Summary

In this activity, students will complete several hands-on measurements, using a variety of common measuring tools. They will carefully consider how to properly report each measurement based on the tool used. Students will then complete measurement conversions, and apply their knowledge of significant figures.

Grade Level

High and Middle School

NGSS Alignment

This activity will help prepare your students to meet the performance expectations in the following standards:

• Scientific and Engineering Practices:
  • Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Objectives

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• Identify common laboratory equipment.
• Understand how to perform dimensional analysis.
• Apply the conversions needed to switch between metric units and English units.
• Estimation of data based on measuring devices
• Demonstrate accuracy and precision in measurement by using significant figures based on a particular measurement device.

Chemistry Topics

This activity supports students’ understanding of:

• Measurement
• Accuracy
• Precision
• Significant Figures
• English Units
• Metric Units
• Conversion Factors
• Dimensional Analysis

Time

Teacher Preparation: 10 minutes
Lesson: 30 minutes

Materials

• Pencil or pen
• Ruler with inches
• Paper clip
• Electronic balances
• Erlenmeyer flask
• Graduated cylinders (various sizes)
• Beaker
• Water
• Thermometer
• Metal sample (irregular object/size)
• Calculator

Safety

• Always wear safety goggles when handling chemicals in the lab.
• Students should wash their hands thoroughly before leaving the lab.
• When students complete the lab, instruct them how to clean up their materials and dispose of any chemicals.

Teacher Notes

• This lab is designed to be set up as six stations. Using stations reduces the need for a lot of materials, and reduces the setup time. Alternatively, this activity can be reconfigured by providing each group with everything that is needed to perform the activity.
• Prior to this activity, I have already taught the students about metric conversions and dimensional analysis. In addition, the students have already learned about significant figures and how to record measurements using significant figures based on the particular measuring device being used. It’s important that students understand that the marks on the measuring device will determine the specific number of digits in a measurement.
• I make my students memorize time conversion factors (seconds to minutes to hours to days to weeks to years) because I consider that to be a life skill. Depending on the conversion information that you may or may not provide to your students, you can edit the student handout as needed.
• Students should solve the conversion problems using dimensional analysis.
• The metal sample used in Station 6 can be any irregular solid that the students need to use water displacement to determine the volume. I use a sample of zinc when I use this activity. Other items like a metal
• An answer key (using sample data) has been provided for teacher reference.