Thoughts…

Short lecture on uncertainty and use of measurement tools prior to activity.Also night need to go over how to calculate percent error (shows up in activity 3)

Print each slide in full, laminate/put in sheet protector, and tape to each lab station.

Task 1: Uncertainty in the Measurement of Length

Objective: Use a four-sided meter stick to measure and calculate the area of a desk top

Directions:1) Start with the least precise side of meter stick

(orange line that is marked with only “1m”.2) Measure the length and width of your desk and

record your data. Include units and uncertainty.3) Calculate the area using these measurements and

record to correct number of significant figures.** For our purpose, we will leave uncertainty out of calculated area.4) Repeat steps 1-3 using the other sides of the ruler

Task 2: Uncertainty in the Measurement of Mass

Objective: Use several different balances to compare the mass of the same object

Pointers and Tips:- Remember to “tare/zero” the electronic balances before using them.

Directions:1) Mass the roll of masking tape

on the bathroom scale (least precise)

2) Record your measurement in your data table.

3) Continue to take the mass of the masking tape on each of the available balances.

** Don’t forget to include uncertainty!!!

Task 3: Uncertainty of Different Graduated Cylinders

Objective: Record the uncertainty of different graduated cylinders

Directions:1) Study the 3 different-sized

graduated cylinders on the lab station.

2) Based on the smallest demarcations on each graduated cylinder, record the amounts of uncertainty in your data table.

Task 4: Measurement of Volume to compare different volumetric tools

Objective: Use different volumetric tools (graduated cylinders, beaker, and volumetric flask) to compare measurement of same volume of liquid

Your Task:1) Fill your measurement device about way full

with water (does not need to be any specific volume).

2) Record the volume of water in the measurement device using the reading that you obtain from measurement device. (i.e. markings on side of graduated cylinder).

** Don’t forget estimated digit and uncertainty!3) Use a triple-beam balance to determine the

mass of water in measurement device. 4) Convert mass of water to volume (g mL)

using the appropriate conversion factors.5) Calculate percent error.

1.00g of water = 1.00 cm3 of water1 cm3 of water = 1 mL of water

Task 5: Determining DensityObjective: Compare the calculated volume of water with the measured mass of water.

Directions:1) Measure the inside dimensions of a clear plastic box2) Record measurements including uncertainty3) Calculate the inside volume of plastic box and record answer in

cm3 (don’t forget significant figures)4) Fill plastic box with tap water and pour the water into an

appropriate sized graduated cylinder.5) Determine the volume of water and record measurement6) Fill plastic box with distilled water and determine the mass of

water using a triple beam balance.

Using all of the information gathered, can you calculate the DENSITY of distilled water? Give it a try!!!

Task 6: Qualitative and Quantitative Observations

Objective: Practice making and recording both qualitative and quantitative observations

Directions:1) Obtain a tea light candle2) Light the candle and observe it3) Make at least 5 qualitative

observations and 5 quantitative observations and record.