ESCI 115B – CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS (LABORATORY)

LABORATORY REPORT

Name: Jeslyn B. Monte Offering No.: R031

Lab Schedule: Wednesday 7:00 – 10:00 Date Submitted: 09/21/2021

Exercise No. 2
Precision and Accuracy

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To use the correct number of significant figures in reporting measurements and results of
calculation.
2. To state the difference between the precision and accuracy of measurements.
3. To determine the precision and accuracy of measurements.
4. To choose the appropriate measuring device for instruments.
5. To do some common laboratory procedures, like the proper use of the pipet and other
measuring instruments.

A. Difference between Precision and Accuracy

Table 1. Length of the unused pencil using two rulers

Group mate # Ruler 1 Ruler 2
Calibration Length of unused Calibration Length of unused
pencil pencil
1 0.01 29.20 0.01 29.90
2 0.01 29.30 0.01 30.00
3 0.01 29.10 0.01 30.10
4 0.01 29.20 0.01 29.90
Average 0.01 29.20cm 0.01 29.98cm
The actual value of the length of the unused pencil is 30.00 cm

Table 2. Percent error and average deviation as calculated from Table 1.

% error Average Deviation
Ruler 1 2.67% 0.05cm
Ruler 2 0.08% 0.08cm

B. Choice of Measuring Device

Table 3. Volume measurement as influenced by the type of measuring device.

Quantity to be measured Measuring Device
250 mL 100-mL graduated cylinder
20.1 mL 10-mL pipette
9.35 mL 10-mL pipette
 50 mL 100-mL graduated cylinder
Measuring device available: 10-mL pipette, 10-mL graduated cylinder, 100-mL graduated cylinder

C. Measurement of Density

Table 4. Measurement values of two wooden blocks

Average Measurement of Cylindrical Wooden Block
Radius (cm) 5.12
Height (cm) 7.8
Average Measurements of Rectangular Wooden Block
Length (cm) 7.4
Width (cm) 5.6
Height (cm) 10.7

Table 5. Measurement of density

mass (g) Volume (cm3) Density (g/cm3)
Cylindrical wooden block 252.4 642.4 0.3929
Rectangular wooden block 537.9 443.4 1.213

Answers to Questions:

1. Which ruler (1 or 2) gives more precise measurements? Why?

Answer: Ruler 1 because the measurements are close with each other but far from the actual value.
2. Which ruler gives more accurate measurements?
Answer: Ruler 2
3. What factors influence a) precision? B) Accuracy?
Answer: A. Factors affecting precision
 Repeatability or reproducibility
 Surface error
 Cleanliness of equipment
 Calibration interval
 Parallax
 Person skills in measuring
 Random error
B. Factors affecting accuracy
 Stability with time
 Elastic properties
 Calibration interval
 Position
 Surface defects
 Systematic error
 Cleanliness of equipment
 Temperature, pressure, humidity
 Person skills in measuring
4. If you have to measure 5.26 mL of liquid, which device will you use, a 10-mL pipet or a 10-mL
graduated cylinder? Give the reason for your choice.
Answer: 10-mL piper, since pipet is more accurate and precise than the 10-mL graduated cylinder.
5. Beakers and flasks contain calibrations for volumes of liquid but are not used for performing
accurate measurements. Why?
Answer: The marks on beakers and flasks are normally roughly 5% of the container's volume plus or
minus. As a result, they should only be utilized when a preliminary volume estimate is required.
Graduated marks on the sides of beakers and flasks are not always present, that’s why sometimes
they are just utilized to store and mix chemicals or solutions.
6. Will two objects of similar volumes always have the same density? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, the two objects will only have the same density when they have the same mass and
volume.
7. If a given substance is cut into a different shape, will the shape of the object affect its density? Why?
Answer: No, density is an intensive property, density of a substance will remain regardless of its
shape, size or volume.
8. Based on your answers to the preceding questions, can you tell whether the cylindrical block and
the rectangular block are made of the same substance or not? Explain your answer.
Answer: Yes, both cylindrical block and rectangular block are made up of the same substance,
regardless of their shapes the two blocks are both made up of wood.
9. Describe the density values that you obtained. Do they differ significantly from each other? Why or
why not?
Answer: Yes they differ from each other, as we can see in the table we obtained different density
because the cylindrical block and rectangular block have different volume and mass.