Experiment # 2: Measurement of Length and Mass
Amber Franklin
Partners: Sadie and Caitlyn
March 17, 2020
CHM 100L
Instructor: Jennifer Stepp
Data
Table 1. Part A: Dimensions of a sheet of paper
Height
Width
Area
11.0 in.
8.5 in.
93.5 in.2
27.91 cm
21.59 cm
602.6 cm2
279.1 mm
215.9 mm
6.1 x10 -4
0.2791m
0.2159 m
0.0626mm2
Table 2: Mass of Object (Quarter) -Student 1
Measurement of Mass
Student 1
Direct
Empty Beaker
Beaker and Object
Difference
Single-Pan Triple Beam
Balance (.001 g)
5.587 g
50.041 g
55.079 g
5.03 g
Electronic Top Loader
5.71 g
60.25 g
65.95 g
5.7 g
Table 3: Mass of Object (Quarter)- Student 2
Measurement of Mass
Student 2
Direct
Empty Beaker
Beaker and Object
Difference
Single-Pan Triple Beam
Balance (.001 g)
5.592 g
50.043 g
55.688 g
5.645 g
Electronic Top Loader
5.72 g
60.25 g
65.96 g
5.71 g
Table 4: Mass of Object (Quarter)- Student 3
Measurement of Mass
Student 3
Direct
Empty Beaker
Beaker and Object
Difference
Single-Pan Triple Beam
Balance (.001 g)
5.6152 g
50.091 g
55.591 g
5.5 g
Electronic Top Loader
5.71 g
60.25 g
65.96 g
5.71 g
Results
Results of area of paper in Part A and for the mass of the object in Part B are in the data tables
above. The following table includes the calibration errors calculated for each balance.
Table 5: Part B: Calibration Error Results
Student
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Single-Pan Triple Beam
Balance (.001 g)
0.552 g
-0.053 g
0.115 g
Electronic Top Loader
(0.01 g)
0.01 g
0.01 g
0
Discussion
The centimeter is the metric unit of measurement used to measure the length of an object. The
centimeter side of the ruler was more precise as it gives measurements to the hundredths place.
The triple beam balance gave a more precise reading than the electronic balance because it gives
measurements to the thousandths place. The electronic balance had a relatively larger calibration
error. According the data the triple beam calibration errors were smaller than the electronic top
loader. Therefore, the triple beam appears to be more accurate.
The conclusion of this experiment illustrated that using a triple beam balance to mass objects or
samples by differences will provide much more precise and accurate measurements. In an effort
to decrease calibration errors while using the triple beam balance on future lab experiments, the
lines must be properly aligned before conducting mass measurements.