Lab Report 1 ( nal) - lab

BS Chemical Engineering (ChE 136)

John Rodney A. Pacayra Date Performed: August 29, 2018

BSChE-1 Date Submitted: September 12, 2018

Group 1

Experiment 1

Weighing Techniques, Errors and Statistics

I. Introduction

The purpose of this experiment is to introduce weighing tools and techniques necessary to
the accomplishment of the objectives. Weighing is a standout amongst the most well-known
assignments in the research facility. Advanced micro, semi-micro, analytical and precision
balances have now been idealized to the point that no exceptional measuring rooms are required.
Technological advances in electronics have impressively disentangled the activity of balances,
definitely cut measuring times, and influenced the parities so versatile that they too would now be
able to be coordinated straightforwardly into a creation procedure.
There are two types of electronic balances commonly used for weighing samples in
laboratories. Analytical balances are highly sensitive lab instruments designed to accurately
measure mass. Their readability has a range between 0.1mg - 0.01mg. Analytical balances have a
draft shield or weighing chamber to prevent the very small samples from being affected by air
currents. They're meant to detect very fine increments, so the slightest vibrations or breeze can
impact the results. While, top loading balance (also referred to as top loader balance) is among the
most common types of weight measuring scales used in the laboratory. Top loading balances are
available in a variety of sizes and weight capacities, from 20 g to 64.1 kg. Compact top loading
balances are calibrated with fully automatic time and temperature-controlled adjustment, an
internal or external weight, or clock calibration. A top loading balance can be tailored towards
specific applications (i.e. pipette calibration balances). Particular features include computer
interface capability via USB or RS-232C ports, short response times of 0.8 seconds or less, and
security measures to prevent illicit use of the scale.

The risk inherent in this progress, however, is that not enough care will be taken to prevent
disturbing influences from the surrounding area. These usually involve physical effects which are

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measurable for micro, semi-micro and analytical balances, and which analytical balances cannot
suppress because they result in measurable weight changes (e.g. through slow evaporation,
moisture uptake), or forces which act on the weighing pan and weighing sample (e.g. magnetism,
electrostatics) and which are interpreted by the balance as weight changes. (GWP, p. 5, 2008)

II. Methodology

The analytical balance and top-loading balance were used in this experiment. The materials
needed for weighing included 10 pcs. 1-peso coins minted with same years (2015), 100-mL beaker,
3 test tubes, 3 watch glasses and weighing cups. And for the reagents, NaCl, Ethanol, NaOH pellets
and Sulfur was used. Tong was used for holding the heated test tube while woolen cloth was for
discharging the test tube by rubbing it.

A. Weighing Techniques

1. Weighing by addition
The test used an empty, dry and clean weighing bottle for weighing sodium chloride
(NaCl). The weighing bottle was initially weighed and recorded first, then three spatulas
of sodium chloride (NaCl) were added into the weighing cups and was weighed again.
And lastly, the weight of the weighing bottle and the sodium chloride (NaCl) were
subtracted by the weight of the empty weighing bottle to find the net weight of the
sodium chloride (NaCl)

2. Weighing by Difference
In this test, watch glass and the reagents were used. Firstly, we recorded the initial
weight of the closed container containing the reagents. Secondly, we carefully added 3
pellets of NaOH individually in the pre-weighed, dried and cleaned watch glasses then
weighed its gross weight and we solved for the weight of the sample in the watch glass.
Thirdly, we reweighed the closed container containing the NaOH. Lastly, repeat the
process but now, use different reagents. For the Ethanol we used 8 drops using the
medicine dropper and for the Sulfur we used 3 spatulas of the reagent.

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B. Weighing Errors

1. Effect of temperature
For this test, it used a test tube to determine if different temperature can affect the
weights of different samples. For convenience use beaker to contain the test tube for
stability in weighing. Put the beaker on the top-loading balance and press tare for the
balance to reverse at 0. Then, weigh a clean, dry test tube and record its weight for the
room temperature. After recording, place the same tube inside a freezer for one minute
and weigh again. Place the same test tube on a Bunsen burner to increase its temperature
for 2 minutes. Immediately, reweigh the tube and record its weight for comparison.

2. Effect of moisture gain or evaporation

For this test, the watch glasses containing NaOH pellets, ethanol and sulfur were
used. So, reweigh each sample using a top loading balance. It is aimed to know if
samples subjected to air have effect on the initial and latter weight. Record the final
weight.

