BASIC LABORATORY TECHNIQUES AND OPERATIONS

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this experiment is to familiarize ourselves with the tools and equipment inside the
laboratory. The experiment trained us the basic skills in the proper handling chemicals and equipment,
as well as the basic ways of measurement that we must know, such as getting the mass, volume,
density, and temperature of an object. For computing the density, we used the geometric measurement
method and the water displacement method. We also compared the theoretical and actual values of the
density of the metal ball. We computed for the equivalent temperatures of the water in Celsius,
Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

INTRODUCTION

Mass is defined as a measurement of the amount of matter in an object. It is determined by weighing,

while volume and density is determined by using the following formulas:

Volume = length x width x height

Volume (cylinder) = pi x r^2 x height

Volume (sphere) = pi/6(D^3)

Volume (water displacement) = final volume – initial volume

Density = mass/volume

There are three temperature scales: Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales
are more commonly used, while the Kelvin scale is the absolute temperature scale because the zero on
the Kelvin scale is the lowest temperature that can be attained theoretically. The following formulas are
used to convert from one scale to another (Chang and Goldsby, 2014)

Celsius = 5/9(F-32)

Fahrenheit = 9/5(C) + 32

Kelvin = C + 273.15

We also computed for the average density and the percentage error.

Average density = total mass/total volume

Percent error = (theoretical value-actual value)/theoretical value x 100

OBJECTIVES

 Be able to handle and use chemicals and laboratory equipment properly

 Be able to compute the mass, length, volume, and temperature of a given object with accuracy
 Be able to present the data accurately, observing the rules of significant figures
  Be able to convert a unit to another unit properly (e.g. Celsius to Fahrenheit)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Equipment:

-Bunsen burner

-test tube

-test tube holder

-water

-triple beam balance

-heating pad

-Vernier calliper

-graduated cylinder

-beaker

-thermometer

-metal ball

Procedure:

1. Prepare the Bunsen burner. Place 5 mL water in a test tube and heat it over the flame. Record
the time it takes to boil. Close the air holes and do the same. Observe the changes in the color of
the flame.
2. Get a sample of a rectangular object. Measure its length, width, and height. Compute for its
volume.
3. Get a sample of a cylindrical object. Measure its height. Measure its diameter using a Vernier
Calliper.
4. Weigh an empty 250 mL beaker using a triple beam balance. Using a 100 mL graduated cylinder,
measure 50 mL of water, and place it in the beaker. Weigh the beaker. Calculate the mass and
density of the water. Make two trials. Compute the average density and the percentage error.
5. Measure the diameter of the metal ball using the Vernier Calliper. Weigh it using the triple beam
balance. Calculate its volume and density.
6. Pour 50 mL of water in a 100 mL graduated cylinder. Slowly drop the metal ball in the graduated
cylinder and record the final volume of the water. Calculate the volume and density of the metal
ball.
7. Measure 50 mL of water and place it in a beaker. Measure its temperature. Heat the beaker and
record its boiling temperature. Express it in Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. Repeat using 75 mL
of water.