Lab Equipment Overview
Triple Beam Balance
Graduated Cylinder
Ruler (metric)
Ruler (standard)
Meter Stick
Spring Scale
Thermometer
Triple Beam Balance
(Overview)
• Used to measure mass
• Unit of measure: gram (g)
Pan
Balance/Zero
Mark
Zero
Adjustment
Knob
(below pan)
3 Riders/Movable Masses
(top-down = tens, hundreds, ones)
Triple Beam Balance
(How to Use)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Place the balance on a flat, level surface.
Move all riders to the left (zero).
Determine if the pointer is at the zero mark. If at the zero mark
move to step five – if not at the zero mark, complete step four. This
should be done at eye level.
Turn the zero adjustment knob counter-clockwise (up) to have the
pointer move upward or turn the knob clockwise (down) to have the
pointer move downward – this knob should be adjusted until the
pointer is at the zero mark.
Place the object on the pan.
Move the largest rider (hundreds) to the right until the pointer falls
below zero – you should feel the rider click as it moves along. The
rider must be “clicked” into place in order to get accurate
measurements. You should move the rider one notch back after the
pointer falls below zero.
Repeat step six with the tens rider.
Move the ones rider to the right until the pointer is at the zero
mark.
Determine the object’s mass, in grams, by totaling the numerical
values highlighted by the hundreds, tens, and ones riders.
Triple Beam Balance
(Example)
•
What is the mass of the object being
measured by the triple beam balance if the
sliders/movable masses have the shown
positions?
30 g (tens)
0 g (hundreds)
+ 2 g (ones)
32 g
Graduated Cylinder
(Overview)
•
•
•
•
•
Used to measure volume
Unit of measure: milliliter (mL)
Come in a variety of sizes
Value of graduated markings,
or lines, change as the size
of the graduate changes
Using the smallest
possible graduated
cylinder typically results
in more accurate
measurements
Each of these lines represent
graduated markings
Graduated Cylinder
(Graduated Markings)
•
•
To accurately determine volume when using a
graduated cylinder, it is important to figure out
the value of each graduated marking
What is
This can be done by
the value
identifying the difference of each
line?
between two consecutive,
printed numbers on the
graduate
and then dividing
that by the
number of
lines between
them.
In this case, the difference between 80 and 70 mL is 10 mL. If I then count the number of lines (not including the first
one) between those two numbers I get 10 lines. If I divide the 10 mL by the 10 lines you should get 1 mL per line.
Graduated Cylinder
(Meniscus)
•
The meniscus is the curved line that the
liquid makes inside of the graduated cylinder
as a result of the adhesion and cohesion
properties of the liquid
Meniscus
If each graduated
marking has a value of 1
mL, what would be the
volume of the liquid if
you read the graduated
cylinder from the bottom
of the meniscus?
For this example, the volume of the liquid
would be 62 mL since the bottom of the
meniscus falls on the 62 mL mark.
Graduated Cylinder
(How to Use - Liquids)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Select the smallest possible graduated cylinder that
can accommodate the amount of liquid you will be
measuring.
Determine the value of each graduated marking, or
line, found on the graduated cylinder – knowing this
will help you determine the volume.
Place the graduated cylinder on a flat, level surface.
Carefully pour the liquid into the graduated cylinder
without spilling any.
Measure the level of the water by looking at the
bottom of the meniscus. This should be done at eye
level.
Graduated Cylinder
(Example)
•
What is the volume of the liquid in the
graduated cylinder?
Meniscus
Since each graduated
marking is equivalent to 1
mL, the volume of the
liquid in the graduated
cylinder is 48 mL
Graduated Cylinder
(Water Displacement - Overview)
•
•
Water displacement is a process by which a
graduated cylinder is used to determine the volume
of a solid object, particularly one that is irregularly
shaped.
The volume is calculated by observing the amount of
water displaced by the submerged object.
Initial Volume (water)
Final Volume (water + rock)
Meniscus
Notice how the
water level rose
after the object
was placed in.
This rise of the
water helps you
figure out the
object’s volume.
Graduated Cylinder
(How to Use – Water Displacement)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Select the smallest possible graduated cylinder that can accommodate
the object you will be measuring.
Determine the value of each graduated marking, or line, found on the
graduated cylinder – knowing this will help you determine the volume.
Fill the graduated cylinder with enough water to adequately submerge
the irregularly shaped object you will be measuring. However, do not fill
it so much that water will rise past the graduated cylinder’s graduations
when placing the irregularly shaped object in.
Place the graduated cylinder on a flat, level surface.
Measure the level of the water by looking at the bottom of the meniscus
and record the volume (initial). This should be done at eye level.
Carefully place the irregularly shaped object into the graduated cylinder.
This can be done by angling the graduated cylinder and allowing the
object to gently slide down the side into the water.
Measure the new level of the water by looking at the bottom of the
meniscus and record the volume (final). This should be done at eye
level.
Calculate the volume of the irregularly shaped object by subtracting the
initial volume (measured in step five) from the final volume (measured in
step seven).
Graduated Cylinder
(Water Displacement - Example)
•
What is the volume of the rock in the
graduated cylinder?
Initial Volume (water)
Final Volume (water + rock)
Meniscus
28 mL
38 mL
38 mL (final volume)
- 28 mL (initial volume)
10 mL
Ruler (metric)
(Overview)
• Used to measure length/distance
• Units of measure: centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm)
• Markings
– Each small (unnumbered) line is a millimeter division
– Each long line followed by a number is a centimeter division
– 10 millimeters in a centimeter
1 mm
1 cm
Important – this is only a portion of a ruler
Ruler
(How to Use)
1.
Choose an object to measure and place it on
a flat surface.
