GROUP NO______ SCORE_______

LEADER______________________________ SECTION_________
EXPERIMENT 1
MEASUREMENTS
Chemistry is an experimental science. Laboratory observations in chemistry often involve
making measurements and using these measurements in calculations. Measurements that are
frequently utilized in the study of chemistry include the measurement of mass, volume, density
and temperature.

Any measurement consists of three parts: a number that tells the amount of the
quantity measured, a unit that tells the nature of the quantity being measured, and some degree
of uncertainty or error. The error in a measurement is the difference between the true value of
the quantity measured and the measured value. The smaller the error, the more accurate is the
result. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement comes to the true or accepted value.
Accuracy of an experimental result is often expressed in terms of percentage error.

In this experiment, you will measure the mass of a solid and its dimensions, the mass of
a liquid and its volume, and use these to determine their densities. You will then determine the
accuracy of your results by computing for the percentage error.

OBJECTIVES

1. To acquire skills in measuring length, mass and volume and use these to
calculate density

2. To use significant digits in making measurements and in calculations

3. To use different methods in determining the density of solids and liquids

APPARATUS

platform balance, electronic balance/analytical balance, 10-mL graduated cylinder,

50mL graduated cylinder, 250-mL beaker, ruler

MATERIALS

5 differently sized metal blocks, distilled water

SAFETY PRECAUTION
 Always wear your lab gown and protective goggles. Exercise care and caution in
manipulating laboratory equipment and in handling your glass wares. Avoid accidents in the lab
by always thinking of your own safety and the safety of your classmates.

PROCEDURE

Part I A. MEASUREMENT OF MASS AND DIMENSIONS OF A SOLID

Using a platform balance, do the following:

1. Check if both pans are clean and dry.

2. Place all the riders at the extreme left or at zero. Touch one of the pans lightly to start
the beam swinging. The pointer should move equal distance to the right and left of
the zero line on the reference scale or comes to rest at zero line. If that is not the
case the zero adjustment screw may be turned until the pointer moves as many
spaces to the left as to the right. The balance is now in equilibrium and is ready for
use.
3. Weigh a block of metal by placing it on the left pan of the platform balance. Slide the
large rider on the lower beam slowly to the right, one notch at a time, until the right
pan drops. Slide the large rider backward by one notch to make the right pan rise.
4. Gently slide the small rider on the upper beam to the right until pointer rests at zero
line.
5. Record the mass of the metal on your data sheet to the nearest 0.01 g by adding the
readings indicated on the lower and upper beams.
6. Measure the length, width and thickness of the metal block in centimeters with the
use of a ruler. Calculate its volume in cubic centimeters. Record your data.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 to 4 more other metal blocks. Use metal blocks of different sizes.
 Metal Mass, g Length, cm Width, cm Height, cm Volume,
block cm3

1 15.3 3.1 1.9 1.0 5.9 cm3

2 58.2 4.2 3.3 1.5 20.8 cm3

3 11.5 5.9 1.5 0.5 4.4 cm3

4 42.8 2.2 2.1 3.2 14.8 cm3

5 13.8 1.9 1.5 2.3 6.6 cm3

Show one sample computations for volume: (l x w x h) 3.1x1.9x1.0 __

Density metal (accepted value/ true value) = 2.7 g/cm3

Figure 1.1: mass (y axis) vs volume (x axis)
Slope of the line

Density of the metal

Accepted density of the metal 2.7 g/ cm3

 Percent error :

Show your computations here:

Slope:

Density of the metal: Density = Mass/ Volume

Mass of metal block = 15.3 g

Initial volume of water in the cylinder 20.0 mL

Final volume of water in the cylinder 29.0 mL

Volume of metal by water displacement

Density of metal by water displacement

Accepted density of the metal

 Percent error

Solution:

Vol of metal block =

Density of metal block (exptal) =

Percent error =

Mass of empty 250-mL beaker: 70.92 g

Volume of distilled water Mass of beaker + distilled Mass of distilled water
(mL) water (g)

10 80.82

20 89.52

30 100.62

40 110.72

50 122.12

Density/slope of distilled water from the graph

Table 1.3: Volume and Mass of Distilled water

CLEANING UP

Clean the pans of the balances used with a tissue paper. Make sure that chemicals accidentally
spilled in your working table are thoroughly wiped off.

Return the vegetable oil to your lab instructor and wash all used glass wares with soap and
water to be ready for use for the next experiment.

VIDEO URLS.
https://youtu.be/NBgQa5okVKc ( GRAPHICAL METHOD OF SLOPE DETMN) VIDEO 1

https://youtu.be/-FLmJ9UTQWU ( SCALING OF GRAPH)

https://youtu.be/V4gSu1iCtT8( FINDING VOLUME WATER DISPLACEMENT)