BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022

MNSD CAS SLSU

NAME: Kristine Mae M. Merhan SCORE: ____________ DATE: October 19, 2021
Course/Year/Section: BSN-1B Class Sched: Day: Tue/Thurs Time:4:30-7:30 pm

Activity 4
Measurement

Introduction
Chemistry is the study of matter. Our understanding of chemical processes
thus depends on our ability to acquire accurate information about matter. Often,
this information is quantitative, in the form of measurements. In this lab, you will
be introduced to some common measuring devices, and learn how to use them to
obtain correct measurements, each with correct precision.
All measuring devices are subject to error, making it impossible to obtain
exact measurements. Students will record all the digits of the measurement using
the markings that we know exactly and one further digit that we estimate and call
uncertain. The uncertain digit is our best estimate using the smallest unit of
measurement given and estimating between two of these values.
These digits are collectively referred to as significant figures. Note, the
electronic balance is designed to register these values and the student should only
record the value displayed.
When making measurements, it is important to be as accurate and precise as
possible. Accuracy is a measure of how close an experimental measurement is to
the true, accepted value. Precision refers to how close repeated measurements
(using the same device) are to each other.

Part I. SI Units

Complete the table showing the seven SI base units and some common prefixes.
Row no. 1 is given as an example.

Table 4.1. SI Base Units

Base Quantity Name of Unit Symbol
Length meter m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Electric current ampere A
Temperature kelvin K
Amount of substance mole mol
Luminous intensity candela cd

Table 4.2. Prefixes used with SI Units

Prefix Symbol Meaning Example (use moles)
pico- p 10-12 1 picomoles (pmol) = 1 x 10-12 mol
nano- n 10-9 1 nanomoles (nmol) = 1 x 10-9 mol
micro- µ 10-6 1 micromoles (µmol) = 1 x 10-6 mol
BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022
MNSD CAS SLSU

milli- m 10-3 1 milimoles (mmol) = 1 x 10-3 mol

centi- c 10-2 1 centimoles (cmol) = 1 x 10-2 mol
deci- d 10-1 1 decimoles (dmol) = 1 x 10-1 mol
kilo- k 103 1 kilomoles (kmol) = 1 x 103 mol
mega- M 106 1 megamoles (Mmol) = 1 x 106 mol
giga- G 109 1 gigamoles (Gmol) = 1 x 109 mol
tera- T 1012 1 teramoles (Tmol) = 1 x 1012 mol

Part II. Mass, Weight, Volume and Density

Answer the following questions (Show your solution)

1. Differentiate mass vs. weight

Mass is a measurement of an object’s tendency to resist changing its

state of motion, known as inertia. Left to its own devices, an object will stay
put or move in a straight line, unless some force ,like friction, acts on it.
Mass depends on how much matter there is in an object; more mass means
more inertia, as there is more to get moving. Weight, on the other hand, is
a measure of the amount of downwards force that gravity exerts on an
object. This force increases with the object’s mass: the more inertia it has,
the harder gravity pulls.

2. Gold is a precious metal that is chemically unreactive. It is used mainly in

jewelry, dentistry, and electronic devices. A piece of gold ingot with a mass
of 301 g has a volume of 15.6 cm3. Calculate the density of gold.

Density = mass/volume
D= 301 g/ 15.6cm3
D= 19.29487171795 g/cm3
D= 19.3 g/cm3

3. The density of ethanol, a colorless liquid that is commonly known as grain

alcohol, is 0.798 g/mL. Calculate the mass of 17.4 mL of the liquid.

Mass= volume x density

Mass= 17.4 mL x 0.798 g/mL
Mass= 13.8852 g
Mass= 13.9 g
BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022
MNSD CAS SLSU

Part III. Temperature Scales

Answer the following questions (Show your solution)

1. (a) Normally the human body can endure a temperature of 105°F for only
short periods of time without permanent damage to the brain and other vital
organs. What is this temperature in degrees Celsius?

°C= 5/9 (°F-32)

°C= 5/9 (105-32)
°C= 5/9 (73)
°C= 40.55555555556
°C= 40.6°C

(b) Ethylene glycol is a liquid organic compound that is used as an antifreeze

in car radiators. It freezes at 211.5°C. Calculate its freezing temperature in
degrees Fahrenheit.

