Density Of Solid - Experiment, Viva Voce
EXPERIMENT
Aim
To determine the density of solid (denser than water) by using a spring balance and a
measuring cylinder.
Theory
1. Density: The density of a substance is defined as the mass per unit
volume,[D= ]
Here, D = Density of the body
M = Mass of the body
V = Volume of the body.
2. S.I. unit of density = Kgm-3 or Kg/m-3
c.g.s. unit of density = g/cm-3 or g cm-3
3. Floating bodies: The density of water is 1 g/cm3 (c.g.s. system) and 1000
kg/m3 (S.I. system).
4. Case (a) If the density of a body is more than 1 g/cm3 or 1000 kg/m3 then the body
will sink in water.
5. Case (b) If the density of a body is less than 1 g/cm3 or 1000 kg/m3 then the body
will float on water.
6. Case (c) If the density of a body is same i.e. 1 g/cm3 or 1000 kg/m3 then the body
will half float and half submerge in water.
Weight
1. The force due to the gravitational attraction of the earth that acts on a body is
called weight.
2. (Weight) Force = mass x acceleration.
Force = mass x acceleration due to gravity (g)
Force = mass x g
i.e Weight = m x g
3. Weight of a body = Force on the body.
4. S.I. unit = Newton = 1 kg m/s2
N =1 kgf= 1 kilogram force,
i.e g = 9.8 m/s2
5. Weight is measured by spring balance.
Materials Required
A spring balance, a measuring cylinder, a beaker with water, a metal bob (or anybody
that is heavier than water and does not dissolve in water), a cotton string, a stand
(optional).
Procedure
1. Tie a metal bob (or any solid) with the string of cotton to the hook of the spring
balance. The spring balance should be checked for any error. Let the zero error
be ‘x’.
2. Hold the spring balance (or tie it to the stand), suspended with the metal bob in
air. Measure the weight of the bob. Let its weight be ‘W F‘
3. Pour the water in the measuring cylinder and record the initial volume of water, let
it be ‘ V1‘
4. Suspend the metal bob into the measuring cylinder with water. The bob should not
touch the base, nor the sides of the cylinder.
The water level rises, measure the increased water level, let this volume be ‘ VF‘
5. Record all your observations in the observation table and do the calculation to find
the density of a given solid metal bob.
Observations
1. Weight of the given Metal Bob = 400N
2. Mass of the Metal Bob = 400/9.8 = 40.8 g
1. Volume of water displaced by solid (metal bob) = 20 ml.
2. Density of a solid (metal bob) = = 2.04 g/cm3
1 mL of water = 1 cm3
Result
The density of given solid (Metal Bob) is 2.04 g/cm3
Precautions
1. The spring balance should be sensitive.
2. The zero error in the spring balance should be recorded before it is used to find
the weight of solid.
3. Record the readings carefully of both spring balance and measuring cylinder by
keeping the level of eye and the mark of reading same/parallel.
4. The solid/metal bob should not touch the bottom, or sides of the measuring
cylinder.
5. If the zero error in spring balance is 1 N then subtract this error from the final
reading of the weight of solid/ metal bob.
VIVA VOCE
Question 1:
Define density.
Answer:
Density is defined as the mass per unit volume.
Question 2:
State the S.I. unit of density.
Answer:
kg/m3.
PRACTICAL BASED QUESTIONS
Question 1:
How do you find mass and weight of the body?
Answer:
To find mass I will use a beam balance and to find weight I will use a spring balance.
Question 2:
How can you convert the weight value into mass?
Answer:
The weight of a body = mass x g, to get mass, divide the given weight by g.
Question 3:
How can you measure 1 N weight?
Answer:
It can be measured by using spring balance.
Question 4:
A measuring cylinder has 5 marks between 10 mL to 20 mL. What is its least count?
Answer:
20 mL – 10 mL =10 mL, Let ‘x; is the least count.
5 * x= 10
x= =2
Each mark is of 2 mL value.
