RUKIIDI INNOCENT KIIZA

19/U/1222

EXPERIMENT 2A

1. TITLE: EXPERIMENT SHOWING THE CALIBRATION OF VOLUMETRIC GLASS WARE.

2. AIM:
The experiment is objected to remind one the correct method and the use of volumetric glass
ware and to demonstrate how such glass ware may be used accurately.
3. ABSTRACT:
Before beginning the experiment all the apparatus that is pipette, burette and a measuring
cylinder should be clean.
For a burette, the experiment is aimed at determining how far an error can be minimized when
measuring the meniscus after water in it has settled that is has reached a steady temperature.
For a pipette, the experiment is aimed at comparing calibrations often allowing content in it that
is water to empty into a conical flask. Since a given portion of water would remain on the
bottom tip of the pipette.
Using a measuring cylinder, the experiment is aimed to investigate how far it can be used to
transfer an exact given volume of solution that is water from one container to another after
being measured.
4. INTRODUCTION:
Usually when draining the apparatus, a given solution may remain in or be taken out of the
container accidentally.
So the experiment is aimed at showing how clear calibrations should be taken in a critical way.
To use a pipette, first rinse it with the solution to be used and then fill it with the solution until
liquid is above the graduated mark by 1cm 3 then close the end of the pipette with the index
finger. Allow a given volume to move out until the lower meniscus just touches the graduated
mark. Then solution can be transferred into another container.
The duo method can be used on a measuring cylinder and a burette until the needed liquid that
is its meniscus touches the graduated mark but in this case, the finger option is not used as you
just drain the excess water beyond the graduated mark.
5. MATERIALS:
1 measuring cylinder, 100cm3
1 Burette, 50cm3
1 pipette, 10cm3
1 standard flask
Beaker
Conical flask
Thermometer
1 wash bottle
Rubber bands
Weighing scale

RUKIIDI INNOCENT KIIZA 19/U /1222 Page 1

 METHODS:
i) CALIBRATION OF 50cm3 BURETTE:
A filled 250cm3 beaker with distilled water was allowed to stand and attain a steady
temperature which was read and recorded.
The mass of an empty conical flask was weighed and noted using an analytical balance.
The burette was rinsed with two portions of distilled water and then the water in the beaker
was used to fill the burette and adjusted the meniscus to the first graduation.
After 30 seconds, the adhering liquid from the tip of the burette was wiped off using a piece of
filter paper. Then the initial level of the meniscus was recorded.
Water was run out of the burette until the meniscus was at 25cm 3 level.
The tip of the burette was touched with the inner side of the flask to remove adhering droplets
of water.
After 15 seconds, the final level of the meniscus was read and recorded.
The mass of the flask and its content was recorded and hence the mass of water delivered from
the burette was also noted.
ii) CALIBRATION OF 10cm3 PIPETTE:

The mass of an empty conical flask was measured and recorded using an analytical balance.

The pipette was filled with distilled water up to the graduated mark and the content allowed to
empty into the flask. The tip of the pipette was stroked against the side of the flask and then
withdrew the pipette.

The conical flask with its content was reweighed hence the mass of water determined and the
volume of water determined from

m
ρ=
v
Where ρ is the density of water

M is the mass

V is the volume

The procedures were repeated to compare calibrations.

iii) CALIBRATION OF 1OOcm3 MEASURING CYLINDER:

The mass of a clean conical flask was measured and noted. The measuring cylinder was used to
transfer 25cm3 of water to the flask hence the mass of the flask and its content was recorded.

Then the measuring cylinder was used to add further 40cm 3 of water to the flask and then the
new weight noted.

Total volume of water transferred was calculated using the expression.

m
ρ=
v
RUKIIDI INNOCENT KIIZA 19/U /1222 Page 2
 Repeated the procedures to compare calibrations.

6. RESULTS:
Temperature of water = 240
Density of water =0.99757gcm-3
i) CALIBRATION OF BURETTE:

RUN I II
Final burette reading(cm3) 25.00 25.00
Initial burette reading(cm3) 0.00 0.00
Volume of water delivered(cm3) 25.00 25.00

Average volume of water delivered= 25.00cm 3

RUN I II
Mass of water + flask(g) 148.381 149.365
Mass of flask(g) 124.044 124.914
Mass of water delivered(g) 24.337 24.451
Volume of water delivered(cm3) 24.386 24.511
3
Average volume of water delivered= 24.4485cm

ii) CALIBRATION OF PIPETTE:

RUN I II
Mass of flask+ water(g) 134.104 134.562
Mass of flask alone(g) 124.283 124.747
Mass of water delivered(g) 9.821 9.815
3
Volume delivered(cm ) 9.845 9.839
Average volume delivered= 9.842±0.04cm3

iii) CALIBRATION OF MEASURING CYLINDER:

RUN I II
Mass of flask+water(g) 145.535 148.378
Mass of empty flask(g) 124.441 124.446
Mass of water delivered(g) 21.094 23.932
Volume of water delivered(cm3) 21.145 23.99

RUKIIDI INNOCENT KIIZA 19/U /1222 Page 3

 7. DISCUSSION:
Initially, when using any glassware, a very smaller percentage of error in measurement may be
detected.
But as the flask is being emptied time and again, a given portion of water is remaining on the
sides of the flask and the next measurement becomes inaccurate with a given percentage of
error.
8. CONCLUSION:
All glassware have fault in terms of measurement and calibration.
9. SOURCES OF ERRORS:
Adhering water on the sides of the glassware.
Poor reading of the meniscus.
10. REFERENCE:

RUKIIDI INNOCENT KIIZA 19/U /1222 Page 4