3. Effect of electrostatically charged weighing materials

A clean, empty and dry plastic weighing cup was weighed beforehand. With a
woolen cloth, rub the cup using it for 1 minute. Then immediately reweigh the weighing
cup. Record its weight.

C. Weighing Statistics
For this test, ten pieces of 1-peso coins minted on same the year were used. First
thing to do is to clean the coins using a tissue to remove any particles attached to the
coins for it to avoid any interference in weighing. Use a glove in putting the coins inside
the balance. Then, place a watch glass inside the analytical balance and press tare, for
easy assessment of the coins. Using the analytical balance, weigh each coin and record
their weights. Then, arrange the values from lowest to highest and compute the data
using the Dixon’s Q Test for outliers, and we solved for the other statistical parameters
to test the validity and acceptability of the acquired data.

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III. Results (Table, Calculations)

A. Weighing Techniques

Table A1. Weighing by Addition

Weight of Empty Bottle (g) 3.91
Weight of Weight Bottle + NaCl (g) 4.88
Weight of NaCl (g) 0.97
Table A2. Weighing by Subtraction
Samples NaOH EtOH Sulfur
Initial weight of
bottle containing 461.49 701.79 137.14
the sample (g)
Final weight of
bottle containing 460.83 701.56 136.31
the sample (g)
Weight of sample
that was dispensed 0.66 0.23 0.83
(g)
Weight of empty
38.40 37.63 37.59
watch glass (g)
Weight of watch
39.10 37.72 38.46
glass + sample (g)
Weight of sample
in the watch glass 0.70 0.09 0.87
(g)

B. Weighing Errors
Table B1. Effect of Temperature
Temperature Condition Weight of Test Tube (g)
Cold 14.02
Room Temperature 13.99
Hot 13.96

Table B2. Effect of Moisture Gain or Evaporation

Net weight immediately Net weight after some
Sample
after transfer (g) time (g)
NaOH 0.70 0.93
EtOH 0.09 0.03
Sulfur 0.87 0.85
*copy relevant data in
Table A2

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 Table B3. Effect of Electrostatically Charged Sample

Initial weight of weighing bottle (g) 3.9094

Weight of Weighing Bottle After

3.9087
Rubbing with Woolen Cloth (g)

C. Weighing Statistics
Table C1. Weight of Sample Coins
Sample Weight (g)
1 5.3861
2 5.3083
3 5.3201
4 5.3221
5 5.3502
6 5.3314
7 5.2978
8 5.4001
9 5.3654
10 5.3297

Table C2. Dixon’s Q Test for Outliers

Suspected
Data Qexp Qcrit Conclusion
Values
H: 5.4001 g For a sample size of
10 and a critical
level of 95%, the
Qcrit value is 0.466,
while Qexn is 0.103
Group L: 5.2978 g 0.103 0.466 which is not greater
than 0.466, so this
point is not an
outlier at a critical
level 95%

Table C3. Summary of Statistical Results

Statistical parameters Value
Mean 5.34112
Standard Deviation, s 0.0335925
Relative standard deviation, RSD 0.629%
Confidence interval at the 95% 5.34112 ± 0.024 or
confidence level 5.36512 - 5.31712

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IV. Discussion

A. Procedure used
1. Weighing by Difference
Weighing by difference is the most exact and precise option to compute the mass
of a certain sample. This methodology includes repetitious weighing of a measuring
container containing an amount of solid reagent. By measuring the gross weight or the
weight of the sample with its container and subtract it with the weight of the container
you can find the net weight or the weight of the sample reagent.

2. Weighing by Addition
Weighing on addition on the other hand, is an estimating methodology used for
considerably greater sums which are less delicate to external impacts. The process of
weighing by difference is totally different to the weighing by addition, in weighing of
addition, you first measure the weight of the container that will contain the reagents and
tare the balance, and then add the desired amount of reagent to measure its weight.

B. Results obtained

1. Effect of temperature
Weigh a clean, dry test tube and record its weight. After that, place the test tube
inside a freezer for 3 minutes and repeat the weighing. Place the same test tube on top
of a hot surface to increase the its temperature by about 10 ºC (just enough that you can
still hold it). In order to properly weigh test tubes, use a beaker.

2. Effect of moisture gain or evaporation

In this test, the watch glasses containing NaOH pellets, ethanol and sulfur were
subjected to the environment for a decent amount of time. The experiment aims to know
if there is any significant change in weight of the samples after reweighing.

