EXPERIMENT 1

NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENT

OBJECTIVES

• To use a serological pipette, burette and analytical balance properly

• To measure the mass and volume of different samples and calculate derivative information
• To apply statistical tools to verify accuracy and precision of data
• To analyze the sources of error in performing an experiment

INTRODUCTION

Measurement is an integral part of Chemistry because it is the quantitative expression of the

physical property of matter. It Is derived from the Greek word “metron” which means limited proportion
and the widely used system of measurement is called “Metric System”. Metric system uses units such as
meter (m) for length, gram (g) for mass, liter (L) for volume, Celcius ( OC)/ Kelvin (K) for temperature and
second (s) for time.
In Analytical Chemistry, measuring accurately and measuring precisely the mass and volume of
samples are the essential skills of each student should exhibit. Using burette and serological pipette
correctly is also important in this course. Performing correct calculations derived from measurements and
reporting measured numbers in correct manner are also important in all experiments. Although perfection
is the aim in every experiment, some errors are inevitable, however, sources of error should be identified
after every experiment so that in the succeeding experiments, error/s can be avoided or eliminated.
Measuring accurately means using tools to quantify the physical property of matter and the
value obtained should be very close to the known, true value or standard value. Thus, the farther the
measurement is to the expected value, the less accurate it is. Accuracy can be determined even in a single
measurement and can be evaluated through percent error calculations.

% Error = I True Value – Experimental Value I X 100

True Value

Precision in measurements, on the other hand, is the expression of how close are the measured
values to each other, thus, it can only be determined through several measurements. Several trials are
needed to determine the precision of the measurements or the reliability and the reproducibility of the
experiment. To determine statistically the precision of the measurements, standard deviation is
computed after the experiment. Standard deviation is as follows:

 (x − x )
2

s= where: x = sample data

n −1 x = mean
n = number of samples
s = standard deviation
MATERIALS AND REAGENTS

ethanol acetone
dichloromethane ruler
CuSO4 analytical balance
table salt pre-weighed vials with standard mass
water thermometer
watch glass masking tape
buret tetra pack
100 mL beaker droppers
10 mL graduated cylinder 10 mL serological pipette
100 mL graduated cylinder

PROCEDURE

A. Measuring the Mass

Accuracy
1. Using the balance, measure the pre-weighed vials assigned to each group.
2. Record the results. Repeat for three trials. Compute the mean and standard deviation.
3. Ask the instructor about the true weight of the sample vial.
4. Compute the percentage error.
Precision
1. Weigh a clean and dry watch glass. Record the weight.
2. Get 1 teaspoon of CuSO4 and place it on the watch glass, then weigh. Record the weight.
3. Remove the sand from the watch glass; clean and dry the watch glass.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for three trials.
5. Compute the standard deviation.

B. Measuring the Volume

Accuracy
1. Using a ruler, measure the inner dimensions (length, width and height) of an empty tetra
pack (with the top side cut open).
2. Compute the volume of the tetra pack using the measured dimensions.
3. Fill up the tetra pack with water.
4. Measure the volume of the water used to fill the tetra pack by transferring the water
carefully into a 100 mL graduated cylinder. If the water fills up to the 100 mL mark, discard
it to continue measuring the remaining water in the tetra pack.
5. Repeat step 4 for three trials.
6. Compute the percentage error based on labeled volume.

Precision
 1. Fill up the burette with water up to the 0 ml mark.
2. Run down water from the burette into a 100-mL graduated cylinder, filling it up to the 20-
mL mark of the graduated cylinder.
3. Take note of the final volume reading on the burette.
4. Compare the volume readings.
5. Repeat for 3 trials and compute the standard deviation.

C. Derived Measurement: Density (ρ)

Density of Water
1. Measure the mass of a clean dry 100-mL beaker.
2. Fill it up with 50 mL water and weigh.
3. Determine the density of water using the formula: ρ = m/v
4. Compute the percentage error based on the theoretical density of water.

