2.measurement of Volume and Weight

Measurement Volume and Weight
By: Tsegaye N. (B. Pharm., MSc)
04/05/24 pharm.Calculation 1
Measurement of volume and weight
 Measurement is finding a number that shows the size or

amount of something.
 We can measure many different things, but most often
we measure length, area, volume, mass and time.
 Each instrument used must meet established standards
for sensitivity, accuracy, and capacity.
A. Measurement of volume
 Volume is the amount of space an object takes up or

contains.
 Instruments used for measurement of volume ranges from
micro pipettes and burettes to calibrated vessels.
 In pharmacy practice, the most common instruments for
measuring volume are cylindrical and conical (cone-
shaped) graduates.
 This graduate can be prepared from glass or plastics.
Cont’d…
 For measurement of small volumes we use;
e
ring
d sy
te
rate
ret
bu
b
Cali
tte
Pipe
04/05/24 4
Pharm Calculation
Cont’d…
Liter is the primary unit / (SI) of volume.
Liter =10 (dl)
=100 cl
=1000mL(cc)
=1,000,000µm
B. Measurement of weight
The weight is how much something is pulled by gravity.

Balances and scales are weight-measuring instruments.
Cont’d…
 The primary unit of weight in the SI is the gram(g).
1g
= 0.001 kilogram(kg)
=10 decigrams(dg)
=100 centigrams(cg)
=1000 milligrams(mg)
=1,000,000 micrograms(mcg)
Aliquot method of weighing and measuring
 When a degree of precision in measurement that is beyond

the capacity of the instrument at hand is required, the
pharmacist may achieve the desired precision by calculating
and measuring in terms of aliquot parts.
 Uses to achieve the desired precision; when a degree of
precision in measurement is beyond the capacity of the
instrument at hand is required.
Cont’d…
The aliquot method of weighing:-

Is a method by which small quantities of a substance beyond
the capacity of the instrument obtained within the desired
degree of accuracy.
It is done by steps ;
1. weighing a larger-than-needed portion of the
substance,
2. diluting it with an inert material, and then
3. weighing a portion (aliquot) of the mixture calculated
to contain the desired amount of the needed
substance.
Cont’d…
Preliminary Step.
The smallest quantity of a substance that can be
weighed on the balance with the desired precision
= Sensitivity Requirement (mg) x100%

Acceptable Error (%)
Sensitivity Requirement
 The load that will cause a change of one division on the

index plate of the balance.
 May be determined by the following procedure:
1. Level the balance.
2. Determine the rest point of the balance.
3. Determine the smallest weight that causes the rest

point to shift one division on the index plate.
Cont’d…
Example;
On a balance with an SR of 6 mg, and with an acceptable
error of not greater than 5%, 5 mg of a drug substance is
required on a prescription. By this balance,
a)calculate the smallest quantity of a substance that can be

weighed with the desired precision?
b)how much quantity must be weighed for the desired

accuracy?
Cont’d…
Given: SR=6 mg
A.e = 5%, Quantity required = 5mg
Requirements,
a. smallest quantity measurable by this balance
b. quantity must be weighed for the desired accuracy
Soln;
a.Sq = SR x 100% Acceptable error
= 6mg x 100% 5% = 120 mg
Cont’d…
b. step 1, Select a multiple of the desired quantity that can

be weighed with the required precision (>120mg).
= 5mg x y > 120mg
= y >24
Let, 25 x 5mg=125mg should be weighed
Cont’d…
Step 2. Dilute the multiple quantity with an inert substance

