Determination of Densities

Abstract

Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Coconut oil and an unknown liquid sample were handled
in an experiment to determine its density. The data on its mass and volume were gathered
and calculated which results to 0.994g/mL, 0.84g/mL, 0.96g/mL and 0.8g/mL,
respectively. Moreover, there were two regularly-shaped solid that was also used in the
activity. The rectangular wood is at 0.56g/cm3 and the marble has a density of 2.71g/cm3.
An irregularly-shaped pebble possessed a density of 2.1g/mL. These values were derived
from the formula which is mass over volume. It means that the higher the density, the
more compact the atoms are within the object.

Introduction

An apocryphal tale about Archimedes led to the discovery of density. He took a

relaxing immersion bath and observed from the rise of the water upon entering that he
could calculate the volume of the gold wreath through the displacement of the water.
Upon this discovery, he leaped from his bath and went running naked through the streets
shouting, "Eureka! Eureka!"

m
From then on, density is now formally defined as the mass per unit volume, ¿ V .
Mass (g) is the amount of matter contained in an object. It can be measured using a beam
balance for solid objects. However for liquids, it is accompanied with graduated cylinders
to hold the substances. Volume is the amount of space taken up by a quantity of matter
and is commonly expressed in cubic centimeters (cm3) or in milliliters (ml). There are
various formula that can be manipulated for the volume depending on its physical
appearance.
 Therefore, common units used to express density are grams per milliliters (g/ml)
and grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3).

It is an intensive property in that increasing the amount of a substance does not

increase its density; rather it increases its mass. Density does not depend on its size or
shape. “Heavier” as applied to a substance is synonymous with “greater density”.
Compression increases density, thus, the more closely atoms are packed the higher will be
the density. If the average density of an object is less than water (1.0 g per mL) it will float
in water and if it is more than water's it will sink.

This experiment aims to determine the densities of some solids and liquids. As well
as to apply the rules of significant figures in measuring the weight and volume of
substances.

Methodology

The first part of the activity was intended for the determination of the densities of
various liquid samples. For the water sample, a clean and dry 100mL graduated cylinder
was weighed, then 50mL of water was added into the cylinder. Meanwhile, for the other
liquid samples manipulated, a clean, dry 10mL graduated cylinder was weighed and only
5.0mL of each sample was added into the cylinder separately. The figures recorded was
used to identify the mass of the liquid samples. However, the volume of each liquid was
provided by the instructor. In order to arrive with the density of the samples, the mass
was divided by the volume. Furthermore, the percentage error was also computed so as to
be assured of the accuracy and precision with the values.

The second half of the laboratory experiment was about the identification of the
densities of rectangular, spherical and irregularly-shaped solids, respectively. A block of
wood and a marble was weighed separately on a triple-beam balance to know its mass.
For the rectangular block of wood, the measurements of its length, width and height were
recorded to compute for the volume. On the other hand, the diameter of the marble served
as the data to calculate for its volume. After all the necessary data were gathered, density
was then computed using the same formula with the first experiment.

Lastly, a pebble, which is an irregular-shaped solid was weighed along with the
watch glass in order to determine its mass. In the interim, a 100mL graduated cylinder
was again filled with 30mL of water, the initial volume. The pebble was then immersed
into the water to identify its volume which is by subtracting the initial with the current
volume recorded and the density was also recognized.
 Results and Discussion
1. Densities of liquids
Water Isopropyl Coconut oil Unknown liquid
Alcohol sample
Mass of dry, 95.2g 25.5g 25.5g 25.5g
empty cylinder
Mass of 144.9g 29.7g 30.3g 29.5g
cylinder with
sample
Mass of the 49.7g 4.2g 4.8g 4.0g
sample
Volume of 50mL 5.0mL 5.0mL 5.0mL
sample
Experimental 0.994g/mL 0.84g/mL 0.96g/mL 0.8g/mL
density of the
sample
Known density 1.0g/mL 0.79g/mL 0.9g/mL 0.79g/mL
of the sample at
30̊
Percentage 0.6% 6.33% 6.67% 1.27%
error
Identity of the Isopropyl
unknown Alcohol

2. Densities of solids
2.1 Density of Regularly-Shaped Solids
Rectangular Solid Spherical Solid
Mass of Solid 79.3g 5.8g
Length 11.7cm
Width 8.7cm
Height 1.4cm
Diameter 1.6cm
Volume 142.51cm3 2.14cm3
Density 0.56g/cm3 2.71g/cm3

2.2 Density of Irregularly-Shaped Solids

Pebble
Mass of an empty watch glass 29.7g
Mass of watch glass with pebbles 33.9g
Mass of pebbles 4.2g
Initial volume of water in cylinder 30mL
Final volume of water in cylinder 32mL
Volume of pebbles 2mL
Density of pebbles 2.1g/mL

In determining the density of an object, the most critical part is taking down the
measurements because a simple mistake could cause discrepancy with the results in the
computation part. This can be identified through the formula of the percentage error
which is used among liquids for they already have a standard density. Also, to ensure its
accuracy, the percentage error will be calculated and if it is more than 10% there must be
something wrong with your procedure or computations. Based from the tabulated results
for liquid samples all of them has less than 10% error. Furthermore, the unknown liquid
was identified by comparing and looking for the nearest value to the experimental density
of the sample from the three known densities of samples used in the same experiment.

For the regularly shaped solid, it would be necessary for the student to be
knowledgeable enough with the specific formula for computing the volume of a certain
solid samples. The block of wood and the marble has a density of 0.56g/cm3 and
2.71g/cm3, respectively. It adheres with the experiment of Albert, L et.al (n.d), which
states that a marble has an approximately 2.57g/cm3.

The last part of the experiment was similar to Archimedes’ principle about the
displacement of water when it is immersed with a solid sample. The object's volume
occupies space, displacing liquid and raising the water level. This is highly used for
irregularly-shaped objects for it doesn’t have a definite shape. The uncertainty of the
volume is based on the two volume readings. It results to a density of 2.1g/mL for a small
piece of pebble.

Summary and Conclusion

Mass and volume are the only two variables affecting the density of a matter in this
experiment. The weight can easily be measured by familiarizing with the use of a beam
balance. Conversely, volume must be taken with accuracy and precision to avoid having a
huge percentage error or an unbelievably small or large value of the density. Significant
figures are also taken into consideration when computing values. During the experiment,
the students had some problems with determining the unknown liquid for using the sense
of smell and having a wild guess of its identity. It could be a technique but it is more
reliable to have it compared to those that have known densities. For solid samples, the
appropriate formula for the volume and procedure must be noted before arriving at its
density.

References
2 Written in the activity paper

Albert, L et.al (n.d). 006 Sample Laboratory Report: Density of marbles. Retrieved
September 15, 2018 from http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/physci/text/006sample-
lab.xhtml

Day, M. (2002). “Density” Visionlearning Vol. SCI-1 (4), 2002. Retrieved September 15,
2018 from https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/General-Science/3/Density/37

Hawkes, S. (2004). The Concept of Density. 10.1021/ed081p14. Retrieved September 15,

2018 from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed081p14

Saylor. (n.d). Density. Retrieved September 15, 2018 from

https://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Density.pdf

Varsity Tutors. (2007). Perimeter, Area, and Volume. Retrieved September 15, 2018 from
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topic