Experiment No.

3
Measurement

Devices such as graduated cylinder, burette and pipette measure the volume of a liquid. In
taking the measurement, the eye should be at the same level as the curved surface of the liquid
called meniscus. The volume of an irregularly shaped solid, which is insoluble in water, may be
determined by water displacement. In measuring the weight, your instructor will give you detailed
instructions on the operation of the balance, which you will be using. The density of the substance
may be determined by dividing its mass by the volume it occupies while its specific gravity may be
obtained by dividing its mass by the mass of an equal volume of water.

Precision of an Instrument

The accuracy of any measured value is limited by the precision of the instrument used. The
precision, P, of an instrument signifies the smallest quantity that the instrument could be sensitive
to or is able to detect. It is defined as half of the smallest graduation or calibration of the
instrument.

Smallest calibrations , SC
Precision = ±
2

The smallest calibration, SC, is given by the equation below.

Difference between any two scales

SC =
No . of divisions

Consider the following section of a graduated cylinder. The unit of measurement is milliliter, mL.
1−0
SC = = 0.1 mL
10

or

2−1
SC = = 0.1 mL
10

0.1
P = ± = ± 0.05 mL
2

The reading as indicated by the arrows are:

a. 0.50 ± 0.05 mL
b. 2.15 ± 0.05 mL

Note: The number of digits after the decimal point in each reading (as underlined above) should be
the same as that of the precision of the instrument.

Hence, the graduated cylinder is sensitive up to 0.05 mL only and is not able to detect volumes of
0.01 nor 0.07 mL. Thus, the following readings are incorrect: 1.07 mL, 2.11 mL or 0.83 mL.
Objective:
1. To determine the density and specific gravity of liquid and solid substances

PROCEDURE:

Determination of the Density and Specific Gravity of Solid

1. Click the link and go to Mystery.

2. Weigh each mystery box. Record its weight.
3. Submerge the previously weighed mystery box in the water. Record this as final volume.
4. Note down the increase in volume after adding the mystery box. Record this as volume of
mystery box.

Data and Results:

A. Determination of Density of each Mystery Box

Name of solid _________________
Mass of mystery box _________________ g
Initial volume of water _________________mL
Final Volume of water _________________mL
Volume of mystery box _________________mL
Density of mystery box _______________g/mL
Specific gravity of mystery box _________________
Computations:

Questions:
1. Based on the density given in the table, identify the material of each mystery box.

2. Rank the materials in increasing density.

3. Why do you think different substances have different densities?

4. What is the difference between density and specific gravity?