The amount of inert diluent to use is determined by the fact
that the aliquot portion of the drug-diluent mixture weighed
in Step 3 must be equal to or greater than the minimum
weighable quantity previously determined(120mg).
Cont’d…
 If we decide on 120 mg for the aliquot portion in Step 3,

multiply it by the multiple selected in Step 1 (i.e., 25),
3000 mg for the total quantity of the drug-diluent mixture
to prepare.
 Subtracting the 125 mg of drug weighed in Step 1, we must
add 2875 mg of diluent to prepare the 3000 mg of drug-
diluent mixture.
Cont’d…
Step 3. Weigh the aliquot portion of the dilution that
contains the desired quantity.
Since 25 times the needed amount of drug substance was

weighed (Step 1), an aliquot part equal to 1⁄25 of the 3000-
mg drug-diluent mixture, or 120 mg, will contain the
required quantity of drug substance.
proof:1⁄25 x 125 mg (drug substance weighed in Step1) = 5

mg
1⁄25 x 2875 mg (diluent weighed in Step 2) =115 mg
120 mg aliquot part

Cont’d…
 Eg.2. A torsion prescription balance has a sensitivity

requirement of 6.5 milligrams. Explain how you would
weigh 15 milligrams of atropine sulfate with an accuracy of
5%, using lactose as the diluent.
Answer: Smallest quantity to weigh
= SR x 100% A.e
= 6.5mg x 100% 5%
= 130mg
Cont’d…
If 10 is chosen as the multiple, and if 130 milligrams is set as

the weight of the aliquot, then:
 1. Weigh 10 x 15 mg = 150 mg of atropine sulfate
 2. Dilute with 1150 mg (1300-150) of lactose to make

1300 mg of dilution
 3. Weigh 1⁄10 of dilution, or 130 mg, which will contain
15 mg of atropine sulfate.
1.4. Density, Specific Gravity and Specific Volume
A. Density (d)
 How many particles there are in a given amount of

space(volume).
 usually expressed as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc)
 Water is 1 g/cc; b/c of the gram is defined as the mass of

1 cc of water at 4oc.
Cont’d…
For example,
If 10 mL of sulfuric acid weighs 18 g, its density is:
Density = mass/volume
=18 g/10 mL = 1.8g/mL
B. Specific gravity
Comparison of weights of equal volumes
Calculated by dividing or ratio of the weight of a given

substance by the weight of an equal volume of water (i.e.
both substances at the same temperature)
Water is used as the standard for the specific gravities of
liquids and solids; and the most useful standard for gases is
hydrogen.
Cont’d…
Specific gravity
= Wt. of substance Wt. of equal volume of water

The specific gravities of water at 25 0c is 1.00
Substances that have a specific gravity less than one are

lighter than water.
Substances that have a specific gravity greater than one are
heavier than water.
Cont’d…
Application of specific gravity

 Specific gravity is an indicator of both the concentration of
particles in the urine and a patient’s degree of hydration. A
higher-than-normal specific gravity indicates that the urine
is concentrated.
 Specific gravity is a factor that expresses how much heavier
or lighter a substance is than water.
Cont’d…
E.g.1
If 10 mL of sulfuric acid weighs 18 g, and 10 mL of water,
under similar conditions, weighs 10 g, calculate specific
gravity of the acid.
Soln;
Specific gravity
= Wt of H2SO4/Wt of H2O at similar condition (T $ P)
= 18g/10g =1.8
Cont’d…
E.g.2
A specific gravity bottle weighs 23.66 g. When filled with water,
it weighs 72.95 g; when filled with another liquid, it weighs 73.56
g.
What is the specific gravity of the liquid?
Soln; Wt of the liquid = 73.56 g - 23.66 g = 49.90 g
Wt of water = 72.95 g - 23.66 g = 49.29 g
Specific gravity of the liquid
= Wt of the liquid/ Wt of water
= 49.90 (g)/49.29 (g)
04/05/24
=1.012 pharm.Calculation 27
Cont’d…
 If the volume of the liquid in question is assumed to be the

same volume as that of water for which milliliter equals to
gram;
Grams (other liquid) = Grams (of equal volume of water) x

Specific gravity (other liquid)
Milliliters = Grams Specific gravity
Cont’d…
E.g. 1
What is the weight, in grams, of 3620 mL of alcohol with a
specific gravity of 0.820?
Soln
= 3620 mL of water weigh 3620 g
= Weight of alcohol = grams of H20 x Sp.g of alcohol
= 3620 g x 0.820
= 2968 g, answer.
Cont’d…
E.g. 2
What is the volume, in milliliters, of 492 g of nitric acid with a
soln;
Grams HNO3 = Grams (of equal volume of water) x Sp.g. of HNO3
Grams (of equal volume of water) = Grams HNO3 / Sp.g. of HNO3
= 492 g/ 1.4 = 351 g
351 g of water measure 351 mL and equals with that HNO3 volume.
So, HNO3 volume is 351mL.
Density vs. Specific gravity
Density Specific gravity

