Weighing Techniques
- Toploader
- Direct Weighing
- With nothing on the pan, set to zero by pressing the "on" button.
- Place weighing bottle, beaker, or vial on balance and set to zero again.
- Use a clean scoopula to transfer sample into container slowly, until you reach the desired mass.
- Indirect weighing (Weighing by difference)
- Place enough of the sample in a weighing bottle, put the lid on, and place on the scale. Record the mass.
- Take some out and place it in a different container (whatever you will be using for the experiment). Record the new mass.The difference in mass is the mass of the sample transferred.
- Continue this procedure until you have as much sample as you need.
- It is best to transfer small amounts at a time, so you do not take more than you need. You should not put excess sample back into the weighing bottle.
![toploader balance]()
Figure 1. A toploading balance![analytical balance]()
Figure 2. An analytical balance - Direct Weighing
- Analytical Balance
- Use the same procedure as with a toploader, remembering these additional points:
- Close all the doors before taking measurements.
- Remember the number of significant figures. It is higher than on a regular toploader.
- Use the same procedure as with a toploader, remembering these additional points:
For example, a 50 mL beaker 3 minutes after removal from a 110 degree oven weighs 27.0271 g. At room temperature, it weighs 27.0410 g.