THE DETERMINATION OF DENSITY OF DIFFERENT LIQUIDS USING THE

WESTPHAL BALANCE

GROUP 8
2B-BC

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the density of liquids using the Westphal balance. Pure
liquid samples such as methanol, 95% ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol were subjected to density
determination in reference to distilled water. Compared to their expected densities, methanol, 95%
ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol, their percentage errors were 8.26%, 9.76%, 7.70%, and 9.14%
respectively. Through this experiment, it has been proven that density is an intensive property of
pure liquids because the density didn’t depend on the amount of substance. Lastly, the relationship
between concentration and density is directly proportional. As the concentration increases, the
density also increases. Thus, it resulted to a linear graph as stated in related literature.

Introduction solution. This results in a change of the mass

Density is defined as the mass of a per unit of volume of the solution. Thus,
substance per unit area. It is usually higher density. [2]
represented by the greek letter rho (ρ) and
expressed in g/cm3 or kg/m3.[1] It is an
intensive physical property of matter, which
means that it does not depend on the amount
of the substance present. Subsequently,
different substances have different densities.
It is useful in identifying substances. Density
is the ratio of a substance's mass to its
volume, as shown below.

𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 (𝐷)
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 =
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 (𝐷𝐷)
According to David Chandler (2018),
concentration describes the amount of a
substance dissolved in another substance.
Changing the concentration of a solution
changes the density of the solution. Adding
more solute to a solvent changes the
composition of particles in a given volume of
Figure 1. Westphal Balance set-up [3]
One way to measure density is
through the use of Westphal Balance. This
instrument was invented by German chemist
Carl Friedrich Mohr in 1832. Westphal
Balance measures the specific gravity of a
liquid which is relative to its density by using
a series of riders placed on a fulcrum until the
system balances. The plummet has a built-in
thermometer and has a known volume (equal II. Relationship of Concentration and Density
to 5 gms of water at 15.5 degrees C) and mass of Sugar Solution
(15 gm).
1. Sucrose solution of various concentrations
Experimental/Methodology (1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) was prepared
A. Materials by dissolving sucrose crystals in distilled
water.
● Westphal balance 2. Afterwards, the densities of these sucrose
● Methanol solutions were determined using the
● 95% ethanol Westphal Balance.
● n-propanol 3. The concentration-density relationship was
● n-butanol then determined by plotting the gathered data
● Sucrose in a graph.
● Distilled water

B. Methods Results and Discussion

I. Determination of Density of Liquids using
Westphal Balance Determination of Density of Liquids Using
the Westphal Balance
1. The Westphal Balance was first assembled
and calibrated such that the index pointer on Table 1. Density of Liquids
the end of the beam lines up with the point on
Sample Density, Density, %
the frame, while the plummet was still
Liquid Experimen Expecte Error
hanging in the air.
tal d
2. Distilled water was used as a reference
(g/mL) (g/mL)
liquid. It was poured into a sample container
until the volume was enough for the plummet H2O 1.150 0.9736 15.28
to be immersed. (distilled)
3. The level of the beam was rebalanced by
placing riders and by adjusting its distance methanol 0.852 0.7570 8.26
from the fulcrum.
ethanol 0.866 0.7890 9.76
4. The large riders weigh 5.0 grams while
small riders has a mass of 0.50 grams. The n-propanol 0.867 0.8050 7.70
density was calculated using the mass of the
riders and their distance from the fulcrum. n-butanol 0.884 0.8100 9.14
5. The same procedure was used in
1% sucrose 1.046 0.9984 4.77
determining the density of other pure liquid
samples such as methanol, ethanol, n- 5% sucrose 1.100 1.0180 8.06
propanol, and n-butanol.
10% sucrose 1.130 1.0380 8.86
 Figure 2. Concentration and Density of
20% sucrose 1.165 1.0810 7.77
Sugar Solution
30% sucrose 1.200 1.1270 6.48
Figure 2 shows the graph of the
concentration of sucrose (w/v %) versus
The density of liquids was determined
density. Density and concentration have
using the westphal balance. At 23°C room
direct relationship. This means that as the
temperature, methanol has a density of
sucrose becomes more concentrated, the
0.852g/ml, 0.866 g/ml for ethanol, 0.867g/ml
density increases. Concentration refers to the
for n-propanol, and 0.884g/ml for n-butanol.
amount of solute dissolved in a given amount
These data gathered have an average
of solvent. Thus, a concentrated solution
percentage error of 8.72%. The possible
contains more solute, and if more solute are
source of errors are misused of instruments
present, the mass of the solution increases, so
and unstable temperature.
is its density
The Westphal Balance follows the
Archimedes principle. This principle states
that when a body is immersed in a liquid, the
References
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Zumdhal, S. A., Zumdhal S. S. (2016).
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Chandler, D., March 13, 2018. Density vs.
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Concentration. Retrieved 09 September
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