Experiment No.

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BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

I. OBJECTIVE:

1. To learn the use of common, simple laboratory equipment.

2. To become familiar with the metric system of measurement.
3. To be able to convert units from metric to english system and vice versa.

II. DISCUSSION:

Chemistry is an experimental science. It depends upon careful observation and the use of
good laboratory techniques. In this experiment you will become familiar with some basic
operations that will help you throughout this course. Your success as well as your safety in future
experiments will depend upon your mastering these fundamental operations.
Because every measurement made in the laboratory is really an approximation, it is
important that the numbers you record reflect the accuracy and precision of the device you use to
make the measurement.
In 1960, an international agreement was reached specifying the particular choice of the
Metric System of units. In this system, the basic units for length, mass and the time are the meter,
kilogram and second. This system of units is also known as the International System of units or
commonly referred to as the SI system and is preferred in scientific work.

III. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS:

Ice, distilled water thermometer

Triple beam balance Bunsen burner
150mL and 250 mL beaker ruler/meter stick
50mL and 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask 10 mL pipet
50 or 100 mL graduated cylinder aspirator
Large test tube ring stand/iron stand
Iron clamp iron ring

IV. PROCEDURE:

A. The meter stick/ruler

1. Examine the meter stick/ruler and observe that one side is ruled in inches, whereas the
other is ruled in centimeters.
2. Measure and record the length and width of your laboratory manual in both units.
3. Mathematically convert the two measurements to show that they are equivalent.

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 B. The graduated cylinder

1. Examine the graduated cylinder that is calibrated in milliliters.

2. Fill the cylinder approximately half-full with water. Notice that the meniscus (curve
surface of the water) is concave. The lowest point on the curve is always read to record
the volume, never the upper level. Avoid errors due to parallax effects; different and
erroneous readings are obtained if the eye is not on level with the scale. Read the volume
of the water to the nearest 0.1 mL. record at least three trials.
3. Measure the maximum amount of water that your largest test tube will hold. Record this
volume. Make at least three trials.

C. The thermometer and its calibration

This part of the experiment is performed to check the accuracy of your thermometer. The
exercise will show how measured temperature (read from thermometer) compare with the true
temperature ( the boiling and freezing point water). The freezing point of water is 0 ° C; the boiling
point depends upon atmospheric pressure and is calculated as shown below:

1. Place approximately 50mL of ice in a 250mL beaker and cover the ice with distilled
water.
2. Allow 15 minutes for the mixture to come to equilibrium and then measure and record
the temperature of the mixture.
3. Fill another beaker about half full with distilled water.
4. Place the beaker on a wire gauze and iron ring and begin heating the water. Periodically,
determine the temperature of the water with thermometer but be careful not to touch the
walls of the beaker with thermometer bulb.
5. Record the boiling point of water. Using the formula below, determine the true boiling
point at the observed atmospheric pressure. Obtain the atmospheric pressure from your
laboratory instructor.

Formula:

a) Boiling point correction = (760 mm Hg – atmospheric pressure) x (0.037 °C/mm)

b) True boiling point = boiling point of water – boiling point correction

D. The Laboratory Balance

Weighing an object on a single-pan balance is a simple matter. Considering the inherent

sensitivity and the cost of the balance you must be careful in its use. Directions for operation of a
single-pan balance vary with makers and model.

1. Weigh the water whose volume you measured in part B. First, pour the water into a
previously weighed beaker and record the weight of the water and beaker. Then subtract
the weight of the beaker to obtain the weight of the water alone.
2. Place a five-peso coin and record its weight.

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V. DATA AND RESULTS; CONCLUSION:

Experiment No. 1

BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

Data Sheet

Name: _____________________________________ Group No.: ___________________

Section: ____________________________________ Date:________________________

A. The Meter Stick/Ruler

Length of lab manual ________ in _________ cm ________ mm ________ m

Width of lab manual ________ in _________ cm ________ mm ________ m
Area of lab manual ________ in2 _________ cm2 ________ mm2 ________ m2

Show by using an equation (including units) that the above measurements are equivalent.

Calculations:

B. The Graduated Cylinder

Volume of water in graduated cylinder ________ mL ________ L

Volume of water contained in large test tube ________ mL ________ L

Calculations:

C. The Thermometer and Its Calibration

Temperature of water and ice mixture __________ ° C

Temperature of boiling water __________ ° C

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 Atmospheric pressure _________ mm Hg
True (corrected) temperature of boiling water _________ ° C

Calculations:

D. The Laboratory Balance

Mass of beaker and water ________ g ________ mg

Mass of beaker ________ g ________ mg
Mass of water ________ g ________ mg
Mass of a five peso coin ________ g ________ mg

Calculations:

Observation:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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QUESTIONS:
1. What is precision in measurement?
2. Why is it necessary to calibrate a thermometer and a volumetric glassware?
3. A 121 mg sample was placed on a watch glass and together they weigh 8.203 g.
What is the weight of the watch glass in grams? Weight of the sample in grams?
4. Briefly discussed how you may find the volume of an irregular shaped sample.
5. What are the common measurements done in the course of experimentation?