Density
Density
Objectives
In this experiment you will:
Measure the dimensions of a cylindrical solid “slug” of an unknown metal to calculate its density
and identify the metal.
Measure the mass and volume of an unknown liquid to calculate its density.
Measure the mass and volume of a rubber stopper to calculate its density.
Perform various density calculations.
Introduction
We commonly use the terms “heavy” and “light” to describe various objects. For example, a thick
textbook might be considered “heavy as a rock” while a fine silk camisole might be considered “light as a
feather.” These terms, “heavy” and “light”, actually convey the relative density of a substance.
Objects that are heavy have more mass concentrated in a given amount of space. For example, in the
opening sequence of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones tries to replace a gold statue with a bag of
sand of about the same volume. Even though the volumes may be the same, gold is much more dense than
sand. As Indiana Jones found out, ignoring density and only considering volume can have dire
consequences!
Mathematically, density is defined as a substance’s mass-to-volume ratio:
mass
density
volume
For liquids and solids, mass is reported in grams, and volume is reported in milliliters (mL) or cubic
centimeters (cm3), so density is reported in units of grams per milliliter (g/mL) or grams per cubic
centimeter (g/cm3) — these are equivalent since 1 mL is exactly equal to 1 cm3.
A substance’s density will be the same regardless of the size of a sample. For example, steel has a density
of 7.85 g/cm3 whether you have a tiny steel ball bearing or a large steel beam. Similarly, ice has a density
of 0.92 g/ cm3 whether you have an ice cube or a glacier. Thus, we can use density to identify an unknown
substance.
Calipers are often used to obtain a better measurement of length for small objects. They also may be used
where a ruler would be awkward (e.g. for inside or outside diameters).
Caliper Directions
1. Make sure the caliper jaws are closed. Roll the wheel on the bottom if needed to close the jaws.
2. Turn the calipers on by pressing the mm/in button. (If the display does not come on, the battery must
be replaced. Bring your calipers to your instructor for a replacement battery.)
3. Press the “0” button to zero the display. The display should now read 0.00 mm, not in.
4. Roll the wheel on the bottom to open the caliper jaws and insert the metal slug so that it fits between
the ends of the jaws. Move the round knob to lock the object while the measurement is taken.
GCC CHM 130LL: Density GCC, Spring 2016 page 1 of 6
5. Record the measurement shown in the digital display in mm.
6. The calipers will turn off automatically.
Graduated cylinders are used to contain and deliver measured amounts of liquid. They are available in
many sizes. You will use the 10 mL and 100 mL sizes. The 10-mL graduated cylinders are always read to
2 decimal places (e.g. 5.50 mL) and the 100-mL graduated cylinders are always read to 1 decimal place
(e.g. 50.5 mL).
4
When water is placed in a glass cylinder, a concave surface forms;
this curve is called the meniscus. Glass graduated cylinders are
manufactured so that the line at the bottom of the meniscus gives the
most accurate reading. In order to read any graduated cylinder 3
accurately, it must be level (sitting on the counter, NOT hand-held).
Your eye must also be perpendicular to the water level.
2.77 mL
The 10-mL graduated cylinder above is read to two decimal places
(to the nearest 0.01 mL). Thus, the volume of liquid is read to be 2
2.77 mL.
Note that 100-mL graduated cylinders have markings for each mL,
so they are read to one decimal place (to the nearest 0.1 mL).
Procedure
A. Density of a Cylindrical Metal “Slug”
1. Record the unknown number for your slug. Place it upright near the center of the balance pan, and
weigh it. Record all the numbers, as displayed by the balance. NEVER round the mass reported
on an electronic balance! Write down all the numbers always.
2. Use calipers to measure the metal slug. (Refer to the caliper directions in the introduction.)
Always re-zero your calipers before taking a measurement. Carefully measure and record the
diameter and the height of your slug in mm.
3. Convert your measurements from mm to cm (given: 10mm = 1 cm)
4. To calculate the volume in cubic centimeters (cc or cm3), use the formula for the volume of a
cylinder, V = r2h, where h = height, = 3.1416 and r = radius. The radius is one half of the
1
diameter: radius = diameter. Note the 2 is an exact number when dividing by 2.
2
m
5. Calculate the density in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) using the formula for density, d ,
V
where d=density, m=mass, and V=volume.
B. Density of an Unknown Liquid
For your unknown liquid, obtain measurements of volume and corresponding mass by following the
directions below. Include the appropriate units for all your measurements.
Note: Never add liquid to a container while it is on the balance because liquids can damage the
balances!
1. Record the unknown number for the unknown liquid at your station.
2. Weigh an empty, dry 10 mL graduated cylinder, and record the complete mass.
3. Remove the graduated cylinder from the balance. Use your unknown dropper bottle at your station
to transfer about 2 mL of your liquid into the graduated cylinder.
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4. Now read and record the volume of liquid in the graduated cylinder (to 2 decimal places) in
the table under the Trial 1 column.
5. Do you have the volume recorded? If not go one step back. Now place the graduated cylinder on
the balance, and record the complete mass of the graduated cylinder with the liquid under Trial 1.
6. Remove the graduated cylinder from the balance. Add about 2 mL more of the liquid to the
amount already present. Read and record the new (total) volume of liquid in the graduated
cylinder under Trial #2.
7. Reweigh the graduated cylinder with the new level of liquid, and record the complete mass under
Trial 2.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 two more times for Trials 3 and 4.
9. Calculate the mass of liquid for each trial using the formula below:
Mass of liquid = “Mass of grad. cylinder + liquid” – “Mass of empty grad. Cylinder”
m
10. Calculate and record the density for each trial using d . Make sure to give the correct units
V
and the correct number of significant figures for your density values.
11. Calculate and record the average density for your sample with the correct units.
Waste disposal: Pour your unknown liquid down the sink and clean the graduated cylinder.
Example: The density of lead is 11.4 g/mL. How much does a 575 mL sample of lead mass in grams?
11.4 𝑔
575 mL ( 1 𝑚𝐿 ) = 6560 g
Example: The density of lead is 11.4 g/mL. How many mL is a 46.2 g sample of lead?
1 𝑚𝐿
46.2 g (11.4 𝑔) = 4.05 mL
Mass = ________________ g
Show the set-up to calculate the volume of the cylindrical slug using the formula for volume as V = r2h,
where h = height, = 3.1416 and r = radius. Give radius and height in cm for this calculation.
Volume of liquid
Mass of liquid
Density of liquid
Trial 1: Trial 2:
Trial 3: Trial 4:
Show the calculation for the density of the rubber stopper below:
1. Calculate the density of a piece of solid gold if the gold weighs 82.5 g and has a volume of 4.30 mL.
2. Calculate the density of lotion if the contents of a bottle of 650 mL weighs 1170 grams.
3. The density of ethanol is 0.789 g/mL. How much will 1250 mL of ethanol mass in grams?
4. The density of mercury is 13.6 g/mL. What is the volume of 72 grams of mercury?
5. The density of silver is 10.5 g/cm3. If a pure silver coin has a volume of 45 cm3, what is its mass?
6. The density of chloroform is 1.483 g/mL. What is the mass of 1.250 L of chloroform?
7. The density of aluminum is 2.70 g/cm3. What is the volume of 8850 mg of aluminum?
8. The density of copper is 8.96 g/cm3. What is the volume of a copper ring that masses 103.5428
grams?