Introductory Chemistry Lab 3: Data Measurement
Objectives Learn about the metric system, using grams, meters, and liters Understand how to convert between US and metric systems Practice the proper technique for measurement Introduction Biology relies heavily on the use of numbers, measurements and calculations. Consequently, scientists use a universal measuring standard called the metric system. Because the metric system is based on units of ten, it simplifies making conversions within that system. The basic units of measurement in the metric system are: Gram: when measuring mass. Liter: when measuring liquids. Meter: when measuring distance. Note: In this table we are using meters. The prefixes remain the same with liter or gram. Each basic unit can be divided or expanded upon using the following prefixes: Prefix Abbreviation Multiplication used to convert TO meters Multiplication used to convert FROM meters Nano (n) 10 9 0.000000001 1000000000 Micro (µ) 10 6 0.000001 1000000 Milli (m) 10 3 0.001 1000 Centi (c) 10 2 0.01 100 Deci (d) 10 1 0.1 10 To convert between units, multiply using the conversions above (conversions can also be made by division, though not with this table). Prefix Abbreviation Multiplication used to convert TO meters Multiplication used to convert FROM meters Deka (da) 10 1 10 0.1 Hecto (h) 10 2 100 0.01 Kilo (k) 10 3 1000 0.001 Mega (M) 10 6 1000000 0.000001 Giga (G) 10 9 1000000000 0.000000001 33
Figure 2 When measuring a liquid there is a certain place that one must measure the bottom of the meniscus. The meniscus is the curved line that a liquid makes when placed in a narrow container. When looking for the bottom of the meniscus, one must look straight at it. When one s line of sight is too high, then the reading that is received is too low. When one s line of sight is too low, then the reading received is too high. Multiplication Example: To convert 200 meters (m) to kilometers (km): To convert 450 millimeters (mm) to meters (m): multiply 200 m x 0.001 =.2 km multiply 450 mm x 0.001 =.45 m When converting from units less than a meter to greater than a meter (or the other way around), first convert to a meter and then to the final unit. To convert 40,000 cm to kilometers: multiply 40,000 cm x 0.01 = 400 m multiply 400 m x 0.001 = 0.4 km 40,000 cm = 0.4km 1) Convert the following: 3 m = cm 83 m = µm 41,692 m = Mm 110 kilometers = m = mm 3.7 hectometers = m = cm 451,000,000µm = m = dam 34
2)A football field is about 100 meters long (actually 100 yards). If you run a 5K race how many meters is it? Approximately how many football fields is this? Length, Area, Volume, Mass and Temperature Length is measured in meters. The Area of a square or rectangle is measured by multiplying length (in meters) by width (in meters). The unit of measurement is m 2, which reads meters squared or square meters. When you see this notation, it is an indication that the measurement is describing area. Example: If a box is 12 cm long and 24 cm wide, its area is: 12 cm X 24 cm = 288 cm 2 Volume can be measured by multiplying length (m) by width (m) by height (m). The unit of measurement is m 3, which reads meters cubed. When you see this notation, it is an indication that the measurement is describing volume. Example: If the same box is 4 cm high, its volume would be: 12 cm X 24 cm X 4 cm = 1,152 cm 3 If we wanted to convert this to meters: 1,152 cm 3 X 0.01 = 11.52 m 3 3) Measure the following objects. A) Your computer screen (in meters) Length Width Area Volume B) A 100 ml beaker: (in millimeters) Length Width 35
Area Volume C) Your lab kit box lid: (in centimeters) Length Width Area Volume Mass is the amount of matter an object possesses. It is the metric systems measurement of weight and is expressed in grams (g). When using instruments, such as a scale, there is always a margin of error. This is a result of either human or mechanical error. Therefore, it is prudent to perform measurements at least three times to find the average (most precise) measurement. 4) Determine the mass of the objects listed below (in grams). Pay attention to the units. Since you do not have a metric scale, we will provide you data to work with. A) Baseball B) Piece of fruit Mass (measurement 1):.145 kg Mass (measurement 2): 145.05_ g Mass (measurement 3): 145,750.77 mg Mass (average): g Convert: kg Mass (measurement 1): 310 g Mass (measurement 2): 0.318 kg Mass (measurement 3): 309,143 mg Mass (average): cg Convert: g Volume is a three dimensional measurement. Previously we expressed volume in m 3. When measuring liquids and gases it is typically expressed in liters (L). The direct correlation is (1 cm 3 = 1ml). 36
Example: To determine the volume of a measurable object, multiply length x width x height. If a wooden block is 15 cm long, 20 cm wide and 4 cm high, the volume can be found by: Volume = 15 cm x 20 cm x 4 cm = 1,200 cm 3 = 1,200 ml = 1.2 L A graduated cylinder is often used to measure volumes. When measuring liquids, the top (meniscus) of the liquid will appear curved as a result of surface tension. NOTE: When an object is solid and does not have measurable sides (i.e. a solid marble), water displacement can be used to determine the volume. EXAMPLE: place the marble into a graduated cylinder containing 50 ml of water. If the water rises to 52 ml, the volume of the marble is 2 ml. 5) Determine the volume of the following objects. If you cannot do so by measuring the dimensions, use a different technique. A) The chemical box inside of your kit: Length: m Width: m Height: m Volume: L B) Test tube: Length: m Width: m Height: m Volume: L C) Pick an object from your home. Object:. Length: m Width: m Height: m Volume: L 6) If you want to determine the volume of a swimming pool, name two ways you could do this. 37
7) Measure the volume of a soup bowl from your cupboard. Volume: ml Temperature is a measure of the amount of heat present in an object. We use the Fahrenheit scale in the U.S., but the scientific standard is Celsius. In Celsius, water boils at 100 o C and freezes at 0 o C. To convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius, use the following equation: Example: the human body has a temperature of 98.6 o F: o C = 5/9 (98.6 o F 32 o ) o C = 37 o C = 5/9 ( o F 32 o ) 8) Convert the following: 121 o F = o C 32 o F = o C 0 o F = o C 77 o F = o C 9) With your thermometer, measure the temperature of the following objects: A) Glass of cold tap water: o C B) Your kitchen: o C C) Inside your freezer: o C D) Palm of your hand (wrap your hand around the thermometer, but do not squeeze): o C 38