Name: Celine Angela M.

Selvido Date Performed: August 29, 2018

Course: BS ChE – I Date Submitted: September 12, 2018
Subject: Chem 23.1 Group 7

Experiment 1

Weighing Techniques, Errors and Statistics

I. Introduction

The ability to measure and to recognize the factors that may affect the weight of a
material is one of the most important skills that must be acquired by all laboratory personnel;
and the ability to determine mass accurately is fundamental not only to analytical chemistry
but also to all fields of modern science. In order to be familiar with this notion, the
experiment aims to help the students on how to properly obtain the weights of different
materials using two types of electrical balances via the weighing by difference and weighing
by addition techniques. They are also expected to know the common sources of errors in
weighing such as temperature, moisture gain or evaporation, and electrostatic charge. Then,
simple statistical tests were applied to the obtained data to determine the precision of a
measurement. Finally, the results were analyzed to determine the reliability and use of each
statistical function.

II. Methodology

The students first collected the necessary materials, (10) 1-peso coins made at the same
year, three (3) watch glass, 100-mL beaker, tong or tweezer, weighing bottles, test tube, and
woolen cloth; and reagents, Ethanol, NaCL, NaOH pellets, and Sulfur in order to conduct this
simple experiment.

Following the directions in the Inorganic Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Manual, an

empty, dry, clean weighing bottle was weighed for Procedure A1. After recording the data,
three spatulas of sodium chloride (NaCl) were placed into the weighing bottle and its weight
was recorded. Finally, they measured the weight of the NaCl in the weighing bottle.

For Procedure A2, the students first recorded the initial weight of a closed container
containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pellets. After that, they carefully transferred three
pieces of pellets into a clean, dry, pre-weighed watch glass. Next, the students reweighed the
container of NaOH and recorded the data in their logbook. Then, they solved for the weight
of NaOH that was dispensed or transferred in the watch glass. Finally, the students weighed
the watch glass containing the NaOH and measured the weight of the sample in the watch
 glass. The same procedure was repeated using eight drops of ethyl alcohol (EtOH) and three
spatulas of sulfur.

In Procedure B1, the students first weighed a clean, dry test tube and recorded its weight
in their logbook. Next, they placed the test tube inside a freezer for one minute and repeated
the weighing. Finally, they placed the same test tube over the flame of a gas burner for two
minutes, reweighed it, and recorded its weight.

For Procedure B2, the samples in the watch glass that were used in Procedure A2
(namely the three pellets of NaOH, eight drops of EtOH and three spatulas of sulfur) were
reweighed after exposing the samples at room temperature after some time and their
respective weights were recorded.

In Procedure B3, the students weighed a clean, dry plastic weighing bottle and recorded
its weight. Then, they rubbed the weighing bottle with a woolen cloth and reweighed it.

For Procedure C., (10) 1-peso coins were used. Each coin was weighed and their values
were recorded in the logbook. Various statistical concepts (Dixon’s Q test, Mean, Standard
deviation, Relative Standard Deviation, and Confidence interval of the mean at 90%
confidence level) were used to determine the reliability of each measurement.

III. Results (tables, calculations etc.)

A. Weighing techniques

Table A1. Weighing by addition

weight of empty weighing bottle (g) 1.02 g

weight of weighing bottle + NaCl (g) 2.19 g
weight of NaCl (g) 1.17 g
Table A2. Weighing by difference

Samples NaOH EtOH sulfur

initial weight of
bottle containing the 461.01 g 700.69 g 135.66 g
sample (g)
final weight of bottle
containing the sample 460.01 g 700.41 g 134.98 g
(g)
weight of sample that
1.00 g 0.28 g 0.68 g
was dispensed (g)
weight of empty
37.95 g 31.63 g 38.38 g
watch glass (g)
weight of watch glass
38.92 g 31.78 g 39.03 g
+ sample (g)
weight of sample in
0.97 g 0.15 g 0.65 g
the watch glass (g)

B. Weighing errors

Table B1. Effect of temperature

temperature condition weight of test tube (g)

Cold 13.89 g
Room temperature 13.87 g
Hot 13.83 g

Table B2. Effect of moisture gain or evaporation

net weight immediately after

Sample net weight after some time (g)
transfer (g)
NaOH 38.92 g (0.97 g) 38.98 g (1.03 g)
EtOH 31.78 g (0.15 g) 31.63 g (0 g)
Sulfur 39.03 g (0.65 g) 39.03 g (0.65 g)

