Running head: MEASUREMENT OF DENSITY 1

Measurement of Density

Name

Institution
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Abstract

This experiment was purposed to identify four unknown metals and three unknown liquid

substances. Through calculating the mass and volumes of the liquid substances and the use of a

hydrometer, the density of the liquids was measured. In calculating the density of the solid, the

water displacement method was used in addition to using the mass and volumetric calculations.

The results of the measurement of the solid were compared to values in literary works. Liquid A

was identified to be alcohol with its density being 0.7893 g/ml. Liquid B was identified as

saturated Sodium Chloride with a density of 1.202g/ml. The third one, Liquid C, was identified

as water with its density being 1.99g/ml. The unknown solids were identified as follows: solid A

with a density of 8.91g/ml was identified as copper, solid B with a density of 2.699g/ml was

identified to be aluminum, solid C with a density of 8.49g/ml was identified as Brass while the

last unknown metal, solid D, with a density of 7.83g/ml was identified as steel.
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Introduction

With the primary purpose of identifying three unknown liquid substances and four

unknown metals being the objective of this experiment, the densities of the substances were then

compared to the values of substances already recorded in literary works. Density is usually

defined as the extent to which a substance remains compact. In an attempt to identify unknown

objects without shape or color, density is usually used as the best means possible for such

identification. When identifying liquid substances, the density is usually calculated using the

mass and volume or through the use of a hydrometer. The mass is usually found using a triple

beam balance. It is also possible to measure the mass of a liquid substance by weighing an empty

cylinder and the mass of the same cylinder with the liquid in it. One is required to measure the

mass of the cylinder with the liquid in it and subtract that mass from the mass of the empty

cylinder. The hydrometer promises the easiest option when measuring density as the

measurements are read directly from the meter readings it displays by just putting it into the

cylinder.

Solids on the other hand are measured in either of two ways. Firstly, using the formulae for

density and volume which is V= h x 0.785d2 and D=m/v. In this method, therefore, one has to

find the correct measurements of the height, weight and diameter of the solid before they can

find the volume. The second applicable method would be the displacement method. This method

makes it possible to find the volume of the any solid object by filling a cylinder with water and

then recording the volume. Thereafter, you are required to submerge the solid into the cylinder

and then record the volume with the object in it. Then simply subtract the volume of the cylinder

filled with water from the one with the solid. After recording the density of each unknown liquid
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and solid, the densities from the calculations are then compared with the closest densities to them

recorded in literary works.

Definitions of New Terms

Density: The extent to which a substance remains compact

Mass: The quantity of matter in a body

Volume: Is the quantity of three-dimensional space enclosed by an object

Hydrometer: An instrument used to measure the relative density of liquids

Chemical Names and Properties

H2O Boiling point=100ºc

Odorless Colorless liquid d=1.00 g/ml

Results and Discussion

There are two ways of determining the density of liquids. Firstly, weigh a 50ml graduated

cylinder. Add 30ml of the liquid into the graduated cylinder you just weighed and record the total

volume. Afterwards, calculate the weight of the cylinder with the liquid and then calculate the

density. Do the same for the remaining liquids. Alternatively, we could find the density using the

hydrometer. Fill the cylinder with water to the 3-quarter mark and then place the hydrometer

making sure that it does not touch the glass. This is quite a hectic task. Finally, read the density

from the scale readings. To find the density of the solid simply weigh the solid and record the

2
mass. Thereafter calculate the volume using the formulae Volume (cc) = h x 0.785d .

