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

7. Calculate the uncertainty in
CYLINDER MASSES. GEOMETRY 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
1. Obtain an aluminum 1. Measure the diameter in the computation. The true
cylinder from the and length of each density of aluminum is
reagent tray. cylinder using a ruler, 2.700 g/cm³.
Record the values to the
nearest 0.05 cm (each
measurement is ±0.05
cm).
 3. Calibrate your pycnometer. How well can
you adjust the water's meniscus to the top of
CHEM-LAB EXPERIMENT 1 the line drawn? Precise filling to that mark
increases reproducibility (and data quality).

THE PROCEDURE
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.
2. Carefully slide the water makes a negligible
metal cylinder down b. Record the mass of the flask and water.
contribution to the overall No drops should appear on the neck of the
the side of the uncertainty in the values flask above the water line.
graduated cylinder into 4. Determine the volume of the metal
calculated.
the water. Tossing it in cylinder by subtraction. Calculate the c. Pour out the water into your 400-ml
can break the bottom of uncertainty in your volume using error beaker; refill to the mark; reweigh.
the graduated cylinder. 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.

PART 2: VOLUME BY
DISPLACEMENT

2. Make your pycnometer.

1. Put enough water to a. Draw a ring midway up the neck of
3. With the metal cylinder
cover the metal cylinder into a 100 mL Erlenmeyer flask with a
completely submerged, 5. Determine the density of the waterproof marker shown below.
a 50-ml graduated cylinder
record the new volume cylinder. Calculate the uncertainty
and record the volume. The b. invert the flask on the table; hold
reading to ±0.5 mL. using error propagation. marker on top of something solid;
graduated cylinder is not and, rotate the flask while marking
very precise, readings will the neck at a constant height.

be ±0.5 ml (the digit in the

tenths place will either be a
5 or 0).
 CHEM-LAB EXPERIMENT 1

THE PROCEDURE

PART 3: VOLUME BY a. Carefully insert a metal d. Calculate the mass of the e. Calculate the uncertainty in
PYCNOMETRY cylinder, fill with water to the water removed. Convert this the mass of water removed
mark, and record the mass mass to volume by dividing by using error propagation.
(the flask with water and the density of water (use Convert this mass to volume
4. Indirectly measure the mass cylinder). Table 1 for the precise value units by dividing by the
of water displaced by your of the density of water specific density of water (use Table 1
solid cylinders. The b. Repeat filling and weighing to the water's temperature). for the precise value of the
pycnometer containing the several times until the data This volume equals the density of water specific to
metal cylinder with water appears reproducible. volume of the metal cylinder. the water's temperature). This
filled to the mark is called 'B'. value equals the uncertainty in
c. Determine the average my the volume of the metal
and its standard deviation cylinder.
(oms). The standard deviation
can be computed from your
calculators in standard
deviation (SD) mode.
 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.