Experiment 2-Density

Experiment 2: The Density of Liquids and Solids

Objectives
 To determine the density of pure water
 To determine the density of aluminum (applying the technique of water displacement)
and to use this value to determine the thickness of a piece of aluminum foil
 To measure the mass and volume (via measured dimensions or water displacement) of
several cylinders of an unknown material, and to determine the density of this material
via graphical analysis of the collected data.
 To write a full lab report describing what you did, the data collected, results, and
interpretation of the results.

Laboratory Skills

 To gain proficiency in using the following instruments: metric rulers, analytical balance,
graduated cylinder, and thermometer accurately to measure mass and volume.
 Analyzing experimental data to draw conclusions, identify trends, and assess the
reliability of results.
 Creating graphs such as scatter plots or line graphs to visualize relationships between
mass, volume, and density.
 Adhering to safety guidelines when handling chemicals and using equipment, ensuring a
safe laboratory environment

Introduction

Density

Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance, and it is a physical property of
matter. A physical property can be measured without changing the chemical identity of the
substance. Since pure substances have unique density values, measuring the density of a
substance can help identify that substance. The units of density are commonly expressed as
g/cm3 for solids, g/mL for liquids, and g/L for gases. Density is determined by dividing the mass
of a substance by its volume:

Density = Mass/Volume (2.1)

Density is also an intensive property of matter. This means that the value of density is
independent of the quantity of matter present. For example, the density of a gold coin and a
gold statue are the same, even though the gold statue consists of the greater quantity of gold.
This is in contrast to extensive properties, like volume (the amount of space occupied by
matter), which depend on the quantity of matter present. The more the matter, the larger the
volume.

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Experiment 2-Density

In Part A of this lab, the mass and volume of water will be measured to determine the density
of water. Measurements will be performed on three samples of water to improve precision and
accuracy. Mass will be measured with an electronic balance, in grams (g), and volume will be
measured directly with a graduated cylinder, in milliliters (mL). Recall that when measuring
liquid volumes, the graduated scale must be read from the lowest point of the curved surface of
the liquid (the meniscus).

The accuracy of the experimentally determined density of water will then be evaluated by
comparison to the true, accepted density of water.

Measuring the Volume of a Liquid

The graduated cylinder markings are every 1-milliliter. When read from the lowest point of the
meniscus, the correct reading is 30.0 mL. The first 2 digits 30.0 are known exactly. The last digit
30.0 is uncertain. Even though it is a zero, it is significant and must be recorded.

In Part B of this lab, the density of aluminum will be determined using the aluminum piece
provided. Again, mass will be measured using an electronic balance, in grams (g). However, the
volume will be measured using the technique of water displacement (also known as
Archimedes Principle). This is because the volume of water that the solid displaces when it is
immersed in the water is the same as the volume of the solid itself. The accuracy of this
experimentally determined density will also be evaluated by comparison to the true, accepted
density of aluminum.

Measuring the Volume of an Irregularly Shaped Solid

Volume water displaced = Final volume – Initial volume (2.2)

Volume water displaced = Volume of solid (2.3)

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Experiment 2-Density

Note that 1 mL = 1 cm3.

The density of aluminum will then be used in an applied problem to determine the thickness of
a piece of aluminum foil. The piece of foil used can be considered to be a very flat rectangular
box, where

Volume of foil = length × width × thickness (2.4)

The foil volume can be obtained from the measured mass of the foil and the density of
aluminum. Thus, if the length and width of the foil rectangle are measured, then the foil’s
thickness may be calculated.

Density and Graphical Analysis

Laboratory investigations involve collecting data, which is often numeric. One common method
of interpreting data is graphical analysis.

In Part C of this lab, the mass and volume of several cylindrical pieces of an unknown solid
material will be measured. Once again mass will be obtained using an electronic balance, in
grams (g).

