Activity 01: Measurement, Accuracy, and Precision

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the activity, students should be able to:
1. Properly use the analytical balance and Erlenmeyer flask;
2. Determine the sources of error in measurements;
3. Apply the rules of significant figures in mathematical operations; and,
4. Compute the mean and standard deviation of data.

MATERIALS Analytical balance Test tubes Graduated cylinders Watch glass Iron nails
Erlenmeyer flask Tap or distilled water

PROCEDURE
A. Using the analytical balance
1. Collect three SLU IDs from your group.
2. Place the three IDs in a watch glass, and determine the total mass.
3. Next, weigh each ID. Make sure that you have set the measurement at zero.
4. Determine the sum of the masses and the mean and standard deviation of your measurements. Record your
data in TABLE 1.
5. Do the same for 3 iron nails. Record your data in TABLE 4 (refer to Part D).

TABLE 1. Mass of Identification Cards

Sample Mass (g) Average Mean StDev

SLU ID 1
SLU ID 2
SLU ID 3

Total mass of 3 IDs measured together: __________

Sum of mass of individual IDs: __________

B. Measuring the volume of liquids

1. Obtain a 250mL Erlenmeyer flask and approximately pour 30mL of tap water.
2. Transfer the contents to a 50mL graduated cylinder. Record the measurement.
3. Then, using the 10-mL graduated cylinder, determine the actual measurement of the water sample that was
measured using the flask.
4. Do the procedure thrice. Record your data in TABLE 2, and determine the mean and standard deviation.

TABLE 2. Volume of Tap Water

R1 R2 R3 Mean StDev
Volume of water in 50-mL
graduated cylinder (mL)
Volume of water in 10-mL
graduated cylinder (mL)

C. Measuring the volume of test tubes

1. Choose three test tubes from your glassware.
2. Fill one tube with tap water.
3. Determine the volume of the test tube by transferring the water to the 10-mL graduated cylinder.
4. Perform the same procedure with the other two test tubes.
5. Record the data in TABLE 3.

GENERAL INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 1

 TABLE 3. Volume of Small Test Tubes

R1 R2 R3 Mean StDev
Volume of water in the test
tube

D. Determining the density of iron nails

1. Place 6mL of tap water into the 10-mL graduated cylinder. Make sure that the measurement is accurate.
2. Slide one iron nail into the graduated cylinder, then record the final volume.
3. Subtract the initial volume from the final volume to determine the volume of the nail.
4. Do the same procedure for each nail. Record your data in the table below. Using the data, compute the density
of the iron nails.

TABLE 4. Mass and Volume of Iron Nails

Sample Mass Volume Density Mean Mass Mean Volume Mean Density
± StDev ± StDev ± StDev
Iron Nail 1
Iron Nail 2
Iron Nail 3

Total Mass of 3 Iron Nails Measured Together: __________

Sum of Mass of Individual Iron Nails: __________

E. Using Scientific Notations

1. Convert the mean mass ± standard deviation into kg using a scientific notation form.
Sample Solution:

2. Convert the mean volume ± standard deviation into L using a scientific notation form.
Sample Solution:

3. Convert the mean density ± standard deviation into g/L using a scientific notation form.
Sample Solution:

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of reporting your measurements' mean and standard deviation?

2. What are possible sources of error when measuring the mass and volume of materials? How do you minimize these errors?

3. When using the graduated cylinder or pipette, why should you read measurements eye level?
Useful formulae:

GENERAL INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2