INTRODUCTION

Chemistry is an experimental science and it involves the use of common

glassware. It depends upon careful observation and the use of good laboratory
technique. Error on the other hand may either be systematic or random. A
systematic error may be occur when an apparatus is not calibrated is used
meanwhile random error is an error in measurement caused by factors that vary
from one measurement to another.

OBJECTIVES
 To learn the qualitative and quantitative aspects of laboratory
equipment.
 To expose students to the actors that affect the accuracy of an
experiment.

APPARATUS
Analytical balance, burette, pipette (20 mL or 25 mL), volumetric flask (25 mL),
conical flask, beaker (50 mL), and thermometer.

CHEMICAL
Distilled water.

PROCEDURE
1) Calibration of volumetric flask

a) A 25 mL volumetric flask was cleaned, dried and accurately weighed

using an analytical balance. The weight was recorded.
b) The volumetric flask was filled with distilled water and weighed again
(the same balance was used). The weight was recorded.
c) The temperature of the distilled water was recorded.
d) The actual volume of volumetric flask was determined from table 1.1.
2) Calibration of pipette

a) A 50 mL beaker was cleaned, dried and accurately weighed using an

analytical balance. The weight was recorded.
b) A (20 or 25 mL) pipette was cleaned and rinsed with distilled water.
c) The pipette was filled with distilled water using the procedures that
had been discussed in the introduction part.
d) The distilled water was drained into the beaker and weighed again.
The weight was recorded.
e) Steps 1-4 was repeated more than one time and the temperature of
the distilled water was recorded.
f) The actual volume of pipette was determined from Table 1.1.

3) Calibration of burette

a) A 50 mL beaker was cleaned, dried and accurately weighed using an

analytical balance. The weight is recorded.
b) A burette is cleaned and rinsed using distilled water and the burette
was filled with water until the zero mark. (The bubbles were made
sure not to be in the tip of the burette.)
c) 5 mL of water was drained from the burette into the beaker and
weighed as soon as possible. The weight was recorded.
d) Steps (c) were repeated by draining water from the burette until the
following burette reading became 10 mL, 15mL and 20 mL. (Each
time 5 mL distilled water was added from the burette). The weight
was recorded (water + beaker) every time after adding 5 mL of
water.
e) The actual volume for every addition of 5 mL of distilled water was
determined from Table 1.1.
 Table 1.2: Calibration of Volumetric flask
Determination of the actual volume of the volumetric flask based on calculations.
Mass of volumetric flask (g) 28.65
Mass of volumetric flask + water (g) 52.23
mass of water (g) 23.58
Water temperature (C) 26.00
Density of 1 g of water (from table 1.1) (g/mL) 1.0042

Table 1.3: Calibration of Pipette

Determination of the actual volume of the pipette based on calculations for trial
(i) and (ii)
(i) (ii)
Mass of beaker (g) 37.42 37.56
Mass of beaker + water (g) 86.11 86.15
Mass of water (g) 48.87 48.59
Water temperature (C) 26.00 26.00
Density of 1 g of water (from Table 1.1) (g/mL) 1.0042 1.0042

Table 1.4: Calibration of Burette

Mass of beaker: 33.27 g
Determination of the mass of water for each 5mL burette reading.
Reading of Mass of beaker + Mass of water (g) Mass of water for
burette (mL) water (g) each 5 mL burette
reading (g)
5 38.20 4.93 4.93
10 43.21 9.94 9.94
15 48.23 14.96 14.96
20 53.15 19.88 19.88
 Table 1.5: After the Addition of Water
Determination of the actual volume of water for each 5 mL burette reading.
Reading of burette (mL) Volume of water (mL)
0-5 4.91
5 - 10 9.90
10 - 15 14.90
15 - 20 19.80

CALCULATIONS:
Density = Mass
Volume
Volume = Mass x Density
Reading of burette (mL) Volume of water (mL)
0-5 4.93 x 1.0042
=4.91
5-10 9.94 x 1.0042
=9.90
10-15 14.96 x 1.0042
=14.90
15-20 19.88 x 1.0042
=19.80

QUESTIONS:
1. How do you overcome or reduce the problem of random error and
systematic error while doing an experiment?

To overcome or reduce the problem of random error, the eye of the

observer must be perpendicular to the scale reading of the instrument
while for systematic error, the measurements are repeated and the
average value is taken.
 2. In what situation do you use a volumetric flask, conical flask, pipette and
graduated cylinder? Explain your answer from the accuracy of these
apparatus.

Volumetric flask is used to make solutions of known concentration by the

dissolution of a known mass or the dilution of a more concentrated
solution.

Conical flask is used to allow the contents of the flask to be mixed by

swirling, without risk of spillage, making them suitable for titrations. They
are not normally suitable for accurate volumetric measurements.

Pipette has two types, transfer pipette and Mohr pipette. Transfer pipette
is calibrated to deliver only one volume whereas a Mohr pipette can deliver
any volume usually to the nearest tenth of a millimeter up to maximum
volume.

Graduated cylinder is used to measure the volume of liquids. It is used to

accurately measure the volume of chemicals for use in reactions.

3. Explain how to read a burette. What are the factors to be considered when
using a burette?

A burette is read from the top. The initial volume is recorded

DISCUSSION
In this experiment, the proper handling of the apparatus was learned so that in
future experiments will be conducted with ease and professionally.
The weakness in the experiment was because of the human error. The error was
occurred due to mistakes by the observer using incorrect positioning of the eye.
The weakness was overcome by positioning the eye perpendicular to the reading
of the scale of the instrument.
CONCLUSION
The objective of this experiment was achieved when the qualitative and
quantitative aspects of common equipment is learned. The apparatus were used
in good technique as the result is obtained accurately. By this experiment, the
factors that affect the accuracy of the experiment was exposed. Average reading
was calculated to obtain the accurate reading for this experiment.