Since the cylinders are regularly shaped solids, their volumes (in cubic centimeters, cm 3) will be
calculated from their measured dimensions by using the appropriate volume formula:

Volume of a cylinder = πr2h (2.5)

h = cylinder height or length (2.6)
r = cylinder radius = ½ the diameter (2.7)

Using the data obtained, you will plot each pair of mass and volume values using an Excel
spreadsheet as a scatter plot, with mass plotted on the y-axis (vertical) and volume plotted on
the x-axis (horizontal). Since the plotted data generate (or at least approximate) a straight line,
a “best-fit line” can be added to the graph. A best-fit line is a single line that comes as close as
possible to all the plotted points.

the line, and 𝑏 represents the y-intercept. This is illustrated in the figure below.
The equation of this best-fit line will have the form y = mx + b, where m represents the slope of

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Experiment 2-Density

Best-fit line equation:

y = mx + b (2.8)

𝑏 is the y-intercept and

where:

𝑚 is the slope



The y-intercept (𝑏) is the point on the y-axis where the line crosses the axis. In this experiment,
the value of b should be equal to zero. This is because if there is no mass, the volume must also
be zero. However, note that your best-fit line might not pass exactly through the origin (0,0)
due to experimental error – but it should be quite close.

The slope of the line (𝑚) is the change in the y-axis values divided by the change in x-axis
values (or rise over run):

Δy y 2− y 1
m = Δx = x 2−x 1

Since Δ𝑦 is really the change in mass (Δ mass), and Δ𝑥 is the change in volume (Δ volume),
this means that the slope of the best-fit line yields the density of the unknown material:

Δy Δmass
m= Δx = Δvolume = density (2.9)

Once the density is determined by the graphical method, it will be used to identify the unknown
material analyzed.

Procedure
Record all data and observations in the space provided below,
please write legibly.

Materials/Reagents Required

 100-mL graduated cylinder

 metric ruler
 aluminum metal piece
 plastic weigh boat
 aluminum foil

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Experiment 2-Density

 thermometer
 electronic balance
 regular water
 unknown solid cylinders

Safety

When adding aluminum cylinders to the graduated cylinder, do so slowly and carefully to avoid
splashing water outside the cylinder. Tilt the graduated cylinder and allow the metal pieces to
gently slide to the bottom. Also, use caution when emptying the water and cylinders from the
graduated cylinder into the waste beaker – catch the cylinder pieces in your gloved hand so you
do not let them hit the glass beaker, as it will break.

Procedure

Part A: The Density of Water

1. Take the 250-mL beaker to the sink and fill it roughly half way with tap water and bring
it back to your station. Use the thermometer to record the temperature of the water in
the beaker and record it on your data sheet.
2. Using the electronic balance, obtain the mass of your 100-mL graduated cylinder. Make
sure it is dry before you weigh it. This will be the mass of empty cylinder for each of the
3 water addition columns in the data table.
3. Add roughly 25-30 mL of water from the 250-mL beaker to the graduated cylinder.
Precisely measure this volume of water (Recall how to read the glassware to the correct
number of significant figures). Then measure the combined mass using the electronic
balance. Record this data under the “1st water addition” column on the data sheet.
4. Add another 25 mL of water from the 250-mL beaker to the graduated cylinder (to the
existing water). Again, precisely measure this volume of water, and then measure the
combined mass using the electronic balance. Record this data under the “2 nd water
addition” column on the data sheet.
5. Repeat Step 3 to obtain a third set of mass and volume measurements. Record this data
under the “3rd water addition” column on the data sheet.
Note: By step 5 you will have 60-75 mL of water in the graduated cylinder.
6. Analysis: Subtract the mass of the empty cylinder from each combined mass
measurement to obtain three mass measurements of water. Use the three sets of mass
and volume measurements to calculate three density values for water. Then take the
average of these three density values. Finally, look up the true density of water at the
experimental temperature, and evaluate the accuracy of your average density value by
calculating your percent error.

Part B: The Density of Aluminum and the Thickness of Foil

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Experiment 2-Density

The Density of a Cylinder of Aluminum

1. Using the electronic balance, obtain the mass of the empty weigh boat. Record this in your
data table as mass of empty weigh boat.
2. Place the solid cylindrical sample of aluminum metal in the weigh boat and measure the
mass of the weigh boat and the metal piece. Record this as the mass of weigh boat and Al
cylinder.
3. Analysis: Subtract the mass of the empty weigh boat from the mass of the weigh boat and
Al sample. Record this as the mass of the Al cylinder.
4. Pour roughly 25-30 mL of water from the 250 mL beaker into your 100-mL graduated
cylinder. Precisely measure this volume of water – keeping in mind the correct number of
significant figures. Record this as the initial volume of water.
5. Carefully add the aluminum piece to the water, making sure not to lose any water from
splashing. Also make sure that the metal piece is completely immersed in the water.
(NOTE: Adjust the initial volume of the water if the metal cylinder is not completely
immersed). Measure the new volume of the water plus the metal piece.
6. When finished, retrieve and dry the aluminum piece and return it to your workstation.
7. Analysis: Use your measured mass and volume (obtained via water displacement) of the
aluminum piece to calculate the density of aluminum. Then look up the true density of
aluminum and evaluate your accuracy by calculating your percentage error.

