Measurement lab activity

Measurement Laboratory Activity

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Purpose: To learn how to use several common laboratory instruments, to measure with proper precision, to calculate a derived value having the correct number of significant digits, and to become familiar with some of the fundamental properties of matter.

Suggested Materials: Meter stick, balance, thermometer, graduated cylinders, various metal and wooden materials.

Skills Required:

USING THE BALANCE	MEASURING LIQUIDS
UNCERTAINTY IN MEASUREMENTS	SIGNIFICANT DIGITS
SOURCES OF ERROR	USE OF UNITS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT	MEASURING MATTER
LABORATORY SAFETY	TEMPERATURE CONVERSIONS

Vocabulary Required:

MASS	VOLUME	MENISCUS
PRECISION	ACCURACY	SIGNIFICANT DIGITS

Pre-lab Discussion: Like many of the introductory laboratory activities in Chemistry, the measurement activity is not quite as simple as it many seem at first glance. If done correctly, this laboratory activity should help students to understand and remember the differences between mass, weight, and volume. The students should also notice how each instrument is accurate to a certain decimal place. Students should make use of this opportunity to practice all of the above skills in the laboratory setting, as they will be needed for the entire course.

Hints and Tips:

Smaller graduated cylinders are often more accurate than larger ones. Use the smallest one that you can for each measurement.
Water left behind in a graduated cylinder can be a source of error in the next measurement of volume.
When using the "water displacement" method for finding the volume of an irregularly shaped object, the object must be fully submerged.
Other liquids can be used instead of water for objects that dissolve in water.

Follow the links below, print them out and bring them to class.

Procedures for the measurement lab

Report sheet for the measurement lab

Additional Links:

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