Calibration of Volumetric Glassware for Precise Measurement of Liquid Volume

Categories: Chemistry

Abstract:

The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the relationship between different types of volumetric glassware and their accuracy in measuring precise liquid volumes for quantitative laboratory work. The accuracy and precision of volume measurements are crucial in scientific research, and this experiment aims to calibrate various glassware instruments to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Introduction:

Accurate and precise measurements are crucial in quantitative laboratory work. This experiment focuses on the calibration of volumetric glassware, which includes pipettes, burettes, volumetric flasks, and measuring cylinders.

Calibration involves determining the actual volume delivered or contained by each piece of glassware. This calibration is achieved by measuring the mass of water and using the density of water at a specific temperature to convert mass into volume. Pipettes are calibrated to deliver specific volumes, while volumetric flasks are calibrated to contain specific volumes.

Materials and Procedure:

Materials used in the experiment:

  • 10 mL volumetric pipette
  • 25 mL volumetric pipette
  • 100 mL volumetric flask
  • 50 mL measuring cylinder
  • Distilled water
  • Plastic dropper
  • 100 mL beaker
  • 250 mL beaker
  • Electronic weigh balance

Table 1: Density of Water at Different Temperatures

Temperature (°C) Density (g/mL)
27 [Density at 27°C]
28 [Density at 28°C]

Procedure:

    1. Calibration of a 10 mL volumetric pipette:
      1. An empty 100 mL beaker was weighed to the nearest milligram using an electronic weigh balance.

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      2. The 10 mL pipette was filled to the mark with distilled water.
      3. The water was drained by gravity (remove pipette bulb or pump) into the beaker and capped the bottle to prevent evaporation.
      4. The bottle was weighed again to find the mass of water delivered from the pipette.

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      5. Then used the following equation to convert mass to volume.
      6. The above procedure was performed on each of the pipette.
      7. The experiment was repeated for 2 times.

Table 2: Calibration Data for 10 mL Volumetric Pipette

Trial Mass of Container + Water (g) Mass of Container (g) Mass of Water (g) Temperature (°C) Actual Volume (mL) Average Volume (mL) Standard Deviation (σ) Relative Standard Deviation (σ/ x̑)
1 59.31 49.55 9.76 32 9.82 [Average Volume 10 mL] [Standard Deviation 10 mL] [Relative Standard Deviation 10 mL]
2 59.34 49.56 9.78 32 9.84
3 59.28 49.54 9.74 32 9.80

Results and Discussion:

I. 10 mL pipette:

The calibration data for the 10 mL volumetric pipette is presented in Table 2. The average volume obtained for the pipette is [Average Volume 10 mL] mL. The standard deviation for the calibration is [Standard Deviation 10 mL], resulting in a relative standard deviation of [Relative Standard Deviation 10 mL].

The purpose of the experiment was to calibrate volumetric glassware for precise liquid volume measurement. The calibration process involved measuring the mass of water and using the density of water at a specific temperature to convert mass into volume. Pipettes were calibrated to deliver specific volumes, while volumetric flasks were calibrated based on containment.

Accuracy and precision are essential in scientific measurements. Accuracy reflects how close measurements are to the actual values, while precision measures the consistency of results under unchanged conditions. Our results showed that while the measurements were precise (as indicated by low relative standard deviations), they may not have been accurate due to potential factors such as pressure variations in the surroundings.

Possible sources of error include variations in the electronic weigh balance, insufficient cleaning and drying of apparatus, and parallax errors during measurements. To improve accuracy and precision, it is crucial to ensure proper instrument maintenance and minimize sources of error.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this experiment highlighted the importance of calibrating volumetric glassware for accurate and precise liquid volume measurements in quantitative laboratory work. The results indicated that instrument sensitivity can affect accuracy and precision. To minimize errors, it is essential to maintain proper instrument conditions, avoid parallax errors, and ensure thorough cleaning and drying of glassware. Different glassware may exhibit variations in accuracy and precision, emphasizing the need for periodic calibration.

Appendix:

Questions:

    1. Please explain in the simplest way what calibration is.
      Calibration is a process where we compare measurements made by one device with those made by another device in a similar way to ensure accuracy and correctness.

Calculations:

I. Standard Deviation (σ) = [Standard Deviation 10 mL]
Relative Standard Deviation (σ/ x̑) = [Relative Standard Deviation 10 mL]

References:

  • Chemistry eleventh Edition book by Raymond Chang
  • Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes by Richard M. Felder and Ronald W. Rousseau
  • Longman Essential Chemistry by Yeap Tok Kheng
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_deviation
  • http://www.udel.edu/chem/analytical/c119/Lab_2.pdf

Summary:

This experiment focused on calibrating volumetric glassware to achieve precise liquid volume measurements. It involved the calibration of pipettes, volumetric flasks, and measuring cylinders using the mass of water and the density of water at a specific temperature. The results indicated precision but raised concerns about accuracy, potentially influenced by external factors. Proper instrument maintenance and error reduction strategies are essential for accurate measurements in quantitative laboratory work.

Updated: Dec 29, 2023
Cite this page

Calibration of Volumetric Glassware for Precise Measurement of Liquid Volume. (2016, Apr 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/document/lab-report-calibration-of-volumetric-flask

Calibration of Volumetric Glassware for Precise Measurement of Liquid Volume essay
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