Alternatively, the volume can be found by using the water displacement method.
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Data for Unknown Liquids

Liquid A Liquid B Liquid C

Wt.of cyl + liquid 92.10 g 102.80 g 97.75 g

Wt. of liquid 24.10 g 34.80 g 29.75 g

Volume of liquid 31.0 ml 30.0 ml 30.0 ml

Density (g/ml) 0.780 g/ml 1.16 g/ml 0.980g/ml

Density by 0.77 g/ml 1.18 g/ml 1.00 g/ml

Hydrometer
Literature value: 0.7893 g/ml 1.202 g/ml 1.00 g/ml

Alcohol Saturated NACI Tap water

Data for Unknown Solids

unkno unkno weig heig diamet volume( volume(b) density density literat identity

wn No wn ht ht er a) ml (by (a) (b) ure of metal

color g cm cm cc (by displacem value

calculati ent) of

on) densit

Solid Bronze 56.7 4.80 1.20 5.39 6.50 10.5 8.72 8.91 Copper

A 0
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Solid Silver 18.4 4.90 1.20 5.50 6.50 3.35 2.83 2.699 Alumin

B 0 um
Solid Gold 53.3 5.00 1.20 5.61 6.50 9.50 8.20 8.49 Brass

C 0
Solid Dark 50.0 5.10 1.20 5.73 6.50 8.72 7.69 7.83 steel

D brown 0

Density of liquid Density of solid Density by Displacement

Ex: Liquid A Ex: Solid A Ex: Solid A

Density=mass/volume V= h x 0.785d2 V= cylinder with object

-cylinder with water

D=24.20g/31.0 ml=0.780 g/mlV=4.80cm x 0.785(1.20cm)2=5.39cc D=56.70g/6.50ml=8.72g/ml

D=56.70/5.39=10.5g/cc

Extra Credit

To earn the extra credit, we decided to settle on finding the density of a copper penny.

Using lessons from the laboratory, we found out the mass of the penny which weighed 2.60g and

the volume as 0.2cc and divided the mass over volume. The density was established to be

10.4g/cc. The data obtained proved instrumental in identifying the unknown items. This was

done by matching the values of substances in literary works against the values our experiments

generated. Liquid A with a density of 0.7893 g/ml. The calculation of the density from the
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equation was 0.780g/ml and the hydrometer readings were 0.77g/ml. Liquid B was established to

be saturated sodium chloride with the density of 1.202 g/ml.

Calculating the density from the equation resulted in the density being 1.16 g/ml and the

hydrometer readings were 1.18g/ml. Liquid C was established to be tap water with a density of

1.00g/ml. The density from the calculation of the density equation was 0.980g/ml and the

hydrometer readings were 1.00g/ml. The density of the unknown solids was calculated using the

water displacement method. Solid A with a density of 8.91g/ml was copper and by using the

water displacement was 8.72g/ml and by using the volume equation with density it was 10.5g/cc.

Solid B with a density of 2.699g/ml was found to be aluminum and by using water displacement

it was 2.83g/ml and by using the volume equation with density it was 3.35g/cc. Solid C with a

density of 8.49g/ml was established to be brass and by using water displacement it was 8.20g/ml

and by using the volume equation with density was 9.50g/cc.

Solid D with a density of 7.83g/ml was discovered to be steel and by using water

displacement was 7.69g/ml and by using the volume equation with density was 8.72g/cc. Liquid

C which was water matched the actual value in literary works.

Measurement of Error

Every measurement bears a degree of uncertainty. The errors in measurement affect the

experiment because it fails to match values in literary works.

Triple beam balance= +/-0.05g

Graduated cylinder= +/-0.5ml

Ruler= +/-0.05cm
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Hydrometer- +/=0.05

Conclusion

This experiment made it possible for me to identify unknown elements, solids as well as

liquids, in the laboratory by simply calculating their densities. The techniques employed for

liquids were calculating the density using the formula and using a hydrometer. Using the water

displacement method and volume formulae I managed to calculate densities of solids and

identified unknown elements. Measuring density and comparing them to values in literary works

enabled us to identify unknown elements and thus the theory held true.

Questions

4) a. Calculate the volume of 42.0g of tin (density 7.29g/ml)?

M=42.0g V=42.0g/7.29g/ml=5.76ml

D=7.29g/ml

V=?

b. Calculate the mass of 48 ml of lead (density 11.34g/ml)?

M = D*V = 48ml*11.34g/ml = 540.00g

5) Calculate the density of 25.0ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid weighs 34.25g.

D = m/v = 34.25g/25.0ml = 1.30 g/ml

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