ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Laboratory Formal Report

Basic Laboratory Techniques

Abigail Monis
Adamson University, Manila, Philippines

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article history:
Date Performed: February 7, 2020 This experiment is conducted to have a familiarization with the different
Date Submitted: February 21, 2020
types of laboratory glasswares and their uses, basic statistics, use of
analytical balance, making aqueous solutions, and accurate delivering
of aliquot and dilution. Proper techniques in weighing and diluting
solutions were done to calculate the concentration of the solution. The
Keywords: student weighed the solute with 0.3987 g NaCl, diluted in 500 mL water
Analytical Balance, Laboratory
Techniques, Aliquot, Dilution, Standard and computed its concentration with a result of 0.01364 M. Afterwhich,
Reagents it is transferred as an aliquot to another 500 mL water and resulted to
2.728x10-4 M concentration. Therefore, the concentration varies
depending on its molarity and amount of solute. Higher molarity means
higher concentration and vice versa.

1.0 INTRODUCTION There are other types of balances that can be used to
Basic laboratory techniques are essential in working at weigh masses such as equal arm balance, a laboratory scale with
the laboratory. According to David Wood, lab techniques are two pans on the opposite sides of a lever. Triple beam balance is
practices that are suggested to be used in handling various a top loading balance that is less sensitive than analytical
laboratory equipment. An example of lab equipment commonly balance. (Grainger, 2019)
used in the laboratory is the analytical balance (Fig. 1), a highly
sensitive instrument used to accurately measure mass up to the
fourth decimal place. It is best used in measuring small
quantities of mass and recommended to be used to weigh certain
Figure 2. equal arm balance
chemicals before making standard solutions.

Figure 3. Triple beam balance

According to Anna Helmenstine (2018), Volumetric
flask (Fig. 2) is a laboratory apparatus used in preparing standard
Figure 1. Analytical Balance solutions and dilutions. Dilution is the process of reducing the
concentration of solute by adding more solvent in a solution.
Laboratory Formal Report #1 Page 1
 2.3 Procedures
A. Weighing of standard reagents
1. Using the analytical balance, weigh the weighing bottle
for solid samples.
2. Press TARE to make sure that the instrument will not
Figure 4. Volumetric Flask include the weight of the container.
On the other hand, aliquot is a volume of liquid that is a 3. Weigh accurately 0.400 g of NaCl powder. The
part of a larger volume usually taken using a serological pipette reading of the weight should not exceed to ±0.0030 g.
from the flask. If it exceeds, the excess or unused chemicals should
not be returned to the reagent bottles because it may
lead to contamination. Instead, place it to another
chemical waste container.
4. Close the balance glass door and note the weight of
NaCl.
Figure 5. Serological Pipette
5. Transfer the contents in a 150 mL beaker.
To calculate the concentration of a solution:
B. Preparation and storage of standard solutions
moles of solute
Molarity= (Equation 1) 1. Dissolve the NaCl powder in 500 mL distilled water
Liters of solution
and transfer it to a volumetric flask.
M1V1=M2V2 (Equation 2)
2. Put a stopper on the volumetric flask and invert the
Where, M= Molarity; V= Volume of Solution
glassware up and down.
This experiment’s main objective is to familiarize the
3. Put the diluted solution in a reagent bottle, then label
student with the common laboratory equipment and their uses,
the solution. Calculate the concentration of the solution.
and making standard solutions, dilution and aliquots.
C. Delivering an aliquot and dilution
1. Transfer accurately a 10 mL aliquot from the previous
2.0 Methodology
solution into a 500 mL volumetric flask.
2.1 Materials and Equipment
2. Put a stopper on the volumetric flask and invert the
The materials and equipment used in the experiment are
glassware up and down.
NaCl powder, distilled water, analytical balance, reagent bottles,
3. Put the diluted solution in a reagent bottle, then label
beaker, stirring rod, 500mL volumetric flask with stopper, Small
the solution. Calculate the concentration of the solution.
glass funnel, Pasteur pipette, and serological pipette.
3.0 Results and Discussion
2.2 Instrumentation Setup
A. Weighing of standard reagents
Weight of NaCl(g) 0.3987 g
In the experiment, the student weighed 0.3987 g of
NaCl which is close and still acceptable to the required
value, 0.400 g, since it doesn’t exceed to the given
standard deviation of ±0.0030 g.
B. Preparation of standard solutions and dilution
Molarity of NaCl 0.01364 M
Figure 6. Standard Solutions: Dilution and Aliquot
solution
Applying equation 1, the molarity of NaCl solution is
computed by dividing the weight of NaCl (0.3987 g) to
its molar mass of 58.44 g/mol to get the mole of the

Laboratory Formal Report #1 Page 2

 solute and divided again by the volume of the solution
Eni Generalic, F. of C. and T. (n.d.). CHEMISTRY
(0.500 L). Thus, the molarity of the solution is 0.01364
GLOSSARY. Retrieved from
M. https://glossary.periodni.com/glossary.php?en=aliquot
C. Delivering aliquot
Types of Balances and Scales, Common Terms & Care -
Molarity of NaCl 2.728x10-4 M Grainger Industrial Supply. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.grainger.com/know-how/equipment-
solution
information/kh-laboratory-balance-scale-types-care-terms
Using equation 2, the molarity of the NaCl solution was
computed by multiplying the molarity in the standard
solution and dilution (O.01364 M) and its the
corresponding volume (0.01000 L) divided by the V2
equals to 0.5000 L. Thus, the molarity of the NaCl in
aliquot is 2.728x10-4M.

4.0 Conclusion

The experiment utilized the use of different laboratory

apparatus and equipment, specifically the use of analytical
balance and various glassware such as volumetric flask and
pipettes, to have an accurate and precise results in performing
techniques and procedures in the laboratory. The data presented
show that the concentration of a solution varies depending on the
amount of solute in the solution. The second solution resulted to
a smaller molarity than the first one therefore, an aliquot solution
has less concentration than that of the first diluted solution.
Familiarization in the basic statistical methods should
also be developed to be able to have an accurate result. Human
errors such as improper handling and usage of equipment should
be avoided for it may result to scarcity of experiment’s data that
may lead to negative outcomes.

References

Wood, D. (n.d.). Basic Laboratory Techniques. Retrieved from

https://study.com/academy/lesson/basic-laboratory-
techniques.html

Equipment, A. (2019, June 19). Adam Equipment. Retrieved

from https://www.adamequipment.com/aeblog/what-are-
analytical-balances

Helmenstine, A. M. (2018, August 4). What You Need to Know

About Volumetric Flasks. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-volumetric-flask-
605783

Chemistry Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.chemicool.com/definition/dilution.html
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