Summary

In this simulation, students will participate in a 10 question quiz. The quiz questions are each made of two parts, with the first part requiring the student to analyze an image of a graduated cylinder in order to report an accurate measurement. Students must use the correct number of digits based on the markings presented on the cylinder when reporting the measurement. In the second portion of the question the students will determine the uncertainty value of the graduated cylinder, again by analyzing its markings. The simulation is made up of several different sizes of graduated cylinders, each containing unique markings, so students will be challenged to analyze each individually

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
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Objectives

By the end of this simulation, students should be able to

• Explain how the accuracy of a measurement will change depending upon the measuring tool used to measure.
• Determine the correct measurement based on the markings on the device used.
• Identify the uncertainty value for a measurement based on the markings on a measurement device used.

Chemistry Topics

This simulation supports students’ understanding of

• Quantitative Chemistry
• Measurement
• SI Units
• Significant Figures
• Uncertainty

Time

Teacher Preparation: minimal

Lesson: 20-30 minutes

Materials

• Computer, tablet or phone with internet access
• https://teachchemistry.org/periodical/issues/september-2017/measuring-volume

Safety

• No specific safety precautions need to be observed for this activity.

Teacher Notes

• This simulation should be used after a teacher has introduced proper measurement techniques as well as determining uncertainty for a measurement device.
• Each quiz randomizes the order of 10 questions, so students should not have the same order of questions as a peer.
• The quiz accesses 15 possible questions, so that a student could repeat the quiz, if they are in need of additional practice, and would not be given the same 10 questions again.
• There are 3 different graduated cylinders used in the quiz:
  1. 10 ml graduated cylinder: markings are 0.1ml apart, meaning measurements using this device should be reported to the hundredths place (ex: 4.56ml). The uncertainty value for this volume graduated cylinder should always be +/-0.05ml.
  2. 100 ml graduated cylinder: markings are 1ml apart, meaning measurements using this device should be reported to the tenths place (ex: 12.4ml). The uncertainty value for this volume graduated cylinder should always be +/-0.5ml.
  3. 1000 ml graduated cylinder: markings are 10ml apart, meaning measurements using this device should be reported to the ones place (ex: 135ml). The uncertainty value for this volume graduated cylinder should always be +/-5ml.
• A hands-on lab from the AACT Library that may be used to further teacher this topic is Glassware Accuracy.
• There is no student handout associated with this simulation since the student will be given instructions, and answers both multiple choice and free-response answers using the simulation interface.
• The simulation can be found at either of the following links (note that students can access the simulation without an AACT login):
  1. https://teachchemistry.org/periodical/issues/september-2017/measuring-volume
  2. teachchemistry.org/volumequiz