Measurement of solids

Common Pitfalls /mistakes

Students often confuse mass and volume, their units,
and the devices used to measure them. Keep the
following information fresh in your mind:
Mass Volume
-------------------------------
Grams (g) Milliliters (mL)
Balance Graduated cylinder

• Always keep these two straight!

i. Triple-Beam Balance – a mechanical balance used to determine
the mass of an object, by moving sliders on three bars until the
mass on the pan is balanced by the positions of the sliders.
1. When not in use, and the sliders are at the right side of their
tracks, the pointer should be exactly on zero.
2. If it needs adjusted, turn the knob under the pan slowly until
it reads 0.
3. All readings made by this balance must be reported to 2
decimal places.
ii. Electronic Balance – a balance used to determine the mass of an
object. If it is at zero when turned on, the mass can be determined
simply by placing the object on the pan and reading it.
1. Make sure the pointer on the screen is indicating grams, or it is
measuring in the wrong units.
2. If it does not read zero after turning it on, wait for the reading to
stabilize, then press the “Tare” button to zero it.
3. All readings made by this balance must be reported to 2 decimal
places.
iii. Analytical Balance – a balance used
to determine the mass of an object
to a high degree of precision.

1. Readings made by this balance

must be reported to 4 decimal
places.

2. Because of its high degree of

precision, the pan is enclosed in a
chamber to eliminate the effect
of air currents in the room on the
reading.
iv. General rules
1. Always weigh objects on a piece of weighing paper, or in a disposable
weighing tray.
a. Place the piece of weighing paper on the balance.
i. If using the triple-beam balance, determine the mass of the
paper and record it in your data table.
ii. If using the electronic balance, when the reading is stable,
press tare.
b. Place the material to be massed on the paper or in the tray.
c. Record the reading of the balance.
d. Take your material off of the balance, clean anything left behind,
and reset the balance to zero for the next person.
2. Never place anything heavier than the capacity of the balance on the
pan.
3. Never weigh anything which is too hot to hold in your bare hands.