UNIT 2:Measurements and scientific methods

Friday, October 20, 2023 6:28 PM

2.1 Measurements and Units in Chemistry

Measurement - Provides quantitative that is critical in studying Chemistry.
Fundamental physical quantities - Length, mass, time, temperature.

2.1.1 SI units ( The international system of units)

In 1960, the General conference of Weights and measures, the international authority on units,
proposed a revised metric system called the international system of units. Si BASE UNITS; Meter,
kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole,& candela.

Temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules.

˚F=9/5˚C+32 . ˚C=(˚F-32)5/9 . ˚C=K-273 . K=˚C+273

Mole- is the amount of substance that contain as many elementary particles[atoms, molecules, or
ions] as there are in 12g of carbon atom. 1 mole = 6.02*10^23 particle
* n( number of mole) = m/M, where m is given mass( gram) & M is molar mass of the particle.
*number of atom = n * 6.02*10^23
*number of atom on a molecule = n * sum of subscript * 6.02* 10^23.
The mass of one mole of an element will be equal to its atomic mass in grams. For ex: 12g of carbon
atom is equal to one mole of carbon atom since 12g/12g/mol = 1 mol.
The standard unit of molar mass is g/mol (amu) even though the SI unit is kg/mol.
SI units of derived units- Density( kg/m^3), force(kg.m/s^2= Newton), pressure(kg/(m.s^2)= pascal),
concentration (mol/L), energy(kg.m^2/s^2 = joule ).
Concentration- refers to the amount of solute dissolved in a solvent, it is a unit used to describe the
strength of sol/n.
Volume
1 L = 1 dm^3 and 1 mL = 1cm^3.
Density
d= m/v , kg/m^3= 1g/l= 0.001g/mL.
Pressure
1 atm(standard pressure & is approximately equal to Earth's average atmospheric pressure at sea
level.) = 760 mmHg = 76cmHg = 760 torr =101.325 KPa (101325 Pa).
2.1.4 Uncertainty in Measurements
A)Systematic uncertainty- lie in one direction of the true value, cause the value to be too large or too
small and they are caused by personal or instrumental error. They are such things as inaccurate meter
stick, mis calibrated balances , optical parallax,… In principle, systematic uncertainty can be eliminated
if u know they exist.
B)Random uncertainty - cause without a predictable pattern not in a particular direction, vary in
direction and magnitude and mainly affect the precision of measurement. Random uncertainty can be
reduced, but never eliminated.
*Uncertainty can be caused due to: - observational error
- Instrumental error
-Variability in the item being measured
- Environmental cond.
*In chemistry we use to kinds of numbers:
1.Exact number and 2. Inexact number

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