2: Analytical Balances

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 361501

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

Analytical balances are used to measure the mass of a substance. The instructions describe the use of the balances in the Science Lab Building rooms 270 & 280. Always record your data to the precision of your instrument. If you are told to weigh 2 grams and the precision of your instrument is 100 \(\mu\)g, report it as 2.0000g.

The analytical balance measures the mass of substances to within 0.0001 g

Never pour chemicals on the balance, always use a weighing boat or weighing paper.

Step 1

The balance must be dry and contain no extraneous materials that may affect the accuracy of the measurement.
Place the weighing paper onto the balance pan and close the side doors. To make sure the weight is stable, wait for the mass to stop changing or for a green triangle to appear.
Press the “tare” button to recalibrate the balance to read 0.0000g. This prevents the mass of the weighing container from being included in the measurement

Step 2

-Open the door and use a spatula to add the substance up to the desired mass. NEVER PLACE CHEMICALS ON THE BALANCE PAN

-Once again, close the door and then record the mass once the scale has stabilized.

Step 3

-After finishing the measurements, brush the area around the balance pan to clean it of any remaining substance particles or spills.

-Properly discard the weighing paper.

-Keep the balance room clean!