Uncertainty in Lab Measurements and Reading Volumes
Purpose: To gain experience in measuring and recording length, mass, and volume using
the proper number of significant figures and correct units.
Discussion: All lab experiments fall under two broad types: qualitative and quantitative. In
the qualitative lab, changes are studied but the amounts of each substance are not critical to
the outcome of the lab. Quantitative labs depend on exact measurements of all substances and
variations in the quantities used in the lab change the outcome of the experiment.
Measurement is a very important part of the chemistry lab. The instruments used to measure
differ in their design, their cost, and in their accuracy. Instruments are never exact. The term
accuracy means how close the measurement is to the exact value. It should not be
confused with the term precision. Precision means how close a value can be repeated. A
student can be very precise, but still inaccurate with measurements.
Significant figures are those that are actually measured as well as one additional
estimate. The number of digits recorded in a specific measurement indicates the accuracy of
the particular instrument used. It is essential that the correct number of significant figures be
recorded with each instrument used so that a false impression of the accuracy is not implied in
the recorded measurement.
Data recorded in the lab has two parts: the significant figures and the unit for that
measurement. You have probably reviewed the Metric system units. The most common units
used in the lab depend on the equipment being used and are not necessarily the SI unit. They
are:
QUANTITY
Mass
Volume
Length
Temperature
UNIT
Gram
Milliliter
Centimeter
Celsius degrees
INSTRUMENT
Balance
Graduated cylinder, pipet
Meter stick, metric ruler
Thermometer
The SI unit for volume is the cubic decimeter, dm3, or liter. The lab equipment that is used
for measuring volume is marked off in milliliters, so that this unit is used in lab
measurements. Other equipment such as beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, are also marked off in
milliliters. These are approximate volumes and are not used to record accurate volumes.
In this lab various instruments will be used. These differ in their accuracy. You must read
and record each measurement with the proper number of significant figures and the correct
unit. The instrument with the greatest number of significant figures is the most
accurate. When making any measurements in the lab always use the instrument that gives the
greatest accuracy.
Pre-lab Assignment:
Answer the following pre-lab questions –
1. What is accuracy?
2. What is precision?
3. What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
4. What is uncertainty of a measurement?
5. How to determine the uncertainty of a measurement?
6. What are the two parts of every measurement?
7. In recording a measurement, is the first estimated digit considered significant?
8. A student records 38.976 as the mass of an object. What is wrong with this
measurement?
9. How to properly read a ruler, graduated cylinder?
DO NOT DISTURB THE POSITION OF ANY AMOUNT OF LIQUID AT ANY
STATION.
PART A: Uncertainty in Various Lab Equipment
1. Observe the 9 different instruments on the lab table. Record your measurements with
the correct number of sig figs, and indicate the number of sig figs in Table 1.
DATA:
Table 1: ____________________________________________________
INSTRUMENT
10 mL
Graduated Cylinder
25 mL
Graduated Cylinder
100 mL
Graduated Cylinder
250 mL Beaker
Thermometer
Electronic Balance
Meter stick
Metric ruler
MEASUREMENT
(specify the uncertainty for each of the tools)
# OF
SIG. FIGS.
PART B: Reading Volumes- a Sig Fig Activity
1. Go to the other side of the lab table.
2. Each of the different volume instruments contains 5.0 mL of water.
3. Using the information from PART A, fill in Table 2 below.
Table 2: ______________________________________________
INSTRUMENT
VOLUME (mL)
UNCERTAINTY
(mL)
# of SIG FIGS
100 mL Graduated Cylinder
25 mL Graduated Cylinder
10 mL Graduated Cylinder
100 mL Beaker
125 mL Erlenmeyer Flask
POST-LAB QUESTIONS:
1. A square of metal foil has a 6.00-cm side. Calculate the area of the foil and record your
answer in the correct number of sig figs.
2. Of all the instruments used in this lab to measure volume, which is:
a) least accurate. Explain.
b) most accurate. Explain.
3. If the actual mass of an object is 27.987 grams and you obtain the following data in lab,
how would you describe your results in terms of accuracy and precision?
27.120 g
27.122 g
27.119 g
4. Which graduated cylinder is the least accurate? Explain your choice.
5.
In Part B, are the measurements the same or different? What factors could account for the
difference, if any? Which “reading“ was more precise? More accurate? (Note: Do we
know the accuracy?)
6. If the volume of 5.0 mL of water was dispensed accurately into each type of volume
instrument, rank the different types of glassware in order from most accurate to least
accurate.
7.
If you were asked to measure 21.4 mL of water, which instrument would be chosen to
give the most accurate volume?
8. How many significant figures are in each of the following?
a) 0.00130 g ________________________
b) 27.0090 g ________________________
c) 50.0 mL __________________________
d) 1.000g ___________________________
9. The mass of an object is obtained on two types of balances. The values obtained are:
#1 108.9 g
#2 108.9270 g
What are the uncertainties of each balance? Which is the more accurate balance? Why?