Discovering Density Lab, 1

Discovering Density Lab

Background
When scientific observations and measurements are made,
sometimes patterns and trends emerge and relationships among different
variables become evident. One of the best ways to recognize the existence
of relationships involving numerical data is to plot the data on a graph.
The mass and volume of a variety of metal samples will be
measured. Mass is measured directly using a balance. The volume of an
irregularly shaped solid, however, cannot be measured directly. Instead, its
volume is measured by an indirect method called Water displacement. The
initial volume of a given amount of Water is measured using a graduated
cylinder. The solid is then carefully added to the Water in the graduated
cylinder and the new (final) volume is recorded. The volume occupied by
the solid must be the same as the volume of water that has been displaced
and is therefore equal to the difference between the final and initial
volumes.

Experiment Overview
The purpose of this experiment is to plot mass and volume data for a set of
metal objects on a graph and to determine the relationship between these
measurements. The trend that is revealed and its application will be
analyzed and used to identify the substance. The precision and accuracy of
the results will also be determined.

Pre-lab Questions
1. Volume measurements will be made using a 50-mL graduated
cylinder, which has major scale divisions marked every 10 mL and
minor scale divisions every 1 mL. What is the estimated uncertainty in
the volume measurements? (Another way to ask the same question:
What is your estimated digit?)

Flinn ChemTopic Labs -Introduction to Chemistry

 Discovering Density Lab, 2

a. The estimated digit would be the hundredths place

2. If the electronic balance reads to the hundredth of a gram, how many

decimals places should your mass measurements go out?
a. The hundredths

3. The volume of a metal cylinder was measured indirectly by water

displacement three times. The following volume readings were
recorded. Calculate the average volume
of the metal cylinder.
a. The average volume is 19.26
Initial Volume (cm​3​) Final Volume (cm​3​)
7.6 19.3
8.0 20.1
6.2 18.4

Materials
Metal shot, Electronic Balance, Beaker, 50-mL Graduated cylinder, Paper
Towels, Weighing boats

Safety Precautions
Although the materials in this experiment are considered non-hazardous,
follow all normal laboratory Safety guidelines. Always wear chemical
Splash goggles when working with glassware in the lab.

Procedure
1. Obtain a sample bag of unknown metal. Bag # 8__
2. If you have no mass, what would the volume of the sample be?
Record this value in the first line of the data table
Flinn ChemTopic Labs -Introduction to Chemistry
 Discovering Density Lab, 3

3. Mass a small handful of metal (be sure to use a weigh boat). Ideal
mass 10-20 g of metal.
a. Over five trails, aim to have a variety of mass readings in the
10-20 g range.
4. Measure the volume of this metal sample size using Water
Displacement. On the data table, record the initial volume and final
volume of the water, then subtract to find the change in volume (ie.
volume of metal sample)
a. Carefully add the metal sample to the water in the graduated
cylinder. The best way to do this is to tip the cylinder at a slight
angle and gently slide the metal pieces into the water so that
the water does not splash or splatter (and the glass cylinder
does not break). Record the final volume (volume of water plus
the sample) in the Data Table.
5. Decant the water through your fingers, and dry the sample using
paper towels.
6. Repeat the process of Mass, Water Displace, Dry 4 more trials.

Data​: Bag # _8_

Trial Mass, g Initial Final Volume, Change in

Volume, mL mL Volume, mL

1 15.09g 49 mL 49 mL 0 mL
2 13.82g 49 mL 54.5 mL 5.5 mL
3 17.71g 54.5 mL 61 mL 6.5 mL
4 19.91g 61 mL 68.5 mL 7.5 mL
5 15.48g 68.5 mL 74.9 mL 6.4 mL
6 11.11g 74.9 mL 79 4.1 mL

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 Discovering Density Lab, 4

Graph
Plot the volume (x-axis) and mass (y-axis) data for trials #1-6. Use Google
Sheets to set up a scatter plot graph. Watch this ​video tutorial​ for directions
on how to graph in Google Sheets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC1Is9YJX0k
**Remember to attach your Google Sheet to lab assignments in Google
Classroom.

Post-Lab Questions
1. What kind of trend or pattern is obvious in the data? Is there a
consistent relationship between the volume and mass
measurements? Explain.
a. The higher the mass, the bigger the change in volume

2. Based on your answers to Questions #1, go back to your graph and

add a trendline with the Chart Editor > Customize > Series > Add
Trendline

3. Calculate the slope of the trendline. Show all of your work! What are
the units of the slope? What physical property is represented by the
slope? (​do not ​leave in fraction form)
Rise
m=
Run
● The average density values are equal to that of
the slope
● m=75-15/75-54
m=60/21
m=2.86

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 Discovering Density Lab, 5

● Slope=2.86

4. Use the following information to determine the probable identity of

your metal. What type of metal do you have?
a. The metal is aluminum

Metal Al Brass PVC Steel Zinc Sn Pb Se

Slope 2.71 8.01 1.39 7.61 7.14 7.31 11.34 4.79

(g/mL)

5. Compare ​your slope to the actual slope​, calculate the percent error in
your measurement of the slope and the physical property. The
percent error measures the accuracy of your results. Comment on the
accuracy of this procedure and discuss the sources of experimental
error.
|measured value − accepted value |
% error = accepted value ×100 = %error
|2.86−2.71 |
● % error = 2.71 ×100 = %error
|0.15 |
% error = 2.71 ×100 = %error
% error = 0.0006×100 = %error
% error = 0.06

Flinn ChemTopic Labs -Introduction to Chemistry