Experiment 1

Measuring Volume and Weight

Lauren T. Yap, 21N
Department of Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University

Abstract This determined the density, mass composition,

The purpose of this experiment is to and volume composition for both mixtures and
predict the percentage mass, volume, and density pure substances. The first half of the experiment
of different mixtures and pure substances such as consisted of known substances such as water,
ethanol-water mixture and alcohol accordingly. It ethanol, and ethanol-water mixtures. The second
is also essential to measure volume and weight half consisted of two unknown mixtures. All pure
with the proper use of volumetric glassware and substances and mixtures were measured and
weighing scale for accuracy and precision. For the weighed three times. The calculated data was used
first part, pure substances and mixtures were given to determine the composition of the unknown
with known compositions. For the second part, mixtures. The experiment was done in the
unknown mixtures of water and alcohol were chemistry laboratory (SecC-207A) at a constant
given to determine its unknown compositions. room temperature of 28℃.
Results show that the percent composition for
ethanol of both unknown mixtures is 41.47%, and Results and Discussion
30.35% accordingly. In conclusion, to predict the Table 1. Calculated Density and Standard
composition of unknown mixtures, it is important Deviation of Reagents.
to take note of mass and volume.
Reagent Density SD
(g/mL) (g/mL)
Introduction
Density is a derived measurement Water .9956 .0169
expressed as mass divided by its volume with an
SI unit of kg/m3; however, in chemistry, density is 25/75 ethanol-water .9388 .0348
more often expressed in g/mL or g/cm3 (​1​). Both mixture
mass and volume are extensive properties of
matter which depend on the amount of a substance. 50/50 ethanol-water .9250 .0066
Mass is the quantity of matter an object contains, mixture
while volume is the amount of space it occupies
(​1​). The volume of a substance is related to the 75/25 ethanol-water .8947 .0080
quantity of the substance present at a defined mixture
temperature and pressure; therefore, density
changes when temperature changes as well (​2)​ . It Ethanol .8100 .0024
is not necessary to measure the mass and volume
Unknown 1 .9227 .0194
of the entire sample, because the molecules of a
solute occupy the open spaces between molecules Unknown 2 .9416 .0067
of a solvent, thus keeping volume lower than
expected (​3)​ . Linear regression is a statistical
method of representing the linear relationship Table 2. Calculated Mass and Volume Percentage
between a dependent and independent variable. of Ethanol.
There is a linear relationship between the percent Reagent %(w/w) %(v/v)
by mass of a dissolved solute and the density of a
solution (​4)​ . Volumetric glassware such as the Water 0 0
graduated cylinder, erlenmeyer flask, and a pipet
by its name measures the volume of a substance 25/75 ethanol-water mixture 21.95 25
while weighing scales measure the mass.
50/50 ethanol-water mixture 45.78 50
Methods
75/25 ethanol-water mixture 68.98 75
The volume and weight of the known and
unknown substances were measured via graduated Ethanol 100 100
cylinder, erlenmeyer flask, and weighing balance.
 accepted value of the quantity being measured ​(​7​)
(AtQ5).
Sample Calculations

A. Mass of water
∑(F inal mass−Initial mass)
Mass (g) = number of trials

(27.81−20.46)+(27.28−20.46)+(28.35−20.46)
7.35g = 3

B. Volume of water
∑(F inal volume−Initial volume)
Volume (mL) = number of trials
Figure 1. Relationship between mass composition
of ethanol and density. 7.38g =
(7.52−1)+(6.88−1)+(7.75−1)
3

The following tables summarize the

C. Density of water
densities, percentage mass, and percentage volume
⍴ (g/mL) = VMolume
ass
of both the substances and mixtures. ​To predict the
density of a 40/60-ethanol/water mixture, 7.35
0.9959 g/mL = 7.38
conditions such as the temperature should remain
constant since density changes as the temperature
D. Water Mass percent of 25/75 ethanol-water
changes. It is also important to take note the
mixture
density of a solution can predict the mass mass of solute
percentage of a composition and vise versa, %(w/w)= mass of solution x 100
therefore to determine density, it is important to
take note of the mass percentage ​(AtQ1). Although 78.04 % = 6.15
7.88 x 100
density can be predicted using mass percentage,
Figure 1. cannot predict the average densities at E. Accuracy of wate​r
expected value − true value
another temperature since the data from the Percentage error= true value x 100
experiment was obtained in constant room
0.9956− 0.9962
temperature ​(AtQ2). 0.0602%= 0.9962 x 100
According to Table 2., the measured
percentage of mass and volume is different F. Precision of ethanol density
because the addition of volumes is not additive x ± sd
since molecules of the solute fit into open spaces
between molecules of the solvent and keeps the 0.8100 ± .0024 g/mL
volume lower than expected (​ AtQ3) (​ ​5​). ​There is
no such thing as a perfect measurement; therefore, G. Mass Percentage of unknown 1
possible errors in the experiment that is associated y = mx+b
with the experimental result are precision and
accuracy. Precision is related to the random .9227= -0.0017x+.9932
distribution error, which is unavoidable, while
accuracy is related to systematic errors that x= 41.47%
explain the bias in measurement ​(​6)​ . ​Random
errors (e.g., change in temperature) cannot be Conclusion
replicated by repeating the experiment, however The mass percentage of the unknown
systematic errors (e.g., fixed amounts) can ethanol/water mixtures 1 and 2 is 41.47/58.53 and
produce consistent errors. To achieve significant 30.35/69.65. Based on the results, it can be
results, precision and accuracy must be minimized concluded that the concentration and percentage of
(AtQ4). ​Similarly, Table 1. shows that the each reagent can be calculated and predicted using
precision of the results is less than 0.05, which a calibration curve. The proper use of instruments
explains how closely related the measurements are should also be considered to minimize errors in
with one another, whereas results for accuracy precision and accuracy.
shows that the measurement is close to the
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