Exploring Density
Lauren Robinson
11/13/2023
1
Data
Activity 1
Data Table 1
Calculated
Mass Height Diameter Radius Density
Cylinder Type Volume
(g) (cm) (cm) (cm) (g/cm3)
(cm3)
Aluminum 4.35g 1.3cm 1.2cm 0.6cm 1.5 2.9
Acrylic 1.88g 1.2cm 1.2cm 0.6 1.4 1.3
Polyethylene 1.52g 1.3cm 1.2cm 0.6 1.5 1.01
1. The accepted densities for the cylinders used in Activity 1 are shown in the table below. How
do these numbers compare to the calculated values? What sources of error could cause the
differences?
Substance Density (g/cm3)
Aluminum 2.7
Acrylic 1.2
Polyethylene 0.9
Answer: The calculated densities are reasonably close to the accepted densities given.
Discrepancies could arise from measurement errors of variations in the density of the given
material. Imprecise measurements of the height and diameter or in accuracies in mass
measurement could be a potential source of error as well.
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
2
Activity 2
Data Table 2
Mass of Solution
Percentage of Mass of
Volume + Graduated Mass of Solution
Sucrose in Cylinder
(mL) Cylinder (g)
Solution (g)
(g)
0% 5 32.56g 30.00 4.3
10 40.55 30.00 10.56
15 46.25 30.00 16.25
20 50.60 30.00 20.60
25 54.98 30.00 24.98
10% 5 35.47 30.03 5.44
10 41.19 30.03 11.16
15 46.33 30.03 16.30
20 52.03 30.03 22.00
25 54.23 30.03 24.20
20% 5 36.85 30.04 6.8
10 40.99 30.04 10.95
15 47.12 30.04 17.08
20 52.71 30.04 22.67
25 54.55 30.04 24.51
30% 5 34.18 30.00 4.18
10 41.18 30.00 11.18
15 44.52 30.00 14.52
20 50.13 30.00 20.13
25 55.04 30.00 25.04
40% 5 34.92 30.04 4.8
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
3
Mass of Solution
Percentage of Mass of
Volume + Graduated Mass of Solution
Sucrose in Cylinder
(mL) Cylinder (g)
Solution (g)
(g)
10 41.37 30.04 11.33
15 45.80 30.04 15.76
20 52.59 30.04 22.55
25 56.73 30.04 26.69
50% 5 34.23 30.03 4.2
10 41.09 30.03 11.06
15 45.03 30.03 15
20 52.59 30.03 22.56
25 56.14 30.03 26.11
60% 5 34.63 30.03 4.6
10 41.52 30.03 11.49
15 44.89 30.03 14.86
20 51.63 30.03 21.60
25 55.89 30.03 25.86
2. What happens to the density of a solution as the concentration of sucrose increases?
Answer: The density of each solution increased as the concentration of sucrose increases.
The mass of sucrose takes over the mass of the solution so if the volume change isn’t
proportionally large then the density will increase.
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
4
Data Table 3
Percentage Equation of the Best Fit
Density (slope) in g/cm3
of Sucrose in Solution Line with y-intercept = 0
0% y=1.0235 x 1.0235
10% y=1.0388 x 1.0388
20% y=1.0661 x 1.0661
30% y=1.003 x 1.003
40% y=1.0851 x 1.0851
50% y=1.0622 x 1.0622
60% y=1.0468 x 1.0468
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
5
Data Table 4
Percentage of Predictions: Predictions: Predictions: Observations: Observations: Observations:
Sucrose Aluminum Acrylic Polyethylene Aluminum Acrylic Polyethylene
Solution Cylinder Cylinder Cylinder Cylinder Cylinder Cylinder
0% Sink Sink Sink Sink Sink sink
10% Sink Sink sink Sink Sink Float
20% Sink Sink Float Sink Sink Float
30% Sink Float Float Sink Sink Float
40% Sink Float Float Sink Sink Float
50% Sink Float Float Sink Float Float
60% Sink float Float Sink Float Float
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
6
Activity 4
Data Table 5
Mass of Solution +
Volume (mL) Graduated Cylinder Mass of Cylinder (g) Mass of Solution (g)
(g)
5 35.26 30.02 5.24
10 39.38 30.02 9.36
15 44.80 30.02 14.78
20 50.64 30.02 20.62
25 56.12 30.02 26.10
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
7
Density (slope) of Beverage: 1.0596
Percentage of Sucrose in Beverage: 21%
3. In Activity 4, the percentage of sucrose in a beverage was determined using density;
however, many commercial beverages are made with high fructose corn syrup and not
sucrose. Even beverages such as juice are not primarily sucrose.
a. Is the percentage concentration of sucrose determined in this activity accurate? Why or
why not? If it is not, what could be done to make it more accurate?
Answer: In order to ensure accuracy of the sucrose concentration determination we would
need to compare the results with known standards or values. To further evaluate the
statistical reliability of my results I calculated the standard deviation for density to assess
the variability of my data. Because of my low standard deviation it would suggest a
consistent result. Std.Dev = 0.099146053.
b. Beyond sucrose type, what other confounding factors may exist in the determination of
percentage concentration of sucrose? What were potential sources of error?
Answer: Some confounding factors and sources of error could be incomplete
dissolution, changes in temperature can alter the volume of a solution, viewing
angle discrepancies while measuring volumes in the graduated cylinders.
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
8
Calibration of measuring instruments can cause inaccurate measurements. Human
error with recording data or miscalculations, or inaccurately performing the
activity. Improper mixing of the solutions can cause variations in the
concentration of sucrose.
© 2016 Carolina Biological Supply Company
