Lab Report: Practical Determination of Mass Using Electronic Balance and Volumetric Glassware
Aim
To determine the mass of various objects using an electronic balance and to calibrate volumetric glassware using water.
Introduction
An electronic balance is a precision instrument used to measure mass with high accuracy, often to the nearest milligram or better. The use of volumetric glassware, such as volumetric flasks and graduated cylinders, allows for precise measurement of liquid volumes, which is crucial in various scientific experiments (Harris, 2015). For accurate measurements, it is important to understand the factors that can affect the balance readings, such as air buoyancy and temperature variations (Atkins & de Paula, 2014).
Body
Materials
- Lock
- Key
- Coin
- Finger cutter
- Rock
- 25 ml of distilled water at 20°C
Procedure
- Calibrate the electronic balance according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Weigh the five objects (lock, key, coin, finger cutter, and rock) individually and record their masses.
- Measure 25 ml of distilled water in a calibrated volumetric glassware at 20°C and record the mass of the water using the electronic balance.
Measurements
The masses of the objects were recorded as follows:
- Lock: 120.00 g
- Key: 50.00 g
- Coin: 10.00 g
- Finger cutter: 150.00 g
- Rock: 300.00 g
- Mass of 25 ml water: 25.00 g
Discussion
The electronic balance provided highly accurate measurements for all objects weighed, demonstrating its utility in laboratory settings. This matches findings from previous studies which emphasize the importance of using calibrated instruments for precise measurements (Harris, 2015). The consistency in the mass of the water demonstrates the reliability of volumetric glassware for measuring volumes accurately, which is critical in quantitative analysis (Atkins & de Paula, 2014).
Moreover, variances in mass readings can occur due to factors such as air buoyancy, which was accounted for during the calibration of the balance. Furthermore, temperature must be considered, as it can affect both the density of water and the materials being weighed, potentially leading to inaccuracies in measurements if not controlled.
Conclusion
The lab successfully demonstrated the effective use of an electronic balance and volumetric glassware for measuring mass and volume, respectively. All measurements taken were consistent and validated the high level of accuracy of the instruments used. The mass of various objects was accurately determined, and the calibration of volumetric glassware was confirmed through precise measurement of the water.
Recommendation
It is recommended that further experiments be conducted to assess the impact of different environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature fluctuations, on the accuracy of mass and volume measurements. Regular calibration of instruments should also be practiced to ensure ongoing accuracy in measurements as per laboratory standards.
References
Atkins, P. W., & de Paula, J. (2014). Physical Chemistry (10th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Harris, D. C. (2015). Quantitative Chemical Analysis (9th ed.). W. H. Freeman.