INTRODUCTION TO THE

TOOLS OF THE
CHEMISTRY LAB

LAB 2 PART A
Reading a Meniscus
Meniscus and Parallax
Significant Figures:
Graduated Glassware
1. Look at the glassware.
2. Find the smallest graduation.
3. Report your volume to the closest 10% of the
smallest graduation.

(Outside lab, use the graduations indicated in the Tolerance Table.)

Reading Graduated Glassware (1 of 3)
Reading Graduated Glassware (2 of 3)
Reading Graduated Glassware (3 of 3)
Smallest Graduation
• A. Calculate major graduation – major graduation

• B. Determine the number of spaces between two

major graduations

• Smallest Graduation = A / B
Reading Beakers (1 of 2)

What volume should be reported?

Reading Beakers (2 of 2)

• Smallest graduation: 10 mL
• 10% value: 1 mL
• Volume to the closest 10% of the SG:
48 mL
Reading Graduated Cylinders (1 of 6)

What volume should be reported?

Reading Graduated Cylinders (2 of 6)

• Smallest graduation: 1 mL
• 10% value: 0.1 mL
• Volume to the closest 10% of the SG:
52.8 mL
Reading Graduated Cylinders (3 of 6)

What volume should be reported?

Reading Graduated Cylinders (4 of 6)

• Smallest graduation: 0.5 mL

• 10% value: 0.05 mL
• Volume to the closest 10% of the SG:
11.50 mL
Reading Graduated Cylinders (5 of 6)

What volume should be reported?

Reading Graduated Cylinders (6 of 6)

• Smallest graduation: 0.2 mL

• 10% value: 0.02 mL
• Volume to the closest 10% of the SG: 6.62
mL