mathematics and graphing in chemistry lab 1. outline mathematics in chemistry units rounding digits...

Mathematics and Graphing in Chemistry

Lab 1

Outline Mathematics in Chemistry Units Rounding Digits of Precision (Addition and Subtraction) Significant Figures (Multiplication and Division) Order of Operations Mixed Orders Scientific Notation Logarithms and Antilogarithms Algebraic Equations Averages Graphing

Mathematics in Chemistry

Math is a very important tool, used in all of the sciences to model results and explain observations.

Chemistry in particular requires a lot of calculations before even trivial experiments can be performed. In this first exercise you will be introduced to some of the very basic calculations you will be required to perform in lab during the entire semester.

Remember, if you start memorizing rules and formulas now, you don’t have to do it the night before your exams!

Units

Units are very important! Units give dimension to numbers. They also allow us to use dimensional analysis in

our calculations. If a unit belongs next to a number, place it there!!! Example: 6.23 mL The unit “mL” indicates to us that our measurement

is a metric system volume and indicates to us the order of magnitude of that volume.

Common units, equations, and conversions are given on p. 30 of your lab manual.

Rounding

When you have to round to a certain number, to obey significant figure rules, remember to do the following:

For numbers 1 through 4 in the rounding position, round down For numbers 6 through 9 in the rounding position, round up For numbers with a terminal 5 in the rounding position, round to the

nearest even number. 0.01255 rounded to three significant digits becomes 0.01260.01265 rounded to three significant digits becomes 0.01260.01275 rounded to three significant digits becomes 0.01280.012851 rounded to three significant digits becomes ?

Why is this method statistically more correct?

Rounding

When you have to round to a certain number, to obey significant figure rules, remember to do the following:

For numbers 1 through 4 in the rounding position, round down For numbers 6 through 9 in the rounding position, round up For numbers with a terminal 5 in the rounding position, round to the

nearest even number. 0.01255 rounded to three significant digits becomes 0.01260.01265 rounded to three significant digits becomes 0.01260.01275 rounded to three significant digits becomes 0.01280.012851 rounded to three significant digits becomes ? 0.0129

Why is this method statistically more correct?

Digits of Precision and Significant Figures All measurements have some degree of

uncertainty due to limitations of measuring devices.

Scientists have come up with a set of rules we can follow to easily specify the exact digits of precision and amount of significant figures, without sacrificing the accuracy of the measuring devices.

Digits of Precision:Addition and Subtraction

Your answer must contain the same number of digits after the decimal point as the

number with the least number of digits after the decimal point.

104.07 + 209.7852 + 1.113 = 314.97

Addition and Subtraction

205.12234

– 72.319

+ 4.7

= 137.48334 137.5

Addition of Whole NumbersWhen you add or subtract whole numbers, your answer cannot be more accurate than any of your individual terms.

20 + 34 + 2400 – 100 = 2400Limited to the hundreds position

What about:319 + 870 + 34,650 = ?

Addition of Whole NumbersWhen you add or subtract whole numbers, your answer cannot be more accurate than any of your individual terms.

20 + 34 + 2400 – 100 = 2400

What about: 319 + 870 + 34,650 = ?

The answer is 35,840

Limited to the tens position.

Significant Figures Rule #1

Numbers with an infinite number of significant digits do not limit calculations. These numbers are found

in definite relationships, otherwise known as conversion factors.

100 cm = 1 m

1000 mL = 1 L

Significant Figures Rule #2

All non-zero digits are significant.

1.23 has 3 significant figures

98,832 has 5 significant figures

How many significant digits does 34.21 have?

Significant Figures Rule #2

All non-zero digits are significant.

1.23 has 3 significant figures98,832 has 5 significant figures

How many significant digits does 34.21 have?

Correct! The answer is 4.

Significant Figures Rule #3

The number of significant figures is independent of the decimal point.

12.3, 1.23, 0.123 and 0.0123 have 3 significant figures

0.0004381 and 0.4381 have how many significant figures?

Significant Figures Rule #3

The number of significant figures is independent of the decimal point.

