CHEM-LAB EXPERIMENT 1

THE PROCEDURE
2. Measure the diameter and
2. Record the mass of length of each cylinder using
the cylinder on the either the plastic Vernier calipers
electronic balance to or the digital Vernier caliper. For
the 0.01 g (the the plastic Vernier caliper, record 6. The uncertainty in the volume must be
uncertainties in your the values to the 0.002 cm (each determined by error propagation. Mass,
cylinders’ masses are measurement is ±0.002 cm). For length, and diameter measurements
the digital Vernier caliper; record
4. Determine the
±0.01g). You will use contribute to the overall uncertainty.
the values to the 0.001 cm (each density of the cylinder.
this mass throughout
the experiment. measurement is ±0.001 cm)

MEASURE METAL PART 1: VOLUME BY

CYLINDER MASSES.
1. Obtain an aluminum
cylinder from the
reagent tray.
GEOMETRY
1. Measure the diameter
and length of each
cylinder using a ruler,
Record the values to the
nearest 0.05 cm (each
measurement is ±0.05
cm).
7. Calculate the uncertainty in
3. Calculate the volume 5. Calculate the average the density measurement (op)
using the formula: density obtained from two using the formula:
trials. Calculate the % error
in the computation. The true
density of aluminum is
2.700 g/cm³.

CHEM-LAB EXPERIMENT 1
THE PROCEDURE
2. Carefully slide the
metal cylinder down
the side of the
graduated cylinder into
the water. Tossing it in
can break the bottom of
the graduated cylinder.
PART 2: VOLUME BY
DISPLACEMENT
1. Put enough water to
3. With the metal cylinder
cover the metal cylinder into
completely submerged,
a 50-ml graduated cylinder
record the new volume
and record the volume. The
reading to ±0.5 mL.
graduated cylinder is not
very precise, readings will
be ±0.5 ml (the digit in the
tenths place will either be a
5 or 0).
3. Calibrate your pycnometer. How well can
you adjust the water's meniscus to the top of
the line drawn? Precise filling to that mark
increases reproducibility (and data quality).
1. Fill a 400 ml beaker with
Practice with the pycnometer before making
water and measure its
measurements.
temperature using a digital
thermometer. Use this water a. use a medicine dropper to add and
throughout the experiment. remove drops of water to adjust the
Assume that the density of meniscus to the top of the line.
water makes a negligible
b. Record the mass of the flask and water.
contribution to the overall No drops should appear on the neck of the
uncertainty in the values flask above the water line.
4. Determine the volume of the metal
calculated.
cylinder by subtraction. Calculate the c. Pour out the water into your 400-ml
uncertainty in your volume using error beaker; refill to the mark; reweigh.
propagation.
PART 3: VOLUME BY d. Repeat step c until you have three similar
values for the mass of 'A'.
PYCNOMETRY
e. Determine the average mA and its
standard deviation (omA). The standard
deviation, oms, reflects your ability to
reproducibly fill the pycnometer to the
same place every time you use it; oms is
the uncertainty of the pycnometer and
should be read with the average mass of
'A'. The standard deviation can be
computed from your calculators in
standard deviation (SD) mode.
2. Make your pycnometer.
a. Draw a ring midway up the neck of
a 100 mL Erlenmeyer flask with a
5. Determine the density of the waterproof marker shown below.
cylinder. Calculate the uncertainty
b. invert the flask on the table; hold
using error propagation. marker on top of something solid;
and, rotate the flask while marking
the neck at a constant height.

PART 3: VOLUME BY
PYCNOMETRY
4. Indirectly measure the mass
of water displaced by your
solid cylinders. The
pycnometer containing the
metal cylinder with water
filled to the mark is called 'B'.
CHEM-LAB EXPERIMENT 1
THE PROCEDURE
a. Carefully insert a metal
cylinder, fill with water to the
mark, and record the mass
(the flask with water and
cylinder).
b. Repeat filling and weighing
several times until the data
appears reproducible.
c. Determine the average my
and its standard deviation
(oms). The standard deviation
can be computed from your
calculators in standard
deviation (SD) mode.
d. Calculate the mass of the
water removed. Convert this
mass to volume by dividing by
the density of water (use
Table 1 for the precise value
of the density of water specific
to the water's temperature).
This volume equals the
volume of the metal cylinder.
e. Calculate the uncertainty in
the mass of water removed
using error propagation.
Convert this mass to volume
units by dividing by the
density of water (use Table 1
for the precise value of the
density of water specific to
the water's temperature). This
value equals the uncertainty in
the volume of the metal
cylinder.
 CHEM-LAB EXPERIMENT 1

THE PROCEDURE
6. The uncertainty in the density can be
determined. Determine the density of
each cylinder. Include the uncertainties.

PART 3: VOLUME BY
PYCNOMETRY

7. Return the aluminum cylinder to the

5. The density of water at room temperature reagent tray.
is known quite precisely and is assumed to
contribute negligible error, so dividing
omwater by the density of water to give oV
water is adequate.