Laboratory Measurements

What are the three parts to any measurement according to the document?

• Accuracy, precision, and error

• Mass, length, and volume

• Magnitude, scale, and uncertainty

• Significant figures, experimental error, and equipment

Why is skill required in the laboratory according to the introduction?

• To conduct experiments quickly

• To minimize errors and understand the limitations of measurements

• To memorize the significant figures

• To use the largest possible number of measurements

What should the numerical value of a laboratory measurement always be recorded with?

• The highest possible number of figures

• The proper number of significant figures

• An estimate of the volume or mass

• The maximum capacity of the instrument

When using a ruler marked in millimeters, to what should the length be estimated?

• To the nearest 1 mm

• To the nearest 0.2 or 0.5 mm

• To the nearest 10 mm

• To the exact millimeter without estimation

What is considered too precise when recording the volume of liquid in a 10-mL graduated cylinder?

• Estimating the volume to the nearest 0.1 mL

• Estimating the volume to the nearest 1 mL

• Recording the volume as 8.3 mL

• Recording the volume as 8.325 mL

What do the dartboard targets in the image illustrate?

• The concept of significant figures

• The difference between accuracy and precision

• The method of measuring volume

• The types of experimental errors

What is precision in the context of measurements?

• How close the measured value is to another measured value

• How close the measured value is to the true value

• The uncertainty of the measuring device

• The closeness with which several measurements of the same quantity agree

What are experimental errors that do not result from carelessness, mistakes, or incorrect procedure called?

• Systematic errors

• Blunders

• Experimental errors

• Human errors

What is the main purpose of using a pipet in a laboratory setting?

• To heat liquids to a specified temperature

• To deliver a specified volume of liquid

• To measure the weight of a liquid

• To mix different liquids together

When reading the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder, where should you read the level of the liquid?

• At the top of the meniscus

• At the midpoint of the meniscus

• At the bottom of the meniscus

• Just above the meniscus