3. Effect of electrostatically charged weighing materials

Rub a clean, dry plastic cup with a piece of cloth for one minute then weigh it in
the analytical balance to determine if there is any chance that being electrostatically
charged will have an effect to the weight of the material.

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 4. Weighing statistics
This test aims to determine any outliers in measuring the weight of 10 coins of the
same year using statistical analysis. The test is done by individually weighing the coins
in an analytical balance but beforehand, the coins must be wiped off to reduce any
residue that could affect the weight. Using a glove, the coins are placed one by one and
then weighed.

C. Patterns
The only pattern I observed was the effect of temperature in the weighing, as the
temperature increases, the weight of the sample decreases, it is on account of the moisture
content and temperature of the sample. Temperature and moisture are inversely
proportional, as the temperature increases the moisture in the sample evaporated making it
somewhat lighter than its weight in room temperature and as the temperature decreases,
the moisture near the sample condenses making it somewhat heavier than the sample’s
weight in room temperature.

D. Guide questions

1. Describe other means of getting the weight of NaCl using the same balance that you
used.

Alternative way of getting the weight of NaCl is by using the method of weighing
by difference, pre-weighing the container then record, and subtract its weight to the
gross weight to find the net weight of the NaCl.

2. Compare the two weights of NaOH obtained in (a) and in (b).

The weight of NaOH in (b) is heavier than its initial weight in (a). The weight of
NaOH in (b) is heavier since it absorbed moisture from the surroundings.

3. Which of these measurements do you think is more accurate? Justify your answer.

Weighing by difference is more accurate since the weight of the material is the
difference between the two weights of the container before and after you transfer the
sample reagent from the container.

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4. Make a crude generalization when to use weighing by difference or weighing by
addition.

Weighing by difference is more exact and precise option to compute the mass of a
certain sample. This methodology includes repetitious weighing of a measuring
container containing an amount of solid reagent. Weighing on addition on the other
hand, is an estimating methodology used for considerably greater sums which are less
delicate to external impacts.

5. Give a generalization of the effect of temperature on the weight of materials.

The effect of temperature to the weight of the materials is inversely proportional,

because as the temperature increases the weight of the materials decreases and as the
temperature decreases, the weight of the materials increases due to the moisture
accumulation.

6. Compare the weight of NaOH, EtOH and sulfur that you obtained from the weight that
you obtained in section A.2.a-c. Account for the difference in weight, if any.

The new weight of the samples increased from the initial weights in section A.2.
The weights increased because of the moisture build-up from the surroundings added to
the reagents.

7. Give a generalization of the effect of moisture gain or evaporation on the weight of

materials.

The effect of moisture gain to the weight of the materials is directly proportional,
because the more moisture builds-up in the material the heavier it becomes.

8. Give a generalization of the effect of weighing electronically charged materials on its

weight.

The effect of being electrostatic charged in weighing materials decreases the weight
of the material, since the electrostatic charged materials attract to the particles around it,
pulling it away from the balance.

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V. Summary and Conclusion
This experiment shows the different methods that can be applied in measuring the
mass of a sample and the components that may cause the variation or errors in the
measurements can be watched. But there are certain features that can affect the accuracy
and exactness of the measurement such as moisture gain, temperature difference and
electrostatic forces. In addition, the errors committed by the observer and other systematic
errors like environmental and instrumental errors can never be avoided.
Exactness in estimating mass can be accomplished by rehearsing the convention of
right weighing. Certain mistakes can be minimized by ensuring that the components that
may affect the accuracy of the measurement are controlled or avoided. Furthermore,
calculating the statistical parameters of the data gives the better classification and
evaluation of acceptable or inadequate data.

VI. References/Literature Cited (at least three)

Equipment, Adam. “Adam Equipment.” Adam Equipment USA, 29 Mar. 2018,

www.adamequipment.com/aeblog/what-are-analytical-balances.

Toledo, M. (2008). Good Weighing Practice. Laboratory & Weighing Technologies. Retrieved
from http://lab.mt.com/gwp/waegefibel/Waegefibel-e-720906.pdf

“Top Loading Balance.” Labcompare, www.labcompare.com/General-Laboratory-

Equipment/44-Top-Loading-Balance/.

“What Precautions Should Be Taken for Correct Weighing of Laboratory Samples?” Lab-
Training.com, Lab-Training.com, 22 Jan. 2016, lab-training.com/2014/06/24/correct-
weighing-samples/.

“Wired Chemist.” Recrystallization,

www.wiredchemist.com/chemistry/instructional/laboratory-tutorials/weighing-
techniques.

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