The Thickness of Aluminum Foil

1. Now for the rectangular piece of aluminum foil: Use the ruler to measure the length and
width of the piece of foil.
2. Measure the mass of the foil using the electronic balance.
3. When finished return the foil and the ruler to your workstation.
4. Analysis: Use these measurements along with the density of aluminum (found in the
previous part, step 7) to calculate the thickness of the foil.

Part C: Graphical Analysis of Mass and Volume Data of an Unknown Solid

1. Record the ID Code on the bag of the unknown cylindrical solid pieces on your data sheet.
2. Measure the mass of each cylindrical object using an electronic balance. It is recommended
to start with the smallest object first and progress in the order of increasing object size.
3. Obtain the volume of all unknown pieces by using the ruler to measure the diameter and
height of each cylindrical object. Again, start with the smallest object first and progress in
order of increasing object size. Record these measurements in the data table.
4. Replace all the objects in the bag and return it to your workstation.
5. Analysis: Use the measured dimensions to calculate the volume of each solid object. Record
these volumes in the data table. Then, plot the mass (Y) versus the volume (X) of each

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Experiment 2-Density

measured object using an Excel spreadsheet. Add a best-fit line to this plot. Identify the
slope of this line, which is the density of the unknown solid. Use this density to identify the
unknown material analyzed. Your unknown material is one of the substances listed in the
table below.

Substance Density (g/cm3)

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) 1.35

Maple 0.77

Acrylic 1.16

Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) 2.20

Polypropylene 0.90

Aluminum 2.71

Brass 8.50

Steel 7.85

Copper 8.92

Zinc 7.14

Densities of Metals and Elements Table

https://www.chemicool.com/densities.html

Name: __________________________________ Date: __________________ Section: _______

Pre-laboratory Assignment: The Density of Solids and Liquids

1. Purpose/Objective

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Experiment 2-Density

2. Circle the correct responses in the following statement:

Density is a physical/chemical property of matter and an intensive /extensive property of

matter.

3. What devices will you use to measure the mass and the volume of water in Part A of this
experiment?

4. In Part B of this lab, you will perform several measurements to determine the density of a
metal. Answer the following questions:

a) Name this metal: ________________________________

b) Describe the technique you will use to measure the volume of this metal.

5. Consider the tabulated data collected by a student for an unknown metal sample. Use this
data to calculate the density of the metal (in g/cm3). Show your work clearly.

Mass of Empty Beaker 44.656 g

Mass of Beaker and Metal sample 124.400 g
Initial volume of water in cylinder 12.7 mL
Final volume of water and Metal sample 21.6 mL

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Experiment 2-Density

6. In Part C of this lab, you will measure the mass, height, and diameter of four cylinders
composed of some unknown material.
 Calculate the volume (in cm3) of a cylinder with a measured height of 11.76 cm and a
diameter of 7.22 cm. Show your work clearly.

 Each pair of mass and volume values (for each cylinder) will be plotted on a scatter plot,
with mass on the y-axis and volume on the x-axis. A best-fit line will then be applied to
the plotted data.
o How will you calculate the value of the slope of this best-fit line?

 How will the value of the slope help you identify the unknown material that the
cylinders are made of?

