UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

Department of Chemistry

One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions – Rear Admiral Grace Hopper

CHM 1103 Laboratory Exercise #2 – Introduction to Measurement

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SURNAME, First Name(s) USI

Description

Scientists are required to take measurements while conducting experiments. The reliability of the
results obtained is dependent on the accuracy of the measurements taken. A measurement may
only be as accurate as the measuring instrument used. Each measuring instrument offers a degree
of “uncertainty” in the readings that it supplies. The greater the degree of uncertainty, the less
accurate is the measurement. Manufacturers of instruments quite often state the uncertainty, also
referred to as the tolerance/accuracy, on the instrument. In cases where the accuracy is not stated,
the experimenter can manually determine it by using the guideline shown below:
uncertainty = ± ½ value of the smallest graduation
A sound experimental design will contain repeated measurements (taken the same way) for
confirmation purposes. Such measurements are known as replicates. The closeness of replicate
measurements to each other is known as “precision”. Please note that accuracy and precision do
not mean the same thing although they are quite often incorrectly used interchangeably.
Notwithstanding this, an experiment done by a meticulous experimenter using a superior
instrument is likely to yield results which are both accurate and precise.

Goals for the Experiment/Activity

This activity will allow students to
 familiarise themselves with some common, measuring instruments
 record measurements and uncertainties to the correct number of significant figures
 compare the accuracy and precision of measurements

Safety Precautions
Students should note that in an actual laboratory it is always mandatory to wear chemical splash
goggles when working with glassware, heat, or chemicals.

The technique illustrated below is employed to make accurate, consistent readings.

When water (or an aqueous solution is

contained in a narrow glass container
such as a graduated cylinder, the liquid
surface is not flat, rather the liquid
surface is curved. This curved surface is
called a meniscus. For accurate
measurement, read directly across from
the liquid’s surface and read the bottom
of the meniscus. The liquid to the right of
the image has a volume of 43.0 mL and
not 43.5 mL as given by the top of the
meniscus.
Part A. Obtaining familiarity with some common measuring instruments
This exercise allows students to obtain some familiarity with common measuring instruments
used in the laboratory. For each of the instruments shown on the left, insert their names and
functions (brief descriptions of the types of measurements they are used for) .

Instrument Name of instrument Function of instrument

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Part B. Practice reading measuring instruments
This exercise allows students to gain practice reading measuring instruments. Look at the
videos shared for this lab exercise and then record the measurement ± uncertainty shown
on the images to the appropriate number of significant figures and with the correct units.
(Note: volume instruments shown measure in cm3)

Reading ___________________________ Reading ___________________________

Reading ___________________________ Reading ___________________________

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Part C. Accuracy and precision
This exercise allows students to assess the accuracy and precision of replicate measurements.
Three students used similar measuring cylinders to measure 50 cm 3 of water. Each student
was asked to do 3 separate measurements (trials). The lab instructor then poured the
measured volumes into a burette and recorded the volumes obtained. Table 1 shows the
results of this experiment. Use the data in table 1 to answer the questions that follow.

Data Table 1. Volume Measurements of 50 cm3 of water for 3 students

Trial 1 (cm3) Trial 2 (cm3) Trial 3 (cm3)

Student A 50.05 50.05 50.10

Student B 49.95 50.00 50.05

Student C 49.95 50.05 49.90

1. Which student has the most accurate measurements? Provide a reason for your choice.
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2. Which student has the most precise readings? Provide a reason for your choice.
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3. If you were a laboratory manager and you were asked to hire one of the students
based on their competencies displayed in the experiment above. Which student
would you hire? Provide a reason for your choice.
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