Concrete(definite) ratio of like quantities,
number  an abstract (theoretical)
number.
varies with the units of a constant value for each
measure used, substance per controlled
condition, b/c of no
dimension.
C. Specific Volume
Comparison of volumes of equal weights.
The volume of a substance to the volume of an equal weight

water taken as a standard, both having the same
temperature.
Specific volume
= volume of a substance /volume of an equal weight H2O
Reciprocals to specific gravity.
= 1/specific gravity
An abstract number representing the ratio.
Cont’d…
E.g.1
Calculate the specific volume of a syrup, 91.0 mL of which
weighs 107.16 g. 107.16 g of water measures 107.16 mL
Soln:
Specific volume of syrup = 91.0 (mL)/107.16 (mL)
= 0.849
Cont’d…
E.g.2
What is the specific volume of phosphoric acid having a
Soln;
specific volume = 1/specific gravity
= 1/1.71
= 0.585
Thank you

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2.measurement of Volume and Weight

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Measurement Volume and Weight

By: Tsegaye N. (B. Pharm., MSc)

 Measurement is finding a number that shows the size or

 Volume is the amount of space an object takes up or

Liter =10 (dl)

The weight is how much something is pulled by gravity.

 The primary unit of weight in the SI is the gram(g).

 When a degree of precision in measurement that is beyond

The aliquot method of weighing:-

= Sensitivity Requirement (mg) x100%

 The load that will cause a change of one division on the

1. Level the balance.

2. Determine the rest point of the balance.

3. Determine the smallest weight that causes the rest

a)calculate the smallest quantity of a substance that can be

b)how much quantity must be weighed for the desired

A.e = 5%, Quantity required = 5mg

a. smallest quantity measurable by this balance

b. quantity must be weighed for the desired accuracy

a.Sq = SR x 100% Acceptable error

= 6mg x 100% 5% = 120 mg

b. step 1, Select a multiple of the desired quantity that can

= 5mg x y > 120mg

Let, 25 x 5mg=125mg should be weighed

Step 2. Dilute the multiple quantity with an inert substance

 If we decide on 120 mg for the aliquot portion in Step 3,

Since 25 times the needed amount of drug substance was

proof:1⁄25 x 125 mg (drug substance weighed in Step1) = 5

120 mg aliquot part

 Eg.2. A torsion prescription balance has a sensitivity

Answer: Smallest quantity to weigh

If 10 is chosen as the multiple, and if 130 milligrams is set as

 2. Dilute with 1150 mg (1300-150) of lactose to make

 How many particles there are in a given amount of

 usually expressed as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc)

 Water is 1 g/cc; b/c of the gram is defined as the mass of

=18 g/10 mL = 1.8g/mL

Comparison of weights of equal volumes

Calculated by dividing or ratio of the weight of a given

= Wt. of substance Wt. of equal volume of water

Substances that have a specific gravity less than one are

Application of specific gravity

= Wt of H2SO4/Wt of H2O at similar condition (T $ P)

 If the volume of the liquid in question is assumed to be the

Grams (other liquid) = Grams (of equal volume of water) x

Milliliters = Grams Specific gravity

= 3620 mL of water weigh 3620 g

= Weight of alcohol = grams of H20 x Sp.g of alcohol

Grams HNO3 = Grams (of equal volume of water) x Sp.g. of HNO3

Grams (of equal volume of water) = Grams HNO3 / Sp.g. of HNO3

= 492 g/ 1.4 = 351 g

So, HNO3 volume is 351mL.

Density Specific gravity

Comparison of volumes of equal weights.

The volume of a substance to the volume of an equal weight

= volume of a substance /volume of an equal weight H2O

Reciprocals to specific gravity.

Specific volume of syrup = 91.0 (mL)/107.16 (mL)

specific volume = 1/specific gravity

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