CHEM 103: Lab 1 Worksheet Name: _______________________________________

Significant Figures
PRE-LAB (complete before beginning the lab)

Objective: ​_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

1. What are 4 tools in the chemistry lab that are appropriate for measuring the
volume of a liquid?

2. Which of those tools will you use in this lab? Sketch them below.
IN-LAB

Table 1: Mass and Volume Measurements

Method Mass of dry, Mass of beaker + Exact volume
empty beaker (g) water (g) (mL)

5 mL in a 50-mL
graduated cylinder

50 mL in a 50-mL
graduated cylinder

Volumetric flask

POST-LAB

Table 2: Density of Water Calculations

Method Mass of water (g) Volume of water Density (g/mL)
(mL)

5 mL in a 50-mL
graduated cylinder

50 mL in a 50-mL
graduated cylinder

Volumetric flask

Error analysis questions:

1. A common type of error in the lab is a “transfer error.” Transfer error occurred in this
experiment when the water was transferred from the volume-measurement vessel and
then weighed in a separate vessel. How would you expect transfer error to affect your
density measurements?

Circle one: decrease the density, increase the density, no change, random change

Justification (1-2 sentences of explanation and/or a mathematical expression):

 2. How could you change the procedure of this experiment in order to reduce transfer
error? Explain in 1-3 sentences and/or with a diagram.

Conclusion question:

Which method gave you the most significant figures in your density answer? For the method
that gave you the most significant figures, was it the mass or volume that limited your significant
figures? Answer this question in 1-3 complete sentences, either written neatly below or
submitted digitally on Canvas.