TITLE: Basic Laboratory Technique

OBJECTIVE:
1. To use triple beam balance.
2. To measure the weight using differentiating weighing method.
3. To measure the accurate and inaccurate measuring liquid volume apparatus based on
calculated volume from weight and density information.
4. To record data using the right apparatus.
RESULTS AND DATA:
(a) Weighing
Measurement in gram (g)
Item

First reading

Second reading

Third reading

Average

35.00

34.90

34.95

34.95

Coin
(1 cent 20)

(b) Volume measurement

Measurement in gram (g)
Second
Third
reading
reading

Apparatus used
to measure water

First reading

Flask A

114.70

114.70

114.60

114.63

Flask A + 25
ml of water

Burette

138.50

139.90

139.80

139.40

Beaker

161.30

161.10

161.25

161.22

Flask A + 25
ml of water +
25 ml of
water

Average

Measurement in gram (g)

Apparatus used
to measure water

First
reading

Second
reading

Third
reading

Average

Flask B

109.10

109.10

108.80

109.00

Flask B + 25
ml of water

Pipette

133.85

133.80

133.95

133.87

Measuring
cylinder

158.2

158.3

158.25

158.23

Flask B + 25
ml 0f water +
25 ml of
water

From the calculation:

Apparatus

Mass of 25 ml of water (g)

Density of water (gml-1)

Burette

24.77

0.9908

Beaker

21.82

0.8728

Pipette

24.87

0.9948

Measuring cylinder

24.36

0.9744

DISCUSSION:

From the data that has been recorded, the mass of water is slightly different from each
other when measured using different apparatus. This shows that the accuracy of these apparatus
are not the same. According to the data, the reading pipette of pipette is the most accurate. Then,
followed by the accuracy of burette, measuring cylinder and beaker. Beaker is the least accurate
apparatus because 50 ml beaker is used instead of 25ml beaker. Students need to estimate the
volume of water that is added. The volume of water might be less or more than 25 ml.
Besides that, from the study we know that electronic balance is more sensitive than triple
beam balance. Electronic balance can detect a smaller changes in the measurement as compared
to the triple beam balance. Furthermore, electronic balance shows the reading digitally and it is
easier for students to take the reading. In addition there are many other factors that that reduced
the accuracy of the measurement such as random error. The position of students eye while
measuring the volume of water will affect the accuracy of apparatus used. The solution for this
problem is the reading must be taken for several times so that the more accurate reading can be
obtained.
In this experiment, water is measured and used as the reference because we already know
the density of water which is 1gml-1. From the mass of water that we added using different
apparatus, we can calculate their density. The density that has the closest value to 1gml-1 is said to
have the highest accuracy
REFERRENCES:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_an_electronic_balance_and_what_is_it_used_for