Chi Kien Huynh

CHEM-1311-309
10 April 2024
LAB 6 REPORT
I. TITLE:
The objective of this experiment is to determine the density of a metal and a liquid using
the appropriate methods.
II. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the density of a metal and a liquid using
experimental techniques. Density is an important physical property that characterizes the
mass per unit volume of a substance. By measuring the mass and volume of the metal
samples and the liquid, we can calculate their respective densities. Understanding the
density of a substance is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications, including
material characterization, quality control, and formulation of solutions. Additionally, this
experiment aims to demonstrate the application of the water displacement method for
determining the density of solids and the direct measurement method for determining the
density of liquids. Through this experiment, we will also practice laboratory skills such as
accurate measurement, data recording, and data analysis.
III. MATERIALS/REAGENTS/SAFETY:
A. Determination of the Density of a Metal.
- Materials:
o Graduated cylinder (50mL).
o Beaker (25mL).
- Reagents:
o Water (liquid)/H2O.
o Five sample of the same metal
- Safety:
o Wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gloves,
and lab coat.
o Waste must be disposed in the inorganic waste bottle.
B. Determination of the Density of a Liquid.
- Materials:
o Graduated cylinder (10mL).
o Beral pipet.
- Reagents:
o Water (liquid)/H2O.
o NaCl solution.
- Safety:
o Wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, gloves,
and lab coat.
o Waste must be disposed in the inorganic waste bottle.
IV. PROCEDURE:
A. Determination of the Density of a Metal.
- To determine the density of a metal, begin by obtaining five samples of the same
metal. Using an analytical balance, weigh the first sample to the nearest 0.001 gram
and record the mass. Next, fill a 50-mL graduated cylinder approximately half full
 with tap water, ensuring the volume is recorded to the nearest 0.1 mL. Carefully slide
the metal sample into the water in the graduated cylinder, making sure it is fully
submerged. Record the final volume of the water with the metal sample to the nearest
0.1 mL. The difference between the initial and final volumes represents the volume of
the metal sample, obtained using the water displacement method. Empty the cylinder,
dry the metal sample, and repeat the volume measurement process. Repeat these steps
for the remaining four metal samples. Calculate the average volume for each sample.
- Proceed to the MicroLab and prepare a hand-entered graph of the data with mass on
the y-axis and the average volume on the x-axis, including an origin (0.000g, 0.00
mL) with the data. The slope of this plot will represent the density of the metal.
Ensure that the graph includes all data points and check the correlation coefficient for
accuracy. If necessary, remove any outliers to improve the correlation.
B. Determination of the Density of a Liquid.
- To determine the density of a liquid, weigh a clean and dry 10.0-mL graduated
cylinder on a zeroed electronic balance, recording all digits displayed. Using a Beral
pipet, add exactly 4.0 mL of tap water to the graduated cylinder and record the
volume. Weigh the graduated cylinder with the 4.0 mL of water and record the mass.
Determine the difference between the initial and final masses to obtain the mass of
water. Repeat these steps for two additional trials, each with 7.0 mL and 10.0 mL of
water, respectively. Lastly, repeat the entire procedure using a solution of NaCl.
Record each density on the Data Sheet using the correct units and number of
significant figures.
V. RESULTS/ DATA TABLES:
A. Determination of the Density of a Metal.
- Calculate the volume of each metal sample using the formula:
o Volume = Final Volume – Initial Volume
o Average Volume of metal sample = (Volume of Trial 1 + Volume of Trial 2) / 2
- Calculate the density of each metal sample using the formula:

Number of samples 1 2 3 4 5
Number of trials 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
Mass of metal sample
14.586 g 18.714 g 21.172 g 25.340 g 22.860 g
(g)
Initial volume of H2O 25
25 mL 25mL 25.5 mL 25 mL 26 mL 25 mL 24 mL 24 mL 25 mL
(mL) mL
Volume of metal+H2O 32.5 34
30.5 mL 30 ml 32 mL 32 mL 33 mL 33 mL 32 mL 32 mL
(mL) mL mL
Volume of metal (mL) 5.5 mL 5 mL 6.5 mL 7 mL 7 mL 7.5 mL 9 mL 9 mL 8 mL 7 mL
Average volume of
5.25 mL 6.75 mL 7.25 mL 9 mL 7.5 mL
metal sample (mL)
Density of
2.78 g/mL 2.77 g/mL 2.92 g/mL 2.82 g/mL 3.05 g/mL
metal sample
o Density = Mass/Volume
- The metal of this experiment is Aluminum.
