Date Performed: Date Submitted:

Exercise No. 1

The Analytical Balance

I. Objectives
At the end of this exercise, the student should be able to:
1. identify different parts of the analytical balance and describe their
functions;
2. use the analytical balance correctly; and
3. apply statistical tools to analyze data.

II. Principles
Mass is an important data to be measured, needed for analyzing chemistry
laboratory experiments. Weighing is associated directly to mass and there be two types of
weighing- rough weighing and accurate weighing. Rough weighing is used to weigh
entities particularly solutes which are prepared to be standardized. For example is top
loading balance, and within this type of weighing there is small range of uncertainty.
Accurate weighing is another type and it is for balances known for its high accurate
reading primarily like the analytical balance.
As indeed needed for quantitative analysis, the use of the right measurement tool
for the determination of mass is crucial for the analyst. It has been highly recommended
to use analytical balance for weighing purposes as it provides highly accurate and precise
mass mostly with a precision of at least 1 part of a million (Skoog, West, Holler &
Crouch, 2014). Different types of analytical balance have been introduced to laboratories,
firstly with the traditional two-pan balance which operates on direct comparison method.
In this balance, the beam has two pans on each end wherein the sample is placed on one
pan, and the set of weights is placed on the other pan to equalize the mass. Analytical
balances have been improved until 1956 with the single-pan balance (Skoog et.al, 2014).
This balance operates on substitution method. The empty pan is already balanced with
removable built-in weights, so when a sample is placed on the pan, a particular weight
 equal to the mass of the sample needs to be removed to achieve balance. Another type of
balance is used for more accurate results and less of mechanical work, this is the
electronic analytical balance. It uses a current in producing a magnetic field needed to
determine the load of the pan. With respect to laboratory work, these analytical balances
have their specific advantages and disadvantages over the other balances.
In this exercise, weighing techniques on analytical balance will be introduced.
Weighing by addition is the first technique and it is done by weighing first the dried
container then after the addition of the desired amount of the sample, the mass of
container currently added with the sample is taken. Another technique is weighing by
difference. This is done by firstly taking the mass of the container containing already the
sample then an approximate amount of it is then transferred to a receiving flask (Harris,
2010). The mass of the original container with the decreased quantity of sample is taken
and the difference of the first mass to the second is taken as the mass of the sample.
The study of analytical balances, their parts, how they function and use them is
significant for laboratory work especially in dealing with quantitative analysis.

III. Formula/Calculations
Mean
Ave. deviation
Range
Standard deviation
Coefficient of variation
Qtest
CI for mean

IV. Data and Results

Table 1.1. Observation of precision and accuracy on the determination of mass of
crucible.
 Sample Mass, g

1.

Crucible 2.

3.

Average =

Correct mass of crucible

∆ (𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐) =

Comment on precision and accuracy:

Table 1.2. Observation on the effect of fingerprints on the mass of the beaker.

Sample Mass, g

100-150 mL beaker handled with tongs

100-150 mL beaker handled with bare hands

Comment on the effect of fingerprints:

Table 1.3. Data on methods of weighing - by addition and by difference.

Sample Mass, g

a. wash bottle + water

b. dry beaker

c. weighing bottle + solid sample

d. weighing bottle – solid sample

e. beaker + solid sample

f. beaker + solid sample + water

g. wash bottle - water

Solid sample by addition (e-b)

Solid sample by difference (c-d)

Comment on weighing technique:

Table 1.4. Effect of evaporation on the determination of mass of water.

Sample Mass, g

Mass of water by addition (f-e)

Mass of water by difference (a-g)

Comment on effect of evaporation:

Table 1.5. Data on the reproducibility test of a “drop” of water from a medicine dropper.

a. Weighing of ten individual drops of water

Sample/Drop Number Mass, g

Initial mass of bottle + water

- 1st drop
 - 2nd drop

- 3rd drop

- 4th drop

- 5th drop

- 6th drop

- 7th drop

- 8th drop

- 9th drop

- 10th drop

Mass of individual drop, g Deviation

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Average mass, g
 Average deviation

Relative Average deviation, %

Range

b. Weighing of ten drops of water as a group

Sample Mass, g

Bottle + water

Bottle – 10 drops water

10 drops

Average mass

Comment on average drop mass for the 2 cases:

Table 1.6. Statistical evaluation of weighing data on ten new coins.

Mass of 10 individual coins, g

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

Mass of coin, xi, g Deviation, di, g di2

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Q-test (if applicable):

Mean __________________ g

Average deviation __________________ g

Standard deviation, s __________________ g

Range, R __________________ g
 Coefficient of variation, CV _________________ %

Confidence limits of x at the 90% probability level:

V. Answers to Pre-lab Questions

a) The balance door must be closed while weighing because air can enter which
causes fluctuation on the accounted mass as well as, air particles might enter in
the sample which can increase its mass.
b) Since the object is hot, the heated air in an enclosed environment causes
convection currents and appears to have less volume than sample cooled to
ambient temperatures.
c) The objects must not be added or removed while the beam is released because the
balance will not be on equilibrium at the first place, readily making errors since it
is not on its tare position.

References

Skoog, D.A., West, D.M., Holler, F., & Crouch, S.R. (2014). Fundamentals of analytic
chemistry. (9th ed.). California, USA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

Harris, D.C. (2010). Quantitative chemical analysis. (8th ed.). New York, USA: W.H. Freeman
and Company

Signature: ______________
 Date: _______________

Schematic Diagram