2. Align the ruler to the side of the object
with the beginning of the object at the zero
mark. Be careful, some rulers have the zero
mark at the starting edge and some have a
zero mark slightly indented.
3. Locate the opposite edge of the object and
read the last number on the ruler where the
object ends.
Ruler (metric)
(Example)
•
What is the length (millimeters and
centimeters) of the object below?
37 mm
3.7 cm
What is the relationship between your two answers?
Ruler (standard)
(Overview)
• Used to measure length/distance
• Units of measure: inches (in), feet (ft)
• Markings
–
–
–
–
–
The smallest lines show divisions of 1/16th inch
The small lines show divisions of 1/8th inch
The medium lines show divisions of ¼ inch
The long lines show divisions of ½ inch
The long lines followed by a number
show divisions of 1 inch
1/16th
1/8th
1/4
1
1/2
Important – this is only a portion of a ruler
Ruler (standard)
(Dissection)
Parts of an inch
16 Sixteenths
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
9
10
11 12 13 14 15 16
8 Eighths
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4 Fourths
1
2
3
4
2 – Halves
1
Combining
Each Part
1/2”
1/4”
1/8”
1/16”
2
3/16”
3/8”
5/16”
5/8”
7/16”
9/16”
3/4”
11/16”
1”
7/8”
13/16”
15/16”
Ruler
(How to Use)
1.
Choose an object to measure and place it on
a flat surface.
2. Align the ruler to the side of the object
with the beginning of the object at the zero
mark. Be careful, some rulers have the zero
mark at the starting edge and some have a
zero mark slightly indented.
3. Locate the opposite edge of the object and
read the last number on the ruler where the
object ends.
Ruler (standard)
(Example)
•
What is the length (inches) of the object
below? Round to the nearest 1/16th of an
inch.
1 7/16 inches
Meter Stick
(Overview)
• Used to measure length/distance
• Units of measure: meter (m), centimeter (cm),
millimeter (mm)
How many millimeters are in a meter?
• Markings
–
–
–
–
Each small (unnumbered) line is a millimeter division
Each long line followed by a number is a centimeter division
10 millimeters in a centimeter
1 mm 1 cm
100 centimeters in a meter
Important – this is only a portion of a meter stick
Meter Stick
(How to Use)
1.
Choose an object to measure and place it on
a flat surface.
2. Align the meter stick to the side of the
object with the beginning of the object at
the zero mark. Be careful, some meter
sticks have the zero mark at the starting
edge and some have a zero mark slightly
indented.
3. Locate the opposite edge of the object and
read the last number on the meter stick
where the object ends.
Meter Stick
(Example)
•
What is the length (in meters, centimeters,
and millimeters) of the object below?
0.246 m
24.6 cm
246 mm
Tubular Spring Scale
(Overview)
•
•
•
•
Used to measure weight
Units of measure: newton (N), gram (g)
Dependent on gravity
Come in a variety of
Adjustment
measurement capabilities
Nut
(100g/1 N – 10,000g/100 N) usually indicated by different
colors for tubular scales
Pointer
• Value of graduated markings,
Graduated
or lines, vary with the spring
Markings
scale’s capacity
• Using a spring scale with the
smallest possible capacity typically
results in more accurate measurements
Ring
Spring
Hook
Tubular Spring Scale
(How to Use)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Select a spring scale with the smallest possible capacity that can
accommodate, or measure, the weight of your object.
Determine what scale you will be using (newtons or grams).
Similar to when using a graduated cylinder, determine the value
of each graduated marking, or line, found on the spring scale –
knowing this will help you determine the weight.
Hang the ring of the spring scale on a sturdy object such as a
ring stand (with clamp) if possible.
Determine if the pointer is at the zero mark. If at the zero
mark move to step seven – if not at the zero mark, complete step
six. This should be done at eye level.
Zero the spring scale by turning the adjustment nut at the top
clockwise to raise the pointer and counter-clockwise to lower the
pointer – the nut should be adjusted until the pointer is at the
zero mark.
Carefully hang the object on the hook.
Measure the object’s weight by reading where the pointer falls
on the scale. This should be done at eye level.
Tubular Spring Scale
(Example)
•
What weight (in newtons) is being displayed
by the spring scale?
Since each graduated
marking is equivalent to
0.5 N, the weight being
displayed by the spring
scale is 6 N.
Thermometer
(Overview)
• Used to measure temperature
• Units of measure: Celsius (0C),
Fahrenheit (0F), Kelvin (K)
• Relies on the expansion and
contraction property of fluids
– this is why the fluid (alcohol)
rises as the temperature goes
up and falls as the temperature
goes down
• Celsius and Fahrenheit scales
meet at – 40 degrees
• Relationships between scales:
– 0C = 5/9 (0F – 32)
– 0F = 9/5 0C + 32
– K = 0C +273
Thermometer
(How to Use)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Determine what scale you will be using (Fahrenheit or
Celsius).
Similar to when using a graduated cylinder or spring scale,
determine the value of each graduated marking, or line,
found on the thermometer – knowing this will help you
determine the temperature.
Set up a ring stand with clamp on a flat surface.
Carefully tighten the thermometer into the clamp.
Place the object/substance to be measured on the base of
the ring stand.
Lower the thermometer into the object/substance. Be
sure to not allow the bulb of the thermometer to sit on or
touch the container holding the object/substance.
Measure the temperature of the object/substance by
reading where the top of the red liquid (alcohol) aligns with
the appropriate scale. This should be done at eye level.
Thermometer
(Example)
•
What is the temperature (in degrees
Fahrenheit and Celsius) being displayed by
the thermometer below?
74 0F
23 0C
0F
0C