Apparatus for Measurements (CIE IGCSE Chemistry)

Time

• Time can be measured using a stopwatch or stopclock which are usually accurate to one or two decimal places
• The units of time normally used are seconds or minutes although other units may be used for extremely slow reactions (e.g. rusting)
• 1 minute = 60 seconds

Temperature

• Temperature is measured with a thermometer or digital probe
• Laboratory thermometers usually have a precision of a half or one degree
• Digital temperature probes are available which are more precise than traditional thermometers and can often read to 0.1 ^oC
• Traditional thermometers rely upon the uniform expansion and contraction of a liquid substance with temperature; digital temperature probes can be just as, if not, more accurate than traditional thermometers
• The units of temperature are degrees Celsius (ºC)

Mass

• Mass is measured using a digital balance which normally gives readings to two decimal places
• Balances must be tared (set to zero) before use
• The standard unit of mass in kilograms (kg) but in chemistry grams (g) are most often used
• 1 kilogram = 1000 grams

Volume-liquids

• The volume of a liquid can be determined using several types of apparatus, depending on the level of accuracy needed
• For approximate volumes where high accuracy is not an important factor, measuring ( or graduated) cylinders are used
• These are graduated (have a scale so can be used to measure) and are available typically in a range of sizes from 10 cm³ to 1 litre (1 dm³)
• Volumetric pipettes are the most accurate way of measuring a fixed volume of liquid, usually 10 cm³ or 25 cm³
  • They have a scratch mark on the neck which is matched to the bottom of the meniscus to make the measurement
• Burettes are the most accurate way of measuring a variable volume of liquid between 0 cm³ and 50 cm³ (e.g. in a titration)
• The tricky thing with burettes is to remember to read the scale from top to bottom as 0.00 cm³ is at the top of the column
• Whichever apparatus you use, you may see markings in ml(millilitre) which is the same as a cm³

Diagram of a burette with conical flask and pipette with filler

 

Volume-gases

• The volume of a gas sometimes needs to be measured and is done by collecting it in a graduated measuring apparatus
• A gas syringe is usually the apparatus used
• A graduated cylinder inverted in water may also be used, provided the gas isn't water-soluble
• If the gas happens to be heavier than air and is coloured, the cylinder can be used upright

Diagram of the set-up for an experiment involving gas collection

• In the lab we often have choices of different apparatus to do the same job
• Evaluating what is the best one to use is part of good experimental planning and design
• This means appreciating some of the advantages and disadvantages of laboratory apparatus

Table showing examples of Advantages and Disadvantages of Lab Apparatus

Five pieces of apparatus that can be used to measure the volume of a liquid. They all have their pros and cons

Planning your method

• Good experimental design includes the answers to questions like
• Have I chosen a suitable apparatus for what I need to measure?
• Is it going to give me results in an appropriate time frame?
• Is it going to give me enough results to process, analyse and make conclusions?
• Does it allow for repetitions to check how reliable my results are?
• Does my plan give a suitable range of results?
• How can I be sure my results are accurate?
• Have I chosen an appropriate scale of quantities without being wasteful or unsafe?
• You may be asked about experimental methods in exam questions and your experience and knowledge of practical techniques in chemistry should help you to spot mistakes and suggest improvements