CHEM 1108 LAB A: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

ABBIE LOUISE E. CAJUCOM, PROFESSOR- DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/ RM-CARES

1ST SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

a. WEIGHING SOLIDS
TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE - Set Up

 Move all three sliders so that they read ‘zero’

 Make sure that there is nothing on the pan and that it
is clean
 Check to see if the balance reads zero
 Your balance isn’t reading zero so you need to turn the
thumbscrew to adjust the balance until it reads zero
 Your balance is ready to measure. Place object to be
weighed on the table pan. Make sure that no part of
the object is supported by the table.

TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE- Moving Sliders

 Move the sliders, beginning with the largest. When moving a slider causes the
balance to tip, move the slider back to the previous position.
 Move the next slider until it tips the balance. Place in the previous position.
 Move the final slider until the balance reads zero.

TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE- Reading Sliders

 Read each of the sliders and add their weights together.

373 g
The sliders indicate the mass is:

 When you read the last slider, notice that

the smaller lines represent tenths.
CHEM 1108 LAB A: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

ABBIE LOUISE E. CAJUCOM, PROFESSOR- DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/ RM-CARES

1ST SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

 This measurement is past the third line following the 3 on small slider. This
indicates a mass of:

373.3 g

 To maximize the number of digits in the measurement, we estimate the last

number. Since the slider is actually about halfway between 3.3 and 3.4, we record
3.35
373.35 g

Trip Beam Balance- Parts

CHEM 1108 LAB A: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

ABBIE LOUISE E. CAJUCOM, PROFESSOR- DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/ RM-CARES

1ST SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

Top Loading Balance

 Top-loading balances are used for rapid

determination of masses to the nearest
0.1-0.001 grams.
 Using the balance:
*Turn the balance on using the power button
and wait for the display to read 0.000 g.
*Using tongs or tissue, place the empty sample
container on the center of the pan.

 Remove the empty container from the balance.

 Place the substance or object to be weighed in the container and return the
container and its contents to the balance.

 Read and record the sample’s mass, using the number of figures to the right of the
decimal point specified.

General Rules for Weighing

 General rules for balance use:

- NEVER place chemicals directly on a balance pan.

- Place chemicals in a pre-weighed container or piece of weighing paper
- Use tongs or a clean piece of lab tissue to handle the container or
weighing paper holding the sample being weighed.

 Do not place hot objects on a balance pan.

- The material being weighed must be at the same temperature as the

balance to ensure accurate mass measurement.

 Inform your teacher if the balance is not level or at the zero mark when empty.

- The balance should read zero BEFORE and AFTER weighing.

 Immediately clean up any chemicals spilled on or near a balance, following

directions from your teacher.

b. VOLUME DETERMINATION
Volume Determination using Graduated Cylinder

 To determine the volume contained in a graduated cylinder

read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level.
 Determine the volume using all certain digits plus one
uncertain digit.
 Certain digits are determined from the calibration marks on
the cylinder.
 The uncertain digit, the last digit of the volume, is the
CHEM 1108 LAB A: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

ABBIE LOUISE E. CAJUCOM, PROFESSOR- DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/ RM-CARES

1ST SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

estimated.

10 mL graduated cylinder 100 mL graduated cylinder

volume is 6.62 mL volume is 52.7 mL

Correct: viewing the meniscus Incorrect: viewing the meniscus

from an angle. at eye level.
CHEM 1108 LAB A: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

ABBIE LOUISE E. CAJUCOM, PROFESSOR- DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/ RM-CARES

1ST SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

Viewing the meniscus from an angle can lead to false readings of the volume.

c. DENSITY MEASUREMENT OF MARBLE

Second Method
(Water Displacement Method): The change in the volume of the

water in the cylinder upon placing the marble in the cylinder will be its

volume. This method is usually used when determining the volume of

irregular solid. Top loading balance was used to determine the mass

of the marble.

D. SOLUTION and PRECIPITATE

Reaction between FeCl3 and NaOH

CHEM 1108 LAB A: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

ABBIE LOUISE E. CAJUCOM, PROFESSOR- DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/ RM-CARES

1ST SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023

Decantation

It is a process to separate mixtures by removing a liquid layer

that is free of a precipitate. The purpose may be to obtain a decant

(liquid free from particulates) or to recover the precipitate.

Filtration

It is a process in which solid particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid

are removed by the use of a filter medium that permits the fluid

to pass through but retains the solid particles. Either the clarified

fluid or the solid particles removed from the fluid may be the

desired product.

Evaporation

Evaporation is the conversion of a liquid to its vapor below the

boiling temperature of the liquid. In order for a liquid molecule to

escape into the gas state, the molecule must have enough kinetic

energy to overcome the intermolecular attractive forces in the liquid.