12.3, 1.23, 0.123 and 0.0123 have 3 significant figures

0.0004381 and 0.4381 have how many significant figures?

Correct! The answer is 4.

Significant Figures Rule #4

Zeros between non-zero digits are significant.

1.01, 10.1, 0.00101 have 3 significant figures.

How many significant digits are in 10,101?

Significant Figures Rule #4

Zeros between non-zero digits are significant.

1.01, 10.1, 0.00101 have 3 significant figures.

How many significant digits are in 10,101?

The answer is 5!

Significant Figures Rule #5

After the decimal point, zeros to the right of non-zero digits are significant.

0.00500 has 3 significant figures 0.030 has 2 significant figures.

How many significant figures are in 34.1800?

Significant Figures Rule #5

After the decimal point, zeros to the right of non-zero digits are significant.

0.00500 has 3 significant figures 0.030 has 2 significant figures.

How many significant figures are in 34.1800?

The answer is 6. Right again.

Significant Figures Rule #6

If there is no decimal point present, zeros to the right of non-zero digits are not significant.

3000, 50000, 20 all have only 1 significant figure

How many significant figures are in 32,000,000?

Significant Figures Rule #6

If there is no decimal point present, zeros to the right of non-zero digits are not significant.

3000, 50000, 20 all have only 1 significant figure

How many significant figures are in 32,000,000?

The answer is 2!

Significant Figures Rule #7

Zeros to the left of non-zero digits are never significant.

0.0001, 0.002, 0.3 all have only 1 significant figure

How many significant figures are in 0.0231?

How many significant figures are in 0.02310?

Significant Figures Rule #7

Zeros to the left of non-zero digits are never significant.

0.0001, 0.002, 0.3 all have only 1 significant figure

How many significant figures are in 0.0231?

This one has 3 significant digits.

How many significant figures are in 0.02310?

This one has 4 significant digits.

Significant Figures: Multiplication and Division

Your answer must contain the same number of significant digits as the number with the

least number of significant digits.

5.10 x 6.213 x 5.425 = 172

Significant Figures: Multiplication and Division

= 76.016 76205.244

2.7

Order of operations

1st: ( ), x2, square roots

2nd: x or /

3rd: + or –

Significant Figures: Mixed Orders

23

99

99 23

29.104(21.009 x 0.0032) 1.42

34.2

(21.009 x 0.0032) 0.067

29.1040.850

34.2

0.850 0.067 1.42 2.20

Scientific NotationThe three main items required for numbers to be represented in scientific notation are:

the correct number of significant figures one non-zero digit before the decimal point,

and the rest of the significant figures after the decimal point

this number must be multiplied by 10 raised to some exponential power

123 becomes 1.23 x 102

This number has three significant digits

Scientific Notation Calculators could be a significant aid in

performing calculations in scientific notation.

KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR CALCULATORDoes your calculator retain or suppress zeros

in its display? In converting between scientific and

decimal notation, the number of significant digits don’t change.

Scientific Notation

What is the scientific notation equivalent of 0.0432?

1043.50?

What is the standard decimal notation equivalent of 3.45 x 103?

6.500 x 10-2?

Scientific Notation What is the scientific notation equivalent of

0.0432? The answer is 4.32 x 10-2

1043.50? The answer is 1.04350 x 103

What is the standard decimal notation equivalent of 3.45 x 103?

This is 3450

6.500 x 10-2? This is 0.06500

Scientific Notation Calculations

Addition: (4.22 x 105) + (3.97 x 106)= (4.22 x 105) + (39.7 x 105)= (4.22 + 39.7) x 105

= 43.9 x 105

= 4.39 x 106

Know how to perform these types of calculations on your calculator!

Scientific Notation Calculations

Subtraction: (4.22 x 105) - (3.97 x 106)= (4.22 x 105) - (39.7 x 105)= (4.22 – 39.7) x 105

= -35.5 x 105

= -3.55 x 106

Know how to perform these types of calculations on your calculator!

