

Measure the mass of an empty graduated cylinder on the triple beam balance. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the graduated cylinder is between the second and third mark after 25 grams. Record the mass of the graduated cylinder in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.
Measure the volume of liquid that has been added to the same graduated cylinder. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are 0.1 mL, or 10 markings between each one milliliter marking. The top of the liquid in the cylinder is between the fourth and fifth mark after eight mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number if significant figures.
Now measure the mass of the graduated cylinder that now contains the liquid. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the cylinder containing the liquid is between the first and second mark after 36 grams. Record the mass of the graduated cylinder with liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.

Trial 2:

Measure the mass of another empty graduated cylinder on the triple beam balance. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the graduated cylinder is between the third and fourth mark after 25 grams. Record the mass of the graduated cylinder in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.
Measure the volume of liquid that has been added to the same graduated cylinder. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are 0.1 mL, or 10 markings between each one milliliter marking. The top of the liquid in the cylinder is at the sixth mark after eight mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number if significant figures.
Now measure the mass of the graduated cylinder now containing the liquid. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the cylinder containing the liquid is between the second and third mark after 36 grams. Record the mass of the graduated cylinder with liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.

Trial 3:

Measure the mass of another empty graduated cylinder on the triple beam balance. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the graduated cylinder is between the first and second mark after 25 grams. Record the mass of the graduated cylinder in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.
Measure the volume of liquid that has been added to the same graduated cylinder. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are 0.1 mL, or 10 markings between each one milliliter marking. The top of the liquid in the cylinder is between the second and third mark after eight mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number if significant figures.
Now measure the mass of the graduated cylinder containing the liquid. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the cylinder containing the liquid is on the first mark after 36 grams. Record the mass of the graduated cylinder with liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.

Part II: Density of an Irregular-Shaped Solid

Trial 1:

Measuring the mass of a solid on a digital balance gives a reading of 42.305 g. Record this mass on your data table.
Measure the volume of liquid that has been added to a graduated cylinder. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are one mL markings, or 10 markings between each ten milliliter marking. The top of the liquid in the cylinder is between the eighth and ninth mark after 40 mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number if significant figures.
Place the irregular-shaped solid into the graduated cylinder and measure the resulting volume (of the liquid and solid together). The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are one mL markings, or 10 markings between each ten milliliter marking. The top of the liquid is between the third and fourth mark after 50 mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.

Trial 2:

Measuring the mass of another solid on a digital balance gives a reading of 40.628 g. Record this mass on your data table.
Measure the volume of liquid that has been added to a graduated cylinder. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are one mL markings, or 10 markings between each ten milliliter marking. The top of the liquid in the cylinder is at the second mark after 50 mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number if significant figures.
Place the irregular-shaped solid into the graduated cylinder and measure the resulting volume. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are one mL markings, or 10 markings between each ten milliliter marking. The top of the liquid is at the seventh mark after 50 mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.

Trial 3:

Measuring the mass of another solid on a digital balance gives a reading of 38.729 g. Record this mass on your data table.
Measure the volume of liquid that has been added to a graduated cylinder. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are one mL markings, or 10 markings between each ten milliliter marking. The top of the liquid in the cylinder is at the ninth mark after 40 mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number if significant figures.
Place the irregular-shaped solid into the graduated cylinder and measure the resulting volume. The smallest markings on the graduated cylinder are one mL markings, or 10 markings between each ten milliliter marking. The top of the liquid is halfway between the third and fourth mark after 50 mL. Record the volume of the liquid in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.

Part III: Density of a Regular-Shaped Solid

Trial One:

Measure the mass of a block on the triple beam balance. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the block is at seven marks past 27 grams. Record the mass of the block in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.
Now, use a ruler to measure the length, width, and height of the same block. The smallest marking on the ruler are 0.1 cm markings, or 10 markings from one centimeter to the next.

The length is halfway between the second and third mark after five cm.
The width is exactly at the three cm mark.
The height is exactly at the fifth mark after two cm.
Record each measurement in your data table with the proper number of significant figures.

Trial Two:

Measure the mass of another block on the triple beam balance. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the block is between the fifth and sixth mark past 25 grams. Record the mass of the block in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.
Now, use a ruler to measure the length, width, and height of the same block. The smallest marking on the ruler are 0.1 cm markings, or 10 markings from one centimeter to the next.

The length is exactly at the five cm mark.
The width is exactly at the four cm mark.
The height is exactly at the three cm mark.
Record each measurement in your data table with the proper number of significant figures.

Trial Three:

Measure the mass of another block on the triple beam balance. The smallest marking on the balance are 0.1 g markings, or 10 markings between each one gram. The mass of the block is at the sixth mark past 25 grams. Record the mass of the block in your data table, being careful to use the correct number of significant figures.
Now, use a ruler to measure the length, width, and height of the same block. The smallest marking on the ruler are 0.1 cm markings, or 10 markings from one centimeter to the next.

The length is exactly at the fifth mark past four cm.
The width is between the fifth and sixth mark past three cm.
The height is exactly at the two cm mark.
Record each measurement in your data table with the proper number of significant figures.

Once you have collected all of the measurements in your data table, you can complete the rest of the lab worksheet and submit it to your instructor. Be careful to follow all of the sig fig rules in the data table and calculations.

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