Locker #47

Date: June 20, 2023

Members: 1.) Salahuddin, Queenie
2.) Jipani, Diana
3.) Pailan, Raisa

Activity #4
Determination of Densities

Introduction:
Density refers to the measurement of mass per unit volume of a substance or object. It
is calculated by dividing the mass of an object by its volume. The unit expressed in the resulting
values is usually as kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m 3) or depending on the system of
measurement used. Density is a crucial property used in scientific, industrial, and everyday
contexts to characterize, differentiate, and understand the behavior of various substances and
materials.

Objectives:
1. To properly execute the ways on measuring the object’s volume and mass without
error.
2. To accurately determine and classify different materials based on their unique density
values, allowing for identification and differentiation between substances.

Results and Discussion:

Data 1: Density of Liquid
1.1 Unknown Liquid Sample
Mass of dry, empty cylinder 26.6 g
Mass of cylinder and liquid sample 31 g
Mass of liquid sample 4.4 g
Volume of Liquid 5 ml
Experimental density of the liquid 0.88 g/ml

To calculate for the density of an unknow liquid in a cylinder, you need to know the
exact measurement of the volume and mass of the liquid. In this case, since liquid cannot be
measured in the triple beam balance alone. You have to measure first the cylinder in dry and
empty state in order to have a basis on the mass of the cylinder when liquid is poured. Then
subtract the mass of the cylinder to the mass of the cylinder with a liquid to get the mass of the
liquid sample. The volume of the liquid is measured exactly in the cylinder. Lastly, to determine
the density of the liquid is to divide the mass by its volume. In this case, the mass of the liquid
sample is 4.4g and the volume is 5 ml which resulted in 0.88g/ml.
= m/v
= 4.4g / 5ml
= 0.88 g/ml

Data 2: Densities of Solid

2.1: Irregular- Shaped Solid
Mass of the empty watch glass 36.2 g
Mass of watch glass and solid (Marble) 42 g
Mass of solid 5.8 g
Initial Volume of water in cylinder 25 ml
Final Volume of water in cylinder 27 ml
Volume of solid 2 ml
Density of Unknown solid 2.9 g/ml

The process of determining the density is the same with the date 1. First, determine the
mass of an empty watch glass and the watch glass with marble. This is to have a basis on getting
the mass of the marble it self since marble is circle, it will not stay on one place. To determine
the mass of the marble, subtract the mass of the empty watch glass to the watch glass with the
marble on it.
In determining the initial volume of the water in cylinder, measure the liquid alone in the
graduated cylinder. Then, submerged the marble inside the cylinder in order to get the final
volume of water in cylinder. The volume of the water increased as the marble is submerged on
the water. From the initial volume of liquid with 25 ml to the final volume of the liquid as the
marble is submerged in the water with 27 ml. In order to get the result of the total volume, you
have to subtract the final volume to the initial volume:
V= Vf – Vi
V= 27ml – 25ml
V= 2 ml
In order to calculate for the density of the unknown solid, divide the mass of the marble which
is 5.8 g to the total volume of the water with marble on it which is 2ml. The result will be 2.9
g/ml
=m/v
= 5.8 g – 2 ml
= 2.9 g/ml

Questions and Answers:

1. How can water displacement be used to measure the density of an irregularly shaped solid?
 Water displacement is useful method in measuring the density of irregularly shaped
solids because it allows you to indirectly determine the volume by measuring the
displacement of water. In order to do that, you have to record the initial volume of
water by filling the cylinder with water. Then, carefully submerged the object to the
water and record the volume of the water as it increased due to the mass of the object.
Finally, subtract the final to initial volume to get the volume of the water. Then measure
the mass of the object and divide it in the total volume and the result is the density of
the water with the object.
2. If the mass of a solid is 50.2 g and its volume is 5 ml, what is its density? Express the density
in the correct number of significant figures.
 Formula: =m/v
 Data: Mass of solid= 50.2g, Volume=5ml
 = 50.2g / 5ml
 = 10.04 g/ml

3. Indicate how each of the following affects your calculated density;

(a) Part of the specimen sticks out of the water;
 When part of the specimen sticks out of the water, it will result in an underestimated
volume and consequently, an overestimated density calculation. In which lead to
inaccuracy of the measurement.

(b) An air bubble is trapped under the specimen in the graduated cylinder;
 When an air bubble is trapped under the specimen in the graduated cylinder, it occupies
space that should be filled with water. This leads to an incorrect measurement of the
specimen, resulting in inaccurate density calculation. The presence of the of the air
bubble reduces the effective volume of the specimen, leading to a lower density value
than actual value.

(c) Alcohol (density, 0.79 g/cc) is inadvertently substituted for water (density, 100g/cc) in the
graduated cylinder.
 The result will be underestimated in density calculation, this is because the lower
density of alcohol will lead to a lower mass measurement, leading to higher volume of
measurement and consequently, a lower calculated density value compared to the
actual density of the liquid being measured.

4.) Suppose the metal piece were hollow. Would this affect your result?
 Yes, a hollow piece of metal can potentially affect the density calculation. It will increase
the overall volume without significantly contributing to the mass. This is because the
hollow space inside the metal piece is displacing some of the liquid but not adding much
mass to system.
5. Suppose the metal piece floats on water. How would you get the volume of the irregular
piece?
 Use the principle of buoyancy, the tendency of an object to float in a fluid. Also, use the
water displacement process in which record the initial and final volume of the water
with metal piece floats in water.

6. In determining the density of the liquid, suppose you weighed the dry graduated cylinder first
and then the cylinder plus the liquid. Would your calculated density be greater or less than
found by the normal procedure? Explain.

 If you weighed the dry graduated cylinder first then cylinder plus the liquid, the
calculated density will be greater. This is because the additional mass of the liquid
contributes to the total mass while the volume stays the same. As a result, the density
with increased mass and constant volume will yield in increased of density compared to
the normal procedure, where the volume and mass of a liquid are measured separately.

Reference:
Buoyant Force - Buoyancy Demonstration, Applications, FAQs ([Link])

Density Formula - How To Calculate Density ([Link])

Density Formula, Units & Examples | How to Find Density - Video & Lesson Transcript |
[Link]
Measurement | Texas Gateway
What Are Some Reasons for Density Errors? | Sciencing
What is Density? | Chapter 3: Density | Middle School Chemistry