RAINBOW LAB
(Measuring Volume)
Name ______________________________________
Period _____ Date _________ Seat _______
Objectives:




to develop skills measuring chemicals with a graduated cylinder.
to practice using the metric system.
to test precision and ability to follow directions.
to practice lab safety procedures.
Equipment:
25 mL graduated cylinder
10 mL graduated cylinder
3 Dixie cups with red, yellow, and blue water.
250 mL beaker (2)
test tubes (6)
test tube rack
Pipette
Procedure:
Part 1 :
1. Label 6 test tubes in order : A, B, C, D, E & F.
2. Fill a beaker half full with water. Use this to rinse your graduated cylinder
and test tubes.
3. The second beaker is for contaminated waste water.
4. Into test tube A, measure 25 mL of RED liquid.
5. Into test tube C, measure 17 mL of YELLOW liquid.
6. Into test tube E, measure 21 mL of BLUE liquid.
Part 2 :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
From test tube C, measure 4 mL and pour into test tube D.
From test tube E, measure 7 mL and pour into test tube D. Swirl.
From test tube E, measure 4 mL and pour into test tube F.
From test tube A, measure 7 mL and pour into test tube F. Swirl.
From test tube A, measure 8 mL and pour into test tube B.
From test tube C, measure 3 mL and pour into test tube B. Swirl.
In the data table 1, record the colors made in each test tube.
In the data table 1, record how many mL were found in each test tube.
Answer questions.
Name ______________________________________
RAINBOW LAB
Period _____ Date _________ Seat _______
(Measuring Volume)
Data / Analysis / Results
Table 1: Test Tube Results
Test Tube
Color of Liquid
Amount of
Liquid (mL)
A
B
C
D
E
F
Total ending volume Test Tubes A-F
mL
1. In data table 2, write down how many milliliters of liquid were in each test tube at
the start of this lab?
Table 2: Starting Amounts
Starting volume (mL) in each test tube
A
B
C
D
E
F
Total starting volume
mL
2. How does the total starting volume in data table 2 compare to the total ending volume
in data table 1? If they are not the same, what are some reasons why you may have
more or less than when you started?
3. What is the precision of the graduated cylinders used in this lab?
10-mL graduated cylinder = ___________ mL
25-mL graduated cylinder = ___________ mL
The precision of an instrument is
the smallest increment or division
on the instrument’s scale.
4. Use the formula below to calculate the percent error in your measurements.
Percent error =
Ending Volume – Starting Volume
Starting Volume
X 100
How did you do? In standard scientific measurements, a percent error under 5% is acceptable.
In a high school laboratory, conditions are not as ideal as we might like them, and anything less
than 10% is fine. Anything over 20% is iffy, and anything over 30% is a redo.