Table B3. Effect of electrostatically charged sample

initial weight of weighing bottle (g) 1.56 g

weight of weighing bottle after rubbing with
1.58 g
woolen cloth (g)
C. Weighing Statistics

Table C1. Weight of Sample coins

Sample number weight (g)

1 5.3318 g
2 5.3407 g
3 5.3846 g
4 5.2941 g
5 5.3401 g
6 5.3345 g
7 5.2976 g
8 5.2993 g
9 5.3516 g
10 5.3815 g

Table C2. Dixon’s Q test for outliers

Suspect Values
Data Qexp Qcrit Conclusion
H: 5.3846 Therefore, we
accept 5.3846 at
Group 0.038674 0.412 even 90%
L: 3.2941
confidence
interval

Table C3. Summary of Statistical Results

Statistical parameters Value

Mean 5.33558
Standard deviation, s 0.032162
Relative standard deviation, RSD 0.602787
Confidence interval at the 90% confidence
5.31693 – 5.354223
level

IV. Discussion

a. and b. Discuss procedure used and results obtained

A top loading balance was used to measure the weights of the samples in Procedure A1.
The group measured the weight of an empty, dry, clean weighing bottle and recorded its
weight (1.02 g) in their logbook. The weight of the weighing bottle containing three spatulas
of sodium chloride (NaCl) was obtained through the weighing by addition method, (2.19 g).
Finally, after pressing TARE to re-zero the display, the weight of the NaCl in the weighing
bottle was calculated via the weighing by difference technique; where the original weight of
the empty weighing bottle was subtracted from the combined weight of the weighing bottle
containing the NaCl sample. Through this calculation, the group found that the weight of
NaCl was 1.17 g.

For Procedure A2 the top loading balance was used to obtain the weights of the samples.
The weighing by difference method was used for this procedure. The group first recorded the
initial weight of a closed container containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pellets, which was
461.01 g. Then, they transferred three pellets into a pre-weighed (37.95 g) watch glass. After
that, the group reweighed the container of NaOH and recorded the data for the final weight of
the bottle (460.01 g) in their logbook. In order to obtain the weight of the sample that was
dispensed or transferred in the watch glass, the students subtracted the final weight of the
bottle containing the sample (460.01 g) from the data of the initial weight of the bottle
(461.01 g) and recorded the new data (1.00 g). Finally, the students weighed the watch glass
containing the sample NaOH (38.92 g) and measured the weight of the sample in the watch
glass by subtracting the weight of the pre-weighed watch glass from the watch glass
containing the given sample to get the true weight of the NaOH which was 0.97 g. The Using
the same procedures but with different samples this time (eight drops of ethyl alcohol (EtOH)
and three spatulas of sulfur) the resulting data were as follows; for EtOH the initial weight of
bottle containing the sample was 700.69 g, the final weight of bottle containing the sample
was 700.41 g, the weight of sample that was dispensed was 0.28 g, the weight of empty
watch glass was 31.63 g, the weight of watch glass and the sample was 31.78 g, and the
weight of the sample in the watch glass was 0.15 g; while for sulfur the initial weight of
bottle containing the sample was 135.66 g, the final weight of bottle containing the sample
was 134.98 g, the weight of sample that was dispensed was 0.68 g, the weight of empty
watch glass was 38.38 g, the weight of watch glass and the sample was 39.03 g, and the
weight of the sample in the watch glass was 0.65 g.

In Procedure B1, the students tested temperature as the factor that can affect the
measurement of the weight of a material. The group first weighed a clean, dry test tube at
room temperature using a top loading balance and recorded its weight (13.87 g) in their
logbook. Next, they placed the test tube inside a freezer for one minute and after pressing
TARE button on the top loading balance repeated the weighing, which resulted to a different
weight that was 13.89 g. Finally, they placed the same test tube over the flame of a gas
burner for two minutes, pressed TARE, reweighed it, and recorded its weight which was
13.83 g.

The effect or moisture gain or evaporation was the factor tested in Procedure B2. After
exposing the samples in the watch glass that was used in Procedure A. 2 (namely the three
pellets of NaOH, eight drops of EtOH and three spatulas of sulfur) in room temperature after
a given time with the net weight of 38.92 g (0.97 g), 31.78 g (0.15 g), and 39.03 g (0.65 g)
immediately weighed after transfer for NaOH, EtOH, and sulfur respectively; the samples
were reweighed again using a top loading balance and their respective weights were
recorded. The following were the new weights of the samples after some time: 38.98 g (1.03
g) of NaOH, 31.63 g (0.30 g) of EtOH, and 39.03 g (0.65 g) of sulfur.

