Measuring Procedures
LENGTH:
Basic Unit: Meters (m)
How To:
1) Place ruler/meter stick firmly against the object you are measuring
2) Align one edge of the object exactly with the zero
3) Record the length by looking at the other edge of the object to see which of the marks
on the ruler is closest to the object’s edge
VOLUME:
Basic Unit: Liters (L)
How To:
1) Place graduated cylinder on a flat, level surface
2) Move your head so that your eye is level with the bottom of the meniscus (curved water
surface)
3) Example:
READ HERE
MASS:
Basic Unit: Grams (g)
How To: The Triple Beam Balance
1) Place on a level surface and place all countermasses at zero
2) Place the objects you wish to measure on the pan, any powders or liquids need to be
measured in a container
4) Move the largest measuring countermass first, to the right until it is at the last notch that
does not tip the balance
5) Move the next largest countermass, then the smallest countermass until the pointer
rests at zero.
6) Add the reading from the 3 beams together to determine the mass of the object
7) When determining the mass of a substance in a container: Find the mass of the
container alone first and record, then add the powder or liquid/record the mass.
Subtract the mass of the container alone from the mass of the container and
powder/liquid, this is the mass of the liquid or powder.
Example: container 24 g
Container and liquid: 57 g
Mass of the Liquid: container & liquid (57g) – container (24g) = 33g
How To: Electronic Balances
1) Place the objects you wish to measure on the pan, any powders or liquids need to be
measured in a container
2) Read the measurement off of the digital Screen
3) When determining the mass of a substance in a container Zero or Tare the scale with
the empty container on it and then add the substance.
TEMPERATURE:
Basic Unit: Celsius (ْ C)
How To:
1) Place the thermometer carefully into the beaker, let the thermometer sit in the beaker
for a few minutes or until you see no change in the reading for a minute
2) Stand the thermometer up when you are ready to read it, read the red line at eye level
3) Wait 1 minute and repeat measurement. Keep repeating until you get two
measurements that are the same.
NAME:________________
Date:___________
Measuring Lab:
Group:______________
Overview:
Today we are going to review how to use the measuring equipment, on each of your
desk there is measuring equipment, DO NOT TOUCH it until you are told to do so.
We are going to be measuring length, volume, temperature, and mass today. Be
sure to include the correct units with your measurements.
Materials:
Graduated Cylinder
Meter Stick
Triple Beam Balance
Electronic Scale
Thermometer
Procedure:
1) Measure the length and width of the dictionary.
Length:_____________________ Width:______________________
Write the step by step procedure you used below:
2) Measure the volume of water in the graduated cylinder.
Volume of water:____________________
Write the step by step procedure you used below:
3) Measure the mass of just the birdseed (not the cup) using a triple beam balance.
Mass of birdseed:_______________________
Write the step by step procedure you used below:
4) Measure the mass of just the birdseed (not the cup) using an electronic balance.
Mass of birdseed:________________________
Write the step by step procedure you used below:
5) Using the procedures for measuring temperature, measure the temperature of
the water in the beaker.
Temperature of the water:__________________
Write the step by step procedure you used below:
6) Which is more accurate at measuring the volume of a liquid: a graduated
cylinder or a beaker? Why?