Measuring the Density of a Substance

Measuring The Density of a Substance

______________________________________________________________________________

Purpose: To measure the density of different substances and identify the substance.

Hypothesis: If the mass increases and the volume stays constant, then the density will be increased.

Materials:

* Graduated cylinder

* Triple beam balance

* Ruler

* Rubber stopper

* Solid cylinder

* Cube

* Water

* Unknown liquid

* Goggles

Procedure:

Regular Shaped Objects:

1. A ruler was used to measure the dimensions of the rectangular prism to the nearest 0.1mm or 0.01 cm.

2. The mass of the rectangular prism was measured to the nearest 0.1g using the triple beam balance.

3. The measurements were recorded in the chart.

4. Steps 1-3 were repeated for the solid cylinder.

Liquids:

1. The triple beam balance was used to measure the mass of the empty graduated cylinder to the nearest 0.01g. The mass was recorded in the chart.

2. 30 to 50 mL of the liquid was poured into the graduated cylinder. The volume was recorded to the nearest 0.01 mL.

3. The triple beam balance was used to measure the mass of the graduated cylinder and the liquid to the nearest 0.01g. The mass was recorded in the chart.

4. Steps 1-3 were repeated using tap water.

Irregular Shaped Objects:

1. The triple beam balance was used to measure the mass of the rubber stopper.

2. 30 to 50 mL of water was poured into the graduated cylinder. The volume was recorded to the nearest 0.01 mL.

3. The rubber stopper was dropped gently into the graduated cylinder. The volume was recorded to the nearest 0.01 mL.

4. All equipment and the lab area were cleaned.

Diagrams:

Observations:

Object

Observations

Mass

Volume

Density

Substance

Rectangular prism

-grey

-heavy

-metallic

160g

V = LxWxH

= 5 x 4 x 3

= 60cm³

D = M / V

= 160 / 60

= 2.67g/cm³

Aluminum

Cylinder

-heavy

-solid

69.8g

V = πr²h

=π(0.85)²(3.3)

= 7.5cm³

D = M / V

= 69.8 / 7.5

= 9.3 g/cm³

Copper

Unknown liquid

-slight yellow tint

-low viscosity

69.5