Laboratory Report Experiment 3

Title: Apparatus and Measurements in The Laboratory

Objectives:

1. Students should be able to determine the correct apparatus to be used for transferring
samples e.g.: solids and liquids.

2. Students should be able to apply the concept of accuracy and precision in measurement.

3. Students should be able to operate the electronic balance and record data with the correct
figures.

4. Students should also be able to use volumetric apparatus correctly; e.g.: pipette and
graduated cylinder.

Methods:

Activity 1: Mass

1. The mass of 20 pieces of coins was measured using triple beam balance.

2. The average and the relative deviation has been calculated.

3. The triple beam balance was replaced with analytical balance. Step 1 was repeated.

4. For each measured quantity, the number of decimal points that gives reliable data was
indicated. The result obtained using the triple beam balance and analytical balance was
compared. How do they differ?
Activity 2: Volume

1. The mass of a dry 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask A and B was determined using the analytical
balance.

2. 25.0 mL of distilled water was measured using the measuring cylinder and transferred into
the Erlenmeyer flask A. The mass of the Erlenmeyer flask A and water was weighed. Using the
density of water from Table 3.1 at the measured temperature, the mass of water in the
Erlenmeyer flask A was calculated.

3. 25.0 mL of distilled water using the pipette was measured and transferred it into the
Erlenmeyer flask B. The mass of the Erlenmeyer flask B and water was weighed. Using the
density of water from Table 3.1 at the measured temperature, the mass of water in the
Erlenmeyer flask B was calculated.

4. The calculated mass of water that has been transferred by the measuring cylinder and pipette
was compared. The relative error was calculated.

5. The average value and relative deviation was calculated.

6. The temperature and the corresponding density of water was found and calculated from the
following table.

Results:

Activity 1: Mass

Triple Beam Balance

Reading

I II III

(1) Mass of 20 pieces coins 34.8 g 35.0 g 35.1 g

(2) Average value of (1) 35.0 g

 (3) Relative deviation of (1)

Data ( 1 ) −Data(2) I -0.571 I 0.000 0.286

x 100
Data(2)
0.571

(4) Average of relative deviation

0.286

Analytical Balance

Reading

I II III

(1) Mass of 20 pieces coins 34.9225 g 34.8725 g 34.9115

(2) Average value of (1) 34.9022 g

(3) Relative deviation of (1)

Data ( 1 ) −Data(2) 0.0581625 I -0.0850949 I 0.0266459

x 100
Data(2)
0.0850949

(4) Average of relative deviation

0.0566344

Activity 2: Volume
Graduated cylinder

Reading

I II III

(1) Mass of Erlenmeyer 133.4805 g 133.5615 g 133.3005 g

flask A

(2) Mass of Erlenmeyer 157.9229 g 158.0226 g 157.7526 g

flask A and water

(3) Mass of water (2) – (1) 24.4424 g 24.4611 g 24.4521 g

(4) Average value of (3)

24.4519

(5) Calculated mass of

water
24.9375 g

(6) Relative error of (3)

Data ( 3 )−Data(5) I - 1.98536 I I - 1.91038 I I - 1.94647 I

x 100
Data(5)
1.98536 1.91038 1.946467

(7) Average of relative error

1.94740

(8) Relative deviation of (3)

Data ( 3 )−Data(4) I - 0.0388518 I 0.0376249 -4

8.17932 × 10
x 100
Data(4 )
0.0388518

(9) Average of relative

deviation
0.0257649
Pipette

Reading

I II III

(1) Mass of Erlenmeyer 133.6523 g 133.6023 g 133.6130 g

flask B

(2) Mass of Erlenmeyer 158.5723 g 158.5233 g 158.5235 g

flask B and water

(3) Mass of water (2) – (1) 24.9200 g 24.9210 g 24.9105 g

(4) Average value of (3)

24.9172 g

(5) Calculated mass of

water
24. 9425 g

(6) Relative error of (3)

Data ( 3 )−Data(5) I -0.0902075 I I - 0.0861983 I I - 0.128295 I

x 100
Data(5)
0.0902075 0.0861983 0.128295

(7) Average of relative error

0.101567

(8) Relative deviation of (3) I - 0.0268891 I

Data ( 3 )−Data(4) 0.0112372 0.0152506 0.0268891

x 100
Data(4 )
(9) Average of relative
deviation
0.0177923
Discussion:

1. Based on your results in Activity 1, which instrument is more precise? Explain your
answer.

Precision is how close a series of measurements of the same thing are to each other and it
can be obtained by calculating the average relative deviation. The value of average relative
deviation calculated for the mass of coin using analytical balance which is 0.0566344 and
it’s much smaller than value calculated by using triple beam balance which is 0.286. Hence,
the smaller the average relative deviation the more precise the measurement is. Therefore,
analytical balance is more precise in taking measurement compared to triple beam balance.

2. Based on your results in Activity 2, which instrument is more precise and accurate?
Explain your answer.

Precision is how close a series of measurements of the same thing are to each other. The
average value of relative deviation for pipette is 0.0177923 and for graduated cylinder is
0.0257649. Therefore, the smaller the value of average standard deviation that has been
calculated, the more precise the measurement taken. Hence it can be concluded that pipette
is more precise than graduated cylinder. Accuracy refers to the degree of how close the
measurements taken to its true value. The average relative error calculated when using
graduated cylinder is 1.94740 whereas the average relative error for pipette is 0.101567. The
average relative error for pipette is much smaller than graduated cylinder. Hence, the
smaller the average relative error, the more accurate the measurements taken. It can be
concluded that the pipette is more accurate than graduated cylinder.

3. Explain why precision and accuracy are important in chemistry measurement.

Precision and accuracy is important in chemistry because in order to get the most reliable
results during an experiment it is important to minimize bias and error. This is important
because bad equipment, poor data processing or human error can lead to inaccurate results
that are not very close to the true value of the data that is being taken. Measurements that are
 imprecise do not properly identify random errors and can yield a widespread result.

4. Suggest ways to enhance precision and accuracy in conducting chemistry

experiments.

Ways to enhance precision and accuracy in conducting chemistry experiments is by paying

close attention to detail, using equipment properly and increasing your sample size.
Ensure that your equipment is properly calibrated, functioning, clean and ready to use.
Take multiple measurements and calculate the average value to get more accurate and
precise results.

Conclusions:

In conclusion the students were able to determine the correct apparatus to be used for
transferring samples e.g.: solids and liquids. For example, students were able to identify that
analytical balance is the suitable equipment to take measurements of a solid while for liquids we
use pipette. The students were also able to apply the concept of accuracy and precision in
measurement. Where, students were able to conclude that the smaller the average relative
deviation, the more precise the measurements taken. The smaller the average relative error
calculated, the more accurate the measurements taken. Students were also able to operate the
electronic balance such as the analytical balance and record data with the correct figures.
Students were also able to use volumetric apparatus correctly such as pipette and graduated
cylinder.

References:

1. Dolca Friese. (1st May, 2021). Is pipette more accurate than measuring cylinder?
https://everythingwhat.com/is-pipette-more-accurate-than-measuring-cylinder

2. Greg Hershman. ( Jan 17, 2020 ).Why is precision in measurement important?

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-precision-in-measurement-important

3. Javaid Verdeja. (27th February, 2020). Is a graduated cylinder or pipette more accurate?

https://askinglot.com/is-a-graduated-cylinder-or-pipette-more-accurate

30/11/2021

DATE LECTURER’S SIGNATURE/STAMP