Experiment 2

MEASUREMENTS: TEMPERATURE AND MASS-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS

Quantities of materials may be measured in terms of their masses or volumes.

Masses of substances are measured using balances, e.g. triple beam balance, top
loading balance or an analytical balance. The first two types can give masses up to
0.01 g while the analytical balance is up to 0.0001 g. For basic laboratory work,
precision with 0.01 g may suffice.

Amounts of liquids are more conveniently measured in terms of their volumes.

Graduated cylinders, pipettes or burettes may be used for this purpose; the choice of
apparatus is dependent on the degree of precision desired.

The density (d) of a material is a very important property that may be used to
identify its composition for mixtures and its identity for a substance. It is defined as
the ratio of a sample’s mass (m) to the volume (V) it occupies.

𝑚
𝑑= 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2.1
𝑉

In layman’s term, temperature is a measure of the warmth or coldness of an

object with reference to an arbitrary value. However, in a scientist point of view, it is
a measure of the average kinetic energy molecules. In most scientific work, Celsius
and Kelvin temperature scales are used.

In this experiment, students should be able to measure mass, volume, and

temperature with precision. Using calculated density, students should be able to
identify the identity of the unknown liquid.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Make sure that the three-pronged clamp is tight enough (but not too tight – it
may crack it) to hold the thermometer in your set-up.

PROCEDURES

This experiment is to be done in groups of three or two. Collaboration is

important and you are expected to discuss all results and observations with your lab
partner(s). Be sure to record your partner’s observations in your report sheet.

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A. Determination of the Density of an Unknown Liquid

1. Determine the mass of a clean and dry graduated cylinder using the top loading
balance.

2. Secure an unknown liquid from your instructor.

3. Fill the graduated cylinder to 10.0 mL mark and record the volume. Use a
Pasteur pipette to add/remove small amounts of the sample.

4. Weigh the graduated cylinder

filled with the unknown liquid.

5. Calculate the density of the

unknown liquid.

6. Perform two more trials using

the same graduated cylinder and
top loading balance and
calculate the average (x̅) of the
density.

7. From the calculated density,

identify the identity of the
unknown liquid and determine
the % error.

Figure 2-1. Eye Position A & C are improper

while B is the proper eye position for taking
volume readings. The meniscus reading here is
50.0 mL.

Table 2-1. Density of Suspected Unknown Liquids at 20oC and 1 atm

Liquid Water Benzene Chloroform Methanol

Density / g cm-3 0.9982 0.8700 1.4990 0.7913

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B. Measurement of Temperature

1. Immerse a thermometer in a beaker half-filled with tap water. Make sure that
the thermometer bulb is under water and does not touch the bottom of the
beaker.

2. After 5 minutes, read the thermometer.

3. Record the temperature of the water in degree Celsius (˚C). Convert the
temperature to Kelvin (K) and Fahrenheit (˚F)

4. Perform two more trials using the same thermometer and calculate the average
(x̅) temperature in degree Celsius.

The precision of a measurement is a statement about the internal agreement

among repeated results; it is a measure of the reproducibility of a given set of results.
The arithmetic mean (average) of the results is usually taken as the "best" value. The
simplest measure of precision is the average deviation from the mean. The average
deviation is calculated by first determining the mean of the measurements, then
calculating the deviation of each individual measurement from the mean and, finally,
averaging the deviations (treating each as a positive quantity). Study Example 2.1
and then, using your own experimental results, calculate the mean volume delivered
by your 10-mL pipet. Also calculate for your three trials the individual deviations from
the mean and then state your pipet's volume with its average deviation.

EXAMPLE 2.1

PROBLEM: The following values were obtained for the calibration of a 10-mL pipet:
10.10, 9.98, and 10.00 mL. Calculate the mean value and the average deviation from
the mean.

SOLUTION:
10.10 + 9.98 + 10.00
Mean = = 10.03
3

Deviations from the mean: |value – mean|

|10.10 – 10.03| = 0.07
|9.98 – 10.03| = 005
|10.00 – 10.03| = 0.03

0.07+ 0.05+0.03
Average deviation from the mean = = 0.05
3

The reported value is therefore 10.03 ± 0.05 mL.

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GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

• Among the quantities you measured, i.e. mass, volume, density and
temperature, which are extensive properties, and which are intensive
properties? Explain the difference of intensive and extensive properties.

• Why is there a need to replicate measurements? Can you say that the average
of your measurements is the true value? Explain.

• Comment on the calculated density of the unknown liquid. If a solid metal such
as zinc is placed into this liquid at room temperature, will it float or sink?
Explain.

• What is the absolute temperature scale? Why is it called absolute?

DISPOSAL OF WASTES

Dispose the unknown liquid into the sink.

Dispose all used tissue/paper into a regular trash can.

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 PRE-LABORATORY EXERCISES
MEASUREMENTS: TEMPERATURE AND MASS-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS

NAME ______________________ LOCKER NO. _________ RATING __________

SCHEDULE __________________ DATE PERFORMED ______________________

This is due before performing Experiment 2. Use the spaces provided to answer the
following questions.

1. What are the basic units of mass, volume, density, and temperature in the SI
system?

2. What is the density of an object with a mass of 9.03 g and a volume of 0.20 mL?

3. Weighing an object three times gave the following results: 10.26 g, 10.19 g, and
10.30 g. Find the mean weight and the average deviation from the mean.

4. Normal body temperature is 98.6°F. What is the corresponding Celsius

temperature?

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 PRE-LABORATORY ACTIVITY SHEET
MEASUREMENTS: TEMPERATURE AND MASS-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS

NAME ______________________ LOCKER NO. _________ RATING __________

SCHEDULE __________________ DATE PERFORMED ______________________

Accomplish the Table of Glassware and Apparatus

Glassware/Apparatus Number of
Specifications
needed per group pieces needed

150-mL beaker

25-mL graduated
cylinder

Top-loading balance

Thermometer

Three-pronged
clamp

Iron stand

Pasteur pipet

Page 6 of 8
 DATA AND RESULTS SHEET
MEASUREMENTS: TEMPERATURE AND MASS-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS

NAME ______________________ LOCKER NO. _________ RATING __________

SCHEDULE __________________ DATE PERFORMED ______________________

A. Determination of the Density of an Unknown Liquid

Trial 1 Trial 2 Average (x̅)

Mass, empty
--------
container
Mass,
container & --------
sample

Mass, sample --------

Volume,
--------
sample

Density,
sample
Density &
identity of -------- --------
sample

% Error -------- --------

B. Measurement of Temperature

Sample Temperature Trial 1 Trial 2 Average (x̅)

Celsius

Distilled water (in beaker) Kelvin

Fahrenheit

Page 7 of 8
 DATA AND RESULTS SHEET
MEASUREMENTS: TEMPERATURE AND MASS-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS

NAME ______________________ LOCKER NO. _________ RATING __________

SCHEDULE __________________ DATE PERFORMED ______________________

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Please use extra sheets of paper in case that your discussion exceeds the space
provided below.

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