Oregon State University CH 26x Burand

Glassware Accuracy and Uncertainty

Michael W. Burand, Oregon State University Department of Chemistry

Alyssa Johnson, Oregon State University Department of Chemistry

Paige Mandelare, Oregon State University Department of Chemistry

Adapted from a laboratory activity by Michelle Driessen, University of Minnesota Department of

Chemistry

Introduction
Chemistry laboratory work typically requires frequent use of volume measurement devices. This project
is designed to provide familiarity with the uses and accuracy of many common pieces of laboratory
glassware that will be used throughout the CH 26x laboratory series and many future chemistry courses.

Making Measurements with Glassware

Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, a piece of glassware is accurate to one more decimal
place than is indicated by the marks shown. For example, on the graduated cylinder shown below in
Figure 1, the volume would be reported to 0.1 mL because that is the value that is estimated visually. A
student would likely record this measurement as 36.5 mL, but other students may record 36.4 mL or
36.6 mL. All of these would be acceptable, since it is assumed there is an uncertainty of ±1 in the last
recorded digit.

Figure 1: The volume in this graduated cylinder should be recorded as 36.5 mL. Image: https://www.cpib.ac.uk/lab-fab/the-
problem-of-the-meniscus/

For this project, it is important you read glassware measurements properly! For additional discussion,
see Chemistry: Structure and Properties, Second Edition by Tro, section E.3: The Reliability of a
Measurement.

1
Oregon State University CH 26x Burand

The main points to consider when making measurements with glassware are listed below:

 Precision
 Accuracy
 Percent error

Precision and accuracy are important when making measurements in the laboratory. Accuracy is how
close a measured value is to the actual value that is desired. Precision refers to how close a series of
measurements are to one another. For example, in Figure 2 each student makes four measurements.
While Student B is precise (similar values measured), this student is not accurate because the average is
not very near 10.00 g.

Figure 2: Examples of accuracy and precision. Image: Chemistry: Structure and Properties, Second Edition by Tro.

Accuracy may be described in two ways, qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative involves the use of
descriptive terms to explain accuracy, such as “This is accurate.” As scientists, however, we want to be
able to use a quantitative measure to support our results. A quantitative measure is typically in the form
of a numerical answer and in the case of accuracy percent error is used. The equation for percent error
is:

Experimental Value − Theoretical Value

Percent Error = � � × 100%
Theoretical Value

where the experimental value is the measurement taken in the laboratory, and the theoretical value is
the actual value.

Significant Figures and Their Importance

Significant figures are non-place-holding digits that report a measurement. For example, 0.000063 g.
The zeros before the digit 6 are not considered significant because the number may be written in a way
that removes these zeros; i.e., instead of 0.000063 g this value may be written in scientific notation as
6.3 × 10−5 g. The more significant figures present, the more accurate the measurement. For a more

2
Oregon State University CH 26x Burand

thorough discussion of significant figures see Chemistry: Structure and Properties, Second Edition by Tro,
section E.3: The Reliability of a Measurement.

Types of Glassware
In this project, you will be examining various types of laboratory glassware. The table below provides a
summary as to what each glassware type is typically used for.

Glassware Type Typical Uses

Beaker Used to measure approximate volume as well as to hold mix, stir, heat, and pour
liquids. Also used to temporarily store liquids and solids during an experiment.
Burette Used for titrations to precisely measure the amount of a solution dispensed to
reach the endpoint of a titration (typically between 0.00 mL and 50.00 mL).
Erlenmeyer flask Used to hold, mix, stir, and heat solutions. Designed with a low center of gravity
to be more stable.
Graduated cylinder Provides more precise measurements of liquid volumes. Also used to measure
the volumes of irregularly shaped objects by water displacement.
Test tube Used to hold, mix, or heat small quantities of liquids or solids.
Volumetric flask Used to make a solution of a specific concentration by having a precise total
volume of solution, such as 10.00 mL or 25.00 mL.
Volumetric pipette Used to dispense a specific amount of liquid with a precise total volume, such as
10.00 mL or 25.00 mL.

