Experiment 1

Measurements and Significant Figures

Name: Mari Flores Date: 9/15/19 Section:

Instructions: Please do NOT put units on your values as the units are already indicated. Please make Example: M 2pm
sure each number is displayed with correct significant figures i.e. 1.340 not 1.34. You may need to
adjust the number of digits displayed in the cell using the increase or decrease decimal buttons in excel.

Part A. Ruler Page Width Number of Sig. Figs.

1. With a 10 cm Ruler (cm) 22 +/- 1 cm 2

2. With a 1 cm Ruler (cm) 21.2 +/- 0.5 cm 3

3. With a 0.1 cm Ruler (cm) 21.40 +/- 0.1 cm 4

Part B. Thermometer Degrees Celsius Degrees Kelvin

4. Water Bath Reading 20.0 +/- 0.1 C 293 K

Part C. Volume 1 (Parallax) Reading % Error

5. Volume of (~25mL) in 100mL graduate cylinder 25 mL

6. Volume reading with eyes above meniscus 26 mL 4.0%

Part C. Volume 2 Reading Number of Sig. Figs.

7. Measure ~35mL in 50 mL Erlenmeyer 35 mL 2

8. Pour [7] into 100 mL graduate cylinder 29 mL 2

9. Calculate % error in readings between7 & 8with Sig. Figs. 21%

10. Measure ~35mL using 50mL beaker 35 mL 2

11. Pour [10] into a 100mL graduated cylinder 29 mL 2

12. Calculate the % error in reading between 10 & 11 with

21%
Sig. Figs.

Post Lab Questions:

1) When calculating the density of a liquid you measure 8.2 mL in a graduated cylinder with markings every 1 mL and
measure the mass on a balance 9.548g. What is the density of this liquid with significant figures?

9.54g/8.2mL = 1.2 g/mL

9.54g/8.2mL = 1.2 g/mL

2) Consider the density calculation in problem 1. If you wanted to have a more precise density measurement typically
that means spending money on better equipment. Would you spend money to (a) improve the volume to measurement
to 0.01mL or (b) improve the mass measurement to 0.0001g or (c) improve both the volume and mass measurements?
Briefly Explain

To include a more precise density measurement, I would improve both the volume to 0.01 mL and the density to 0.0001
g because it would decrease the amount of uncertainty if you improve the quality of the equipment.

3) Which is more precise (a) a 25mL Graduate cylinder with markings every 1 mL or (b) a 50 mL Buret with markings every
0.1mL? Briefly Explain
The 50 mL Buret with markings every 0.1 mL because it decreases the amount of uncertainty which will make the
measurement more precise as compared to a graduated cylinder with only a 1 mL marking.

4) If our paper had a length in which it landed directly on the 20 cm mark for each ruler what would be the correct values
to report in each case. Write each value next to the indicated ruler below.
a) 10 cm marks value = 20 +/- 1 cm
b) 1 cm marks value = 20.0 +/- 0.5 cm
c) 0.1 cm marks value = 20.00 +/- 0.1 cm