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lab report 1

The document outlines the experimental procedure for determining the density of an unknown solution, including the importance of rinsing the burette and eliminating air bubbles for accuracy. It discusses the difference between precision and accuracy, the effects of heating on mass measurement, and the calculation of density and errors. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for significant figures in reporting results and suggests potential sources of error in the experiment.

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marinda jacob
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views

lab report 1

The document outlines the experimental procedure for determining the density of an unknown solution, including the importance of rinsing the burette and eliminating air bubbles for accuracy. It discusses the difference between precision and accuracy, the effects of heating on mass measurement, and the calculation of density and errors. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for significant figures in reporting results and suggests potential sources of error in the experiment.

Uploaded by

marinda jacob
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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REPORT SHEETS FOR EXPERIMENT 1: DENSITY DETERMINATION

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. Before being dispensed into the flask, the unknown solution is used to rinse the burette. Why is
this done? (1 Mark)

tThe
unknown solution is used to rinse the burette before being
dispensed into the flask to ensure accuracy and consistency in
measurement

2. Why is it important to eliminate any air bubbles, from the tip of the burette, before dispensing the
sample? (1 Mark)

By eliminating air bubbles we ensure the liquid flows smoothly

and dispensed volume matches the actual measurement, which

is important for reliable result

3. Explain the difference between precision and accuracy. (1 Mark)

precision has to do with reproducibility it is the measurement of fluctuation

Accuracy is how close you are to bullseye the center of target,how close
your value is to the actual value
4. Why does heating an object make it weigh less on the analytical balance? (1 Mark)

A hot object can increase evaporation, leading to loss of mass,


which the balance would record has a lighter weight

5. After dispensing a liquid from the burette, why do we wait 30 seconds before recording a reading.
(1 Mark)

we wait 30 seconds to ensure that all the liquid has fully drained
from the burette and settled in the beaker, which ensure more
accurate and consistent measurement

6. Why is it not necessary to start with an empty flask before we use it to measure the mass of a
sample? (1 Mark)

it is not necessary because we can use the difference in


mass to determine the sample's weight

7.) A student takes a flask off a hot plate and immediately weighs it, recording a mass of 41.8925
grams. If the actual weight of the flask was 41.9125 grams at room temperature, what is the % error
that the student has introduced. Is this a random or systematic error? (1.5 Marks for calculation, 0.5 for
the rest))

Absolute error = true value - measured value

=41.9125g- 41.8925g
= 0.02g
percentage error = (Absolute error/actual value)x100
=(0.02g/41.9125g)x100

= 0.0477%

This is a systematic error, since the error is due to the


flask being hot, which affect the measurement

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:

1. Calculate the density for each trial. Show all units. Show calculation for one trial and then just list
results for the rest. (1.5 Mark)

Density= mass/volume

trial 1= 9.8179/10.06=0.97593
trial 2=0.96667
trial 3=1.0128
2. Explain why all the trial densities above should be reported to 5 digits (not counting place holding
zeros). (0.5 Marks)

Rounding to five significant figure, helps minimize rounding


errors in calculations, ensuring the most accurate results

3. Calculate the average density. Round to the number of significant figures allowed by your
measurements. (1 Mark)

average density = (trial 1 + trial 2)/2

(0.97593 + 0.96667) /2

= 0.9713
4. Calculate the precision of the trials used to determine the density of your unknown in Part 3. (1
Mark)

% precision = (high value - low value) / avg value x 100

=(0.97593+0.96667)/2 x 100

= 0.10
5. Make a graph of the density of ethanol solutions versus the Wt. % concentration using the data in
Table 1. Attach the graph to your lab report (2 Marks)

6. Use the graph in Part 5 to determine the weight % ethanol in your unknown. Show and label neatly
the average density and the weight percent for your unknown neatly on the graph. (1.5 Marks)

7. In point form below, suggest 3 sources of error in this experiment. (0.9 Marks)

* Air bubble in the burette


*Rounding off value too early in calculations
*Misreading of volume from the burette

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