°F= 9/5 °C + 32
°F= 9/5 211.5°C + 32
°F= 380.7 + 32
°F= 412.7 °F

Part IV. Comparing Volume Measurements using Syringe

Materials
Syringe (1 mL, 3 mL, 5 mL)
Small cup or container
Water (tap water or water-food color solution)

Procedure
1. Fill a small cup with approximately 20 mL water or dye solution
2. Using the 1 mL syringe, aspirate exactly 1 mL of the solution and transfer it
to another cup.
3. Measure the volume of the aliquot using 3 mL syringe. Make sure to aspirate
every drop of the aliquot. Invert your syringe to measure the volume.
Observe for bubble inside the syringe. If there are air pockets inside the
syringe, invert the syringe, gently flick it using your fingers until the air
bubbles settled at the top, then slowly push the plunger to release the air.
Then measure the remaining liquid inside the syringe. Record your
observation.
4. Repeat these steps but this time, use a 5 mL syringe to measure your aliquot.
5. Using the same solution, aspirate 3 mL of the solution using a 5 mL syringe
and transfer it to another cup.
6. Measure the volume of the aliquot using 3 mL syringe. Make sure to aspirate
every drop of the aliquot. Invert your syringe to measure the volume. Take
note of the same observations as step 3. Record your observation.
BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022
MNSD CAS SLSU

7. Repeat these steps but this time, use a 1 mL syringe to measure your 3 mL
aliquot. Do this in three batches at 1 mL each. At the last measurement,
observe for leftover or air pockets inside the syringe. If you have leftover
solution, include this in your measurement. Record your measurement.
8. Repeat these steps two more times for a total of three independent sets of
volume measurements. Make sure that the syringes and cups are clean and
well dried before repeating the experiments
9. Compute for percent error.
BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022
MNSD CAS SLSU

Table 4.3.
Measurement Observations

Measuring 1 mL It is easy to use the 5 mL syringe in measuring the 1 mL

aliquot using 5 mL aliquot but sometimes I get inaccurate measurements
syringe but it is just a minimal error.

Measuring 1 mL For me the 3 mL syringe is much easier to use

aliquot using 3 mL compared to the 5 mL syringe I got 0% percent error
syringe using this equipment.

Measuring 3 mL Just like my observation in measuring 1mL aliquot using

aliquot using 3 mL 3 mL syringe, it is much easier to use compared to the 1
syringe mL syringe and I also got 0% percent error.

Measuring 3 mL The presence of air bubbles makes it hard for me to

aliquot using 1 mL accurately measure it and for me the 1 mL syringe is the
syringe most hardest to use and it also commit the most
inaccurate measurements.

Table 4.4.
Experimental Data
Measuring Average Percent
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3
device measurement Error
(mL) (mL) (mL)
Measuring
1 mL
aliquot 1 mL 0.9 mL 0.9 mL 0.9 mL 6.67%
using 5 mL
syringe
Measuring
1 mL
aliquot 1 mL 1 mL 1 mL 1 mL 0%
using 3 mL
syringe
BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022
MNSD CAS SLSU

Measuring
3 mL
aliquot 3 mL 3 mL 3 mL 3 mL 0%
using 3 mL
syringe
Measuring
3 mL
aliquot 3 mL 3.1 mL 2.09 mL 2.73 mL 9%
using 1 mL
syringe

Guide questions
1. In measuring 1 mL aliquot, which syringe has the least percent error?
The syringe that has the least percent error in measuring 1 mL aliquot
is the 3 mL syringe.

2. In measuring 3 mL aliquot, which syringe has the least percent error?

The syringe that has the least percent error in measuring 3 mL aliquot
is the 3 mL syringe.

3. Which syringe is the most accurate in measuring smaller amounts of liquid?

Based from the results the 3 mL syringe is the most accurate in
measuring smaller amounts of liquid.

4. Discuss the possible sources of errors in this experiment.

The possible sources of errors in this experiment are the presence of
air bubbles and the human itself. Because of the presence of air bubbles I
can’t accurately measure it. And also, I lack the experience in using these
equipment ,particularly the syringe, that’s why it takes me time to figure out
some techniques how to use it properly.

5. Does percent error measure accuracy or precision? Explain.

Because error assumes there is an accepted or right value, percent
error is related with accuracy rather than precision. Precision is concerned
with how closely values agree with one another without regard for any
acceptable value.

6. Why does every human measurement have uncertainty associated with it?
Why must we manage the uncertainty during calculations?
Regardless of precision or accuracy, all measurements have certain
degree of uncertainty. This is mainly because of two reasons: the measuring
instrument's limitations (systematic error) and the skill of the experimenter
doing the measurements (random error).

Uncertainty in measurement is crucial for risk assessment and decision

making. Decision risks increase when measuring data are inaccurate.
BIO00L | 1st semester 2021-2022
MNSD CAS SLSU

For your lab performance, insert picture of your experiments here.