Scientific Notation Calculations

Multiplication:

(4.22 x 105) x (3.97 x 106)

= (4.22 x 3.97) x 10(5+6)

= 16.8 x 1011

= 1.68 x 1012

Know how to perform these types of calculations on your calculator!

Scientific Notation Calculations

Division:

(4.22 x 105) / (3.97 x 106)

= (4.22 / 3.97) x 10(5-6)

= 1.06 x 10-1

Know how to perform these types of calculations on your calculator!

Logarithms

Logarithms might seem strange, but they are nothing more than another way of representing exponents.

logbx = y is the same thing as x = by

Know how to use your calculator to perform these functions.

Logarithms

We see logarithms frequently when working with pH chemistry. If you have a solution of pH 5.2, and you need to calculate the concentration of hydrogen ions, set the problem up as follows:

pH = - log [H+]5.2 = - log [H+]-5.2 = log [H+]10-5.2 = 10log [H+]

10-5.2 = [H+][H+] = 6 x 10-6

Logs and Antilogs

To enter log 100 on your calculator: Press: log 1 0 0 Enter

or Press: 1 0 0 log for reverse entry

To enter the antilog 2 on your calculator: Press: 2nd log 2 Enter

or Press: 2 2nd log for reverse entry

Did you notice anything?

Significant Figure Rules

Logarithms

log (4.21 x 1010) = 10.6242821 10.624

Antilogarithms

antilog (- 7.52) = 10-7.52 = 3.01995 x 10-8 3.0 x 10-8

Significant Figures of EquipmentElectronics

Always report all the digits electronic equipment gives you.

When calibrating a probe, the digits of precision of your calibration values determine the digits of precision of the output of the data.

Algebraic Equations It is important to understand how to manipulate algebraic equations to determine unknowns and to interpolate and extrapolate data.

Don’t forget about significant figures.

For y = 1.0783 x + 0.0009

If x = 0.021, find y (answer = 0.024)

If y = 4.3, find x (answer = 4.0)

Graphing

Graphing is an important tool used to represent experimental outcomes and to set up calibration curves.

It is a modeling device.

Graphing: Variables

Having no fixed quantitative value.X-variableY-variable

Graphing in chemistryRenamed with a chemistry labelPaired with a unit most of the time

Graphing: Units

Give dimension to labels / variables Give meaning to numbers Essential!

Graphing: Coordinates

A coordinate set consists of an x-value and y-value, plotted as a point on a graph.

X-values: domain (independent variable) Y-values: range (dependent variable)

Graphing: Axes

Multiple axes on a graph Coordinate sets determine the number of

axes on a plot Two dimensional graphs have only two

axesX-axisY-axis

Each axis must have a consistent scale

Graphing in Chemistry

Graph title reflects the:

Dependent vs. Independent variables X-axis – labeled appropriately with

variable and unit Y-axis – labeled appropriately with variable

and unit Each axis has a consistent scale

Graphing in Chemistry

Coordinate sets are plotted x-variable matching the x-value on the x-axisy-variable matching the y-value on the y-axisA single point results

A line is drawn through all the points An equation is derived from two coordinate

sets The equation is used to find unknowns

Graphing: Equations

Of the form y = mx + bm = slope of the graphb = y-intercept of the graphx = any x-value from the graphy = corresponding y-coordinate

Your manual has sample calculations to derive the slope and y-intercept from two coordinate sets

Graphing

Let’s look at the following data:

[Ni2+], M Absorbance

0.200 0.041

0.300 0.063

0.400 0.085

0.500 0.101

Graphing

y = 0.20 x + 0.002

0.0400.0500.0600.0700.0800.0900.1000.110

0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350 0.400 0.450 0.500

Ab

sorb

an

ce

[Ni2+], M

Absorbance vs. [Ni2+], M

GraphingWhat is the title of the previous graph?Which variable is plotted on the x-axis?What is the unit of that variable?Which variable is plotted on the y-axis?What is the unit of that variable?What is the equation of the regression line?What is the slope of the equation? And unit?What is the y-intercept of the equation? And unit?