Criteria for Completing the Project

You will complete three scenarios that incorporate various pieces of glassware commonly used in the CH
26x series. You will use the mass of water to determine the actual volume you obtained versus the
volume measured using the glassware. For each scenario you will need an organized table to show the
data you have collected. Below is an example of some of the headings you should include in your data
table.

Glassware Name Measured Volume of Mass of Water (g) Volume of Percent Error
Water (mL) Water (mL)

Note that for our purposes, we will assume the density of water is 1.000 g/mL. So, the Mass of Water
(g) and Volume of Water (mL) columns in our table will have the same value. In reality, the density of
water varies slightly with temperature, but we will not concern ourselves with that level of detail here.

Part 1
Determine the accuracy of each of the following pieces of glassware; in other words, you should report
how many decimal places should be used when measuring a volume with each. (Hint: You should use the
manufacturers’ markings on the glassware to determine this.) Record this information in your laboratory
notebook and rank the following glassware from least accurate to most accurate.

3
Oregon State University CH 26x Burand

a. 600-mL beaker
b. 50-mL beaker
c. 50-mL volumetric flask
d. 2-mL volumetric pipette
e. 50-mL burette
f. 10-mL graduated cylinder

Part 2
For each piece of glassware determine the actual volume of water and the percent error. You will
measure 25.0 mL of water with each piece of glassware listed below. Do not weigh burettes or pipettes
on the analytical balances!

a. Burette
b. Volumetric pipette
c. Volumetric flask (Your TA will have these available for you)
d. Beaker

Part 3
Using a 10-mL graduated cylinder, measure the following volumes of water and determine the percent
error:

a. 8.0 mL
b. 70.0 mL (note that you will have to refill the graduated cylinder several times to obtain
70.0 mL).

Now repeat parts a and b above using the 100 mL graduated cylinder. Did you find any differences in
percent error? Which graduated cylinder is best suited to each volume?

Safety Considerations
 Glassware is fragile and should be handled carefully. If anything breaks, inform your TA
immediately so it can be cleaned up safely.
 As always, proper laboratory attire must be worn, no matter what substances are being handled
in the laboratory.

Waste
 No chemicals other than water will be used, so all solutions may be rinsed down the drain.

Useful Equipment, Techniques, and Concepts

 Significant figures; see the Significant Figures: Rules and Tools! document available via Canvas
 Analytical balances (Note: Do not use an analytical balance to try to determine the mass of a
burette!); be sure to ask your TA if you have any questions about how to use the balance
 Uncertainty in measurements

4
Oregon State University CH 26x Burand

 Chemistry: Structure and Properties, Second Edition by Tro, section E.3: The Reliability of a
Measurement

Planning Questions
1. Imagine that we are trying to hit the bullseye (the center of the circle). For each of the figures
A–D, determine the accuracy (high or low) and the precision (high or low).

A B C D
2. What glassware do you think is the most accurate out of the following?
a. Beaker
b. Burette
c. Volumetric Flask
d. Volumetric Pipette

Summary Questions
1. What specific piece of glassware would be most appropriate to use to:
a. Add approximately 50 mL water to a reaction vessel?
b. Make 50.00 mL of a 1 M NaNO3 solution?
c. Measure, as accurately as feasible, the amount of solution required to do a
neutralization, assuming it will be around 30 mL?
2. Your results likely indicated that a 10.00-mL volumetric pipette is significantly more accurate
than a 10-mL graduated cylinder. So when would be OK to use a graduated cylinder in the
laboratory? When would this not be OK?
3. In the project description, you were instructed to simply assume the density of water as 1.000
g/mL. In fact, at 22 °C (typical room temperature), the density of water is 0.9978 g/mL. Redo
your volumetric flask calculation using this density value. Did this change your result?