New Metric Measurement Activity

Note: For all activities, practice use proper metric units and record appropriate significant figures.

1. Lengths are measured in meters using a ruler or meter stick. When measuring with a meter stick or ruler, hold the stick on its edge so that the marks touch the object you are measuring. Keep your eyes directly in front of the mark that you are using.  Using the ruler on your table measure the length and width of the index card in your box. Record. Share with class.

length of index card: _____________     

width of index card:______________

calculate surface area of index card: ______________

2. Liquid volumes are measured in liters using graduated cylinder, NOT a beaker. When measuring with a graduated cylinder, remember to have graduated cylinder on a flat surface, measure with eyes at the level of the measuring mark, and measure from the bottom of the meniscus. Solid volumes can be determined using the displacement of water or if a rectangle you can measure length X width x height and your unit would be in meters³. Measure length, width and height of cube provided and record. Determine volume with proper unit. Now use the water displacement method to determine volume of the cube.

length of cube:_______________  

width of cube:_________________ 

height of cube:______________  

volume of cube: ____________

volume of cube using water displacement:__________________ 

what is the relationship between cm³ and ml? ____________________

3. Mass is measured in grams using a triple beam balance or an electronic balance. Before using either balance make sure that the scale has been zeroed. To zero the electronic balance push the "on" button once. Do not push other buttons or you will change the units with which the balance measures. Chemical should never be place directly on a scale so use a weigh boat, watch glass, evaporating dish or beaker.  Measure the mass of a 100ml beaker. Record value in appropriate place in your notebook. Carefully measure 20.0 ml of water using a graduated cylinder and add it to the beaker. Record mass of beaker + water.

Mass of Beaker + Water: ___________________    

Mass of empty Beaker: _________________ 

Calculate mass of Water in Beaker: _____________

While beaker and water are still on the balance, push the "on" button once.

What happened? ____________________________

Carefully add 5.0 ml more of water to the beaker using the graduated cylinder. 

What does the scale read now? _______________________

How can this be useful?___________________

Using measurements from above, what would be the mass of 1 ml of water?  ______________

4. Temperature is measured in Celsius or Kelvin using a thermometer. Two types of thermometers will be used this year, an alcohol thermometer and a stainless steel probe thermometer.  To use an alcohol thermometer, hold the thermometer by the end opposite the colored (red or blue) tip. Hold the thermometer at eye level.Turn the thermometer in your hand until you see the red or blue line. Each long mark on the thermometer is the same as 1 degree. Short marks are the same as 0.2 degree. To use the stainless steel probe, connect probe to Go link, Go link to chromebook an open Graphical Analysis in apps. Temperature should be recorded in lower right hand corner. The equation for converting Celsius temperature into Kelvin is K = 273 + ºC Measure temperature of beaker on front counter using both an alcohol and stainless steel probe thermometer. Record below using proper unit. Convert into Kelvin.

Temperature of Water in Beaker using alcohol thermometer: _______________

Temperature of Water in Beaker using stainless steel probe thermometer: _______________

Temperatures converted into Kelvin: _____________________

5. Density is measured in grams/milliliter using a scale and graduated cylinder. One of the most important intensive physical properties of a substance is its density, which means density can be used to identify a substance. Density is calculated by dividing its mass by its volume.  Density = mass/volume. Use tips for measuring mass and volume above to improve accurate measurements. Pick out several lumps of sulfur (4-6) which will fit into a small graduated cylinder. Using the electronic balance and weigh boat, find their mass. To find their volume, use water displacement method. Then calculate density using equation above and percent error using the following equation: % error = |theoretical value- experimental value| X 100
                                                                                                                                                                                theoretical value

Mass of sulfur: _________________

Initial volume of water in graduated cylinder: _____________

Final volume of water with sulfur in graduated cylinder: ________________

Volume of sulfur alone: _____________

Calculate density: ______________

Theoretical value of sulfur's density :     2.1 g/ml   

Calculate % error: __________________