Density of Liquid Samples

1. Measure the mass of a clean, dry 100 mL beaker.
2. Collect 10 mL of ethanol using a serological pipette
3. Transfer the ethanol into the beaker measure the mass of the ethanol.
5. Compute the density of the sample.
6. Compare the computed density with that of the theoretical density of ethanol.
7. Repeat steps 1–6 using acetone and dichloromethane (DCM)

D. Calibration and Conversion

1. Use a Pasteur pipette to fill up a 10-mL graduated cylinder up to the 5-mL mark.
2. Note the number of drops whenever the water level (lower meniscus) reaches each mL
mark.
3. Get the average number of drops necessary to reach each mL mark.
4. Label the dropper as to how many drops are equivalent to 1 mL.

Clean Up
• Clean and return all apparatus used.
• The CuSO4 used for mass can be returned to their bottles if maintained clean and dry.
• Put the used tetra pack into the trash can.
• The water can be poured into the sink.

REFERENCES:
[1]
SKOOG, D.A., WEST, D.M., HOLLER, F.J., and CROUCH, S.R. (2014). Fundamentals of analytical chemistry. 9th ed.
International Edition. Belmon, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
EXPERIMENT 1 Pre-lab
NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENT
Group number Section Score

Seat number Name Date

1. Research on the limitation of accuracy of the following instruments:

a. analytical balance

b. top-loading balance

c. serological pipette

d. graduated cylinder

e. burette

f. volumetric flask

g. Erlenmeyer flask

h. beaker

2. Define the term, “measurement uncertainty”. Among the instruments listed above, which ones
have the highest uncertainty? Which ones have the lowest?

3. Based on the measurement uncertainty of the above instruments, which instruments would yield
the lowest percent error?
EXPERIMENT 1 Data sheet
NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENT

Group number Section Score

Seat number Name Date

B. Measuring the Mass

Accuracy

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Experimental weight
Average (Mean)
Standard deviation
Standard weight
Percentage Error

Precision

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of the watch glass
Mass of sand and watch glass
Mass of the sand
Average (Mean)
Standard deviation

B. Measuring the Volume

Accuracy

Length of the tetra pack (cm)

Width of the tetra pack (cm)
Height of the tetra pack (cm)
 Volume based on dimension
(L x W x H)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Volume of water contained

Volume labeled on tetra pack

Percentage error vs. volume
calculated (LxWxH)
Percentage error vs. volume
collected (H2O measurement)

Precision

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Volume reading on the
20 mL 20 mL 20 mL
graduated cylinder
Volume reading on the
burette
Average volume (burette)

Volume difference*

Standard deviation

*difference in reading on graduated cylinder and on burette

C. Derived Measurement: Density (ρ)

Density of Water

Mass of the beaker

Mass of water and beaker

Mass of the water

Volume of water in the beaker 50 mL

Experimental density of water

Theoretical density of water 1.00 g/ml

 Percentage error

Density of Liquid Samples

ethanol acetone dicholoromethane

Mass of beaker

Mass of beaker + sample

Mass of sample

Experimental density

Theoretical density

Percentage error

D. Calibration and Conversion

1st ml 2nd ml 3rd ml 4th ml 5th ml

mark mark mark mark mark
Number of drops
used to reach 1-
mL mark
Average number
of drops drops
Conversion Factor: 1 mL = ________ drops

How many drops of water will you dispense from the calibrated dropper if the procedure
requires 7 ml of water?
EXPERIMENT 1 Post-lab
NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENT
Group number Section Score

Seat number Name Date

1. Can a set of data be accurate but not precise? Explain.

2. During your experiment, what were the possible sources of error present that caused inaccuracy of
your data? What are the steps necessary to minimize these sources of error?

3. A reaction takes place and you expect to yield 250.5 g of product. However, after the experiment, you
have weighed out 253.2 g of product. What is the percent error for this experiment? What are possible
reasons for this?