Name: _______________________________ Partner: _______________________________

Date: _________________ Section: _________

Data Sheets: The Density of Solids and Liquids

Part A: The Density of Water

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Experiment 2-Density

Temperature of Water: ______________

1st Water 2nd Water 3rd Water

Addition Addition Addition

Mass of Empty Cylinder (g)

Mass of Cylinder + Water (g)

Mass of Water only (g)

Volume of Water (mL)

Part B: The Density of Aluminum and the Thickness of Foil

Table 1 – The Density of Aluminum

Mass of Empty Weigh boat (g)

Mass of Weigh boat and Al piece (g)

Mass of Al piece (g)

Initial volume of water (mL)

Final volume of water (with Al piece added) (mL)

Table 2 – The Thickness of Aluminum Foil

Mass of Al Foil (g)

Length of Al Foil (cm)

Width of Al Foil (cm)

Part C: Graphical Analysis of Mass and Volume Data of an Unknown Solid

ID Code of Unknown Solid: __________

Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Cylinder 3 Cylinder 4

Mass (g)

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Experiment 2-Density

Length (cm)

Diameter (cm)

Instructor Signature:

Name: _______________________________ Partner: _______________________________

Date: _________________ Section: _________

Post-Laboratory Assignment: The Density of Liquids and Solids

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 Experiment 2-Density

I. Calculations: Use the data collected to show the work in detail (proper setup and units)
for all the questions below. Report the answers using proper significant digits and units.

A. Part A: The Density of Water

a) Look up the true density of water at the temperature recorded (from CRC Handbook):

b) Calculate the density of water using the data collected. Show the calculation for the first
trial and write the answers for the rest of the two trials.
Trial 1:

Trial 2:

Trial 3:

c) Calculate the average density of water.

d) Use the true density value to calculate the percent error in your average density of water.
Show your work.
% error=¿ accepted value−experimental value∨ ¿ x 100 ¿
accepted value

B. Part B: The Density of Aluminum and the Thickness of Foil

a) Use your measured mass and volume of the metal piece (in Table 1) to calculate the density
of aluminum, in g/cm3. Show your work and report your answer to the correct number of
significant figures.

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Experiment 2-Density

b) Look up the true density (in g/cm3) of aluminum at

https://www.chemicool.com/densities.html

c) Use this density to calculate the percent error in your experimentally determined density
value. Show your work.

d) Use your measurements for the aluminum foil (in Table 2) along with the true density of
aluminum to calculate the foil thickness, in cm. Show your work, circle your final answer,
and report your answer in scientific notation. Consider the foil to be a very flat rectangular
box, where: Volume of foil = length x width x thickness

C. Part C: Graphical Analysis of Mass and Volume Data of an Unknown Solid

a) Calculate the volume of the cylinder using the measured dimensions. Show the calculation
(using equation 2.5) for volume using your measured dimensions for the small cylinder
below. Give only the answers for the remaining cylinders.

Cylinder 1:

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Experiment 2-Density

Cylinder 2:

Cylinder 3:

Cylinder 4:

b) Using Excel Spreadsheet, plot “Mass (Y) versus Volume (X)” for all four cylinders measured.
There is a reference guide posted on canvas for using excel if you are not familiar. Submit
your graph along with this report form.

Instructions for Graphing Data

 Use an Excel spreadsheet to plot the graph.
 Clearly label your axes and give your graph an appropriate title.
 Draw a best-fit straight line through your data points.
 Show the equation of the line and R2 value on the graph.

c) Using the graph plotted, choose two points on your best-fit line separated far from each
other. The points chosen cannot be any of your plotted data points. Circle the two
points selected on your graph and complete the table below.

X Value Y Value

Point 1

Point 2

y 2− y 1
Using these points, calculate the slope (m) of your best-fit line using the equation: m =
x 2−x 1
. Show your work, circle your final answer, and report your result to the correct number of
significant figures.

d) The value of the slope obtained above (in #c) yields the density of your unknown solid, in
units of g/cm3. Using this value, identify your unknown solid (see Procedure, Part C, #5).

 ID Code of Unknown: _____________

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 Experiment 2-Density

 Identity of Unknown:

 True Density:

II. Results:

Part B Part B
Part A Part C
(1) (2)
Volume of Cylinders:

1) __________
Thickness of Al Foil
Average Density of Density of Al 2) __________
calculated
Water _________ calculated _______
____________ 3) __________

4) __________

Unknown ID _______

Density of the
Unknown:

% error________ % error________ ___________

Identification of the
Unknown:

____________

III. Discussion: Discuss the results of this experiment.

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 Experiment 2-Density

IV. Conclusion: Give your conclusion(s) of the overall experiment.

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