B. Determination of the Density of a Liquid.
- Calculate the volume of each liquid sample using the formula:
 o Volume = Final Volume – Initial Volume
- Calculate the density of the liquid using formula:
o Density = Mass of Liquid / Volume of Liquid
o Average Density of Liquid = (Density of Trial 1 + Density of Trial 2 + Density
of Trial 3) / 3
- Water/ H2O
Number of trials 1 2 3
Volume of H2O (mL) 4 mL 7 mL 10 mL
Mass of graduated cylinder (g) 26.246 g 26.246 g 26.246 g
Mass of graduated cylinder + H2O (g) 30.367 g 33.390 g 36.203 g
Mass of H2O (g) 4.121 g 7.144 g 9.957 g
Density of H2O (g/mL) 1.03 g/mL 1.021 g/mL 0.9957 g/mL
Average density 1.016 g/mL
- NaCl solution
Number of trials 1 2 3
Volume of NaCl (mL) 4 mL 7 mL 10 mL
Mass of graduated cylinder (g) 26.246 g 26.246 g 26.246 g
Mass of graduated cylinder + NaCl (g) 30.698 g 33.891 g 37.142 g
Mass of NaCl (g) 4.452 g 7.645 g 10.896 g
Density of NaCl (g/mL) 1.113 g/mL 1.092 g/mL 1.0896 g/mL
Average density 1.0982 g/mL
VI. ANALYSIS:
- The experiment aimed to determine the density of both a metal and a liquid through
experimental methods. Density is a fundamental physical property that quantifies the
mass per unit volume of a substance. The results obtained from the experiment
provide valuable insights into the properties of the materials tested.
A. Determination of the Density of a Metal.
- Calculate the volume of each metal sample using the formula:
o Volume = Final Volume – Initial Volume
o Average Volume of metal sample = (Volume of Trial 1 + Volume of Trial 2) / 2
- The calculation of the volume of each metal samples:
o Sample 1:
 Trial 1: 30.5 – 25 = 5.5 mL
 Trial 2: 30 – 25 = 5 mL
 Average: (5.5 + 5) / 2 = 5.25 mL
o Sample 2:
 Trial 1: 32 – 25.5 = 6.5 mL
 Trial 2: 32 – 25 = 7 mL
 Average: (6.5 + 7) / 2 = 6.75 mL
o Sample 3:
 Trial 1: 33 – 26 = 7 mL
 Trial 2: 32.5 – 25 = 7.5 mL
 Average: (7 + 7.5) / 2 = 7.25 mL
 o Sample 4:
 Trial 1: 34 – 25 = 9 mL
 Trial 2: 33 – 24 = 9 mL
 Average: (9 + 9) / 2 = 9 mL
o Sample 5:
 Trial 1: 32 – 24 = 8 mL
 Trial 2: 32 – 25 = 7 mL
 Average: (8 + 7) / 2 = 7.5 mL
- Calculate the density of each metal sample using the formula:
o Density = Mass/Average Volume
- The Calculation of the density of metal samples:
o Sample 1: 14.586 / 5.25 = 2.78 g/mL
o Sample 2: 18.714 / 6.75 = 2.77 g/mL
o Sample 3: 21.172 / 7.25 = 2.92 g/mL
o Sample 4: 25.340 / 9 = 2.82 g/mL
o Sample 5: 22.860/ 7.5 = 3.05 g/mL
B. Determination of the Density of a Liquid.
- Calculate the mass of each liquid sample using the formula:
o Mass = Final Mass – Initial Mass
- The calculation of the mass of each liquid in 3 trials:
o Water:
 Trial 1: 30.367 – 26.246 = 4.121 g
 Trial 2: 33.390 – 26.246 = 7.144 g
 Trial 3: 36.203 – 26.246 = 9.957 g
o NaCl:
 Trial 1: 30.698 – 26.246 = 4.452 g
 Trial 2: 33.891 – 26.246 = 7.645 g
 Trial 3: 37.142 – 26.246 = 10.896 g
- Calculate the density of each liquid using formula:
o Density = Mass of Liquid / Volume of Liquid
o Average Density of Liquid = (Density of Trial 1 + Density of Trial 2 + Density
of Trial 3) / 3
- The calculation of the density and the average density of each liquid:
o Water:
 Trial 1: 4.121 / 4 = 1.03 g/mL
 Trial 2: 7.144 / 7 = 1.021 g/mL
 Trial 3: 9.957 / 10 = 0.9957 g/mL
 Average density: (1.03 + 1.021 + 0.9957) / 3 = 1.016 g/mL
o NaCl:
 Trial 1: 4.452 / 4 = 1.113 g/mL
 Trial 2: 7.645 / 7 = 1.092 g/mL
 Trial 3: 10.896 / 10 = 1.0896 g/mL
 Average density: (1.113 + 1.092 + 1.0896) / 3 = 1.0982 g/mL
VII. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION:
 - In this experiment, the densities of both a metal (aluminum) and a liquid (water and
NaCl solution) were determined using experimental techniques. The results obtained
provide valuable insights into the physical properties of the materials tested and the
accuracy of the methods employed.
A. Determination of the Density of a Metal.
o The calculated