Measurement and Experimental Techniques

Time, Temperature, Mass & Volume

Time

Time can be measured using a stopwatch or stop clock which are usually accurate to
one or two decimal places.

Analogue stopwatch has an accuracy of +0.1s while digital with +0.01s.

The units of time normally used are seconds or minutes although other units may be
used for extremely slow reactions (e.g. rusting).

1 minute = 60 seconds.

Temperature

Temperature is measured with a thermometer which can normally give readings to the
nearest degree Celsius.

The S.I. unit for it is kelvin (K).

Digital thermometers are available which are more precise than traditional
thermometers.

Traditional thermometers rely upon the uniform expansion and contraction of a liquid
substance with temperature; they tend to be more accurate than digital thermometers
which often need to be re-calibrated.

The units of temperature are degrees Celsius (ºC).

Temperature in K = Temperature in °C + 273 (Note that there is no sign (°) before 'K')

Mass
Mass is measured using a digital (electronic) balance with an accuracy of +0.01 g or a
beam balance which normally give readings to two decimal places. These must be
tared (set to zero) before use.

The standard unit of mass is kilograms (kg) but in chemistry grams (g) are most often
used.

1 kilogram = 1000 grams

1 tonne = 1000 kilograms
Volume-liquids

The volume of a liquid can be determined using several types of apparatus,

depending on the level of accuracy needed.

The SI unit for measuring volume is cubic metre (m3).

1 cubic metre = 1000 cubic decimetre

1 cubic decimetre = 1000 cubic centimetre
1 litre = 1 cubic decimetre

For approximate volumes where accuracy is not an important factor, measuring

cylinders are used. These are graduated (have a scale so can be used to measure)
and are available in 0.5 cm cube, 50 cm cube, 100 cm cube and 250 cm cube.

Pipettes are the most accurate way of measuring a fixed volume of liquid, usually 10
cm cube or 25.0 cm cube.

Burettes are the most accurate way of measuring a variable volume of liquid between
0 cm3 and 50 cm3 (e.g. in a titration)..

Diagram of a burette
with conical flask and
pipette with filler

Volume-gases

The volume of a gas sometimes needs to be measured and is done by collecting it in

a graduated measuring apparatus.

A gas syringe is usually the apparatus used which measures a maximum volume of
100 cubic centimetre.

A graduated cylinder inverted in water may also be used, provided the gas isn’t
water-soluble.

If the gas happens to be heavier than air and is colored, the cylinder can be used
upright.
 Diagram of the set-up
for an experiment
involving gas
collection

How do we read a volume of a liquid ?

When water or a solution is placed in container, it forms a curved surface called

a meniscus. To read the volume of a liquid, align your eyes to the liquid level

Reading the meniscus in a burette

Methods for collecting Gases

Collecting a gas, it depends on two physical properties of gas:

1) Solubility is how soluble is the gas
2) Density is how dense the gas in compared to air.

The gas can be collected by any three of the following methods:

1) Displacement of water is suitable for collecting gases that are invisible or slightly
soluble in water.
2) Downward delivery is used to collect gases that are soluble in water and denser in air.
3) Upward delivery is used to collect gases that are soluble in water and less dense than air.

Drying a Gas

It can be done by a drying agent.