In Procedure B3, the students investigated the electrostatically charged weighing

materials and its effect to its weight measurement. First, the group weighed a clean, dry,
empty plastic weighing bottle and recorded its weight using a top loading balance. The
resulting measurement for the initial weight of the weighing bottle was 1.56 g. Finally, they
rubbed the weighing bottle with a woolen cloth, pressed the TARE button and reweighed it.
The resulting weight after reweighing was 1.58 g.

For Procedure C., (10) 1-peso coins minted in the same year were used in this
experiment. Each coin was weighed and the following values; sample 1 = 5.3318 g, sample 2
= 5.3407 g, sample 3 = 5.3846 g, sample 4 = 5.2941 g, sample 5 = 5.3401 g, sample 6 =
5.3345 g, sample 7 = 5.2976 g, sample 8 = 5.2993 g, sample 9 = 5.3516 g, sample 10 =
5.3815 g, were recorded in the logbook. The values were arranged from lowest to highest.
Various statistical concepts were used to determine the reliability of each measurement.
Dixon’s Q test was used to reject any questionable result. Using the Dixon’s Q test for
outliers, the suspect values were H: 5.3846 and L: 3.2941. These two values were used to
obtain the Qexp which is equal to 0.038674 and the Qcrit which is equal to 0.412. Based on
this data, the students therefore accept the value 5.3846 at even 90% confidence interval.
Moreover, other statistical concepts such as Mean (5.33558), Standard deviation (0.032162),
Relative Standard Deviation (0.602787), and Confidence interval of the mean at 90%
confidence level (5.31693 – 5.354223) were used as statistical parameters or to determine the
reliability of each measurement.

c. Patterns

Various patterns were observed in this experiment. First, hotter materials weigh less than
their weight, when those same materials are measured at room temperature; while colder
materials tend to weigh more than when the materials were weighed at room temperature.
According to Skoog, West, Holler, & Crouch (2014), attempts to weigh an object whose
temperature is different from that of its surroundings will result in a significant error. This is
caused by convection currents within the balance case exert a buoyant effect on the pan and
object and warm air trapped in a closed container weighs less than the same volume at a
lower temperature. Both effects cause the apparent mass of the object to be low. Second,
materials when exposed to open air after some time would either increase its weight due to
moisture gain or it would weigh less than its initial weight (when it was immediately
measured after transfer) because of evaporation. The sample can expand or lose some of its
 “water weight” due to evaporation resulting to a lesser weight when it is measured again;
while the sample could contract or allow for the condensation of water in the sample’s
container causing it to gain weight (Hill, 2015). Lastly, when the weight of an
electrostatically charged material was measured the weight of said material increased. This is
because a negative charge on the measuring flask and a positive charge on the balance
housing cause a force to be exerted between the balance and the vessel. The vertical
component of this force adds to the weight of the flask and influences the weighing result
(Mettler Toledo; n.d.).

d. Guide question

Question1. Describe other means of getting the weight of NaCl using the same balance that you
used.

Weighing by difference was used to obtain the weight of the NaCl that was placed inside
a weighing bottle.

Question 2. Compare the two weights of NaOH obtained in (a) and in (b).

The weight of the NaOH after it was immediately transferred (0.97 g) was lesser than the
weight of the NaOH after some time (1.03 g). This is because the sample gained moisture after it
was exposed it was exposed to open air for some time.

Question 3. Which of these measurements do you think is more accurate? Justify your answer.

Weighing by difference is more accurate because it minimizes the chance of having

systematic error. In the experiment that was conducted, Table A2 the initial weight of the bottle
containing the sample sulfur is 135.66 g and when three spatulas of sulfur was transferred to a
watch glass the final weight of the container amounted to 134.98 which means that the weight of
the sample dispensed was 0.68 g. However, when the weight of the watch glass and the sample
was calculated, the true weight of the sample turned out to be 0.65 g because some of the sample
stuck to the spatula. Hence, weighing by difference is more accurate because it allows you to
know the exact weight of a given sample that made it out of the bottle and that was placed in the
watch glass.

Question 4. Make a crude generalization when to use weighing by difference or weighing by

addition.

