Lesson 3 of 5 · Lab Skills
Experiment⭐ 30 XPAccurate Measurement of Volume and Mass
Lab Skills.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.
Mind = Blown
🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.
What You'll Learn
Read a liquid volume at the bottom of the meniscus with your eye level with the mark. Use a pipette for a fixed accurate volume and a burette for a variable one. Weighing by difference — before and after transfer — avoids the error left by residue in the boat.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- beaker
- measuring cylinder
- pipette and filler
- balance
- water
Safety First
- Use a pipette filler, never mouth suction.
- Check glassware for chips before use.
Steps
Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.
Measure 25 cm³ of water with a beaker, a measuring cylinder and a pipette, weighing each delivery. Compare each mass against the expected 25 g and rank the three methods by accuracy.
Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.
Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2A liquid volume should be read at the:
Where you see this in real life
This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.
For the dinner table
“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Ready?
Accurate Measurement of Volume and Mass
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
Full screen — no distractions
Checkout complete lesson on Lab Skills for 10th Grade
Get the full Lab Skills track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.