The weighing by difference method is used when a series of samples of similar size are
weighed altogether. Moreover, it is used to know the precise amount of the sample transferred to
a container. For example, in Table 1A the weight of an empty weighing bottle is 1.02 g and when
the reagent was added their combined weight amounted to 2.19 g, to solve for the weight of the
reagent the weighing by difference technique should be used to minimize the chance of having
an error in getting the measurement of the true weight of the sample, which in this case is 1.17 g.
Meanwhile, the weighing by addition method is used when one wants to get the net weigh of two
objects or when one wants to know the original weight of an object, e.g., the initial weight of the
container before the reagent was transferred.

Question 5. Give a generalization of the effect of temperature on the weight of materials.

Based on the data obtained from the experiment, it was evident that temperature is a
factor that can affect the measurement of the weight of an object. Hotter materials tend to weigh
less than the weight of the material when it is at room temperature. On the other hand, colder
materials weigh more than the weight of an absolutely identical object when it is at room
temperature.

Question 6. Compare the weight of NaOH, EtOH and sulfur that you obtained from the weight
that you obtained in section A.2.a-c. Account for the difference in weight, if any.

The net weight of the of NaOH after some time amounted to 38.98 g (weight of watch
glass containing the sample) or 1.03 g of NaOH which is greater than the net weight of the
sample NaOH when it was weighed immediately after transfer (38.92 g weight of watch glass
containing the sample or 0.97 g of NaOH). This is due to moisture gain or because of
condensation of water in the sample which caused the sample NaOH to have a greater weight
after some time compared to when it was weighed immediately after transfer from its container.
On the other hand, EtOH had a lesser weight after some time, where its measured weight is equal
to 31.63 g weight of watch glass containing the sample (or 0 g of EtOH), compared to when it its
net weight immediately after transfer which was 31.78 g weight of watch glass containing the
sample (or 0.15 g of EtOH). The cause of the weight loss is due to evaporation. Sulfur, however,
has the same net weight of 39.03 g weight of watch glass containing the sample or 0.65 g of
sulfur immediately after transfer from its container or even after some time.

Question 7. Give a generalization of the effect of moisture gain or evaporation on the weight of
materials.

Moisture gain can affect a material or sample to gain weight when it is measured
again after some time because of the condensation of water in the material or sample; while
evaporation can cause lesser weight of a material or sample when it is reweighed after some time
because the material can lose some off its water weight.

Question 8. Give a generalization of the effect of weighing electrostatically charged materials on

its weight.

When electrostatically charged materials are weighed, it was observed that the measured
value was higher than the weight of uncharged materials.
V. Summary and Conclusion

Therefore, based on the experiment that was conducted, different techniques are utilized
in weighing the mass of a sample. Moreover, a precise and accurate result in weight
measurement can be achieved by carefully following the correct protocol and procedures and by
applying the appropriate methods in weighing samples.

Furthermore, it was observed that there are three factors present in this experiment that
can cause errors in the measurement of the weight of a material or reagent. Temperature is a
factor that can cause a significant error in the measurement of the weight of an object; hotter
materials tend to weigh less than the weight of the material when it is at room temperature while
colder materials weigh more than the weight of an absolutely identical object when it is at room
temperature. Moisture gain can affect a material or sample to gain weight when it is measured
again after some time because of the condensation of water in the material or sample; while
evaporation can cause lesser weight of a material when it is reweighed after some time because
the material can lose some off its water weight. Electrostatically charged material when
measured has a value higher than the weight of uncharged materials. Knowledge of these factors
in weighing errors is important to any lab personnel so that he or she can perform corrections
prior to weighing which will result to an increase in the accuracy in mass measurements.

Statistical tools were used to determine if the values obtained in this experiment are
reliable and to lessen errors in precision and accuracy of the data used.

VI. References/Literature cited (at least 3)

Skoog, D. A., West, D. M., Holler, F. J., & Crouch S. R. (2014). "Fundamentals of Analytical
Chemistry" 9th Ed.; Saunders College Publishing, New York.

Mettler Toledo. (n. d.). Electrostatic charges during weighing. Retrieved from
https://www.mt.com/sg/en/home/library/white-papers/laboratory-
weighing/excellence/electrostatic-charges-during-weighing.html. Date Retrieved:
September 01, 2018.

Hill, K. (2015). Factors affecting analytical balances. Retrieved from

https://www.scalesu.com/factors-affecting-analytical-balances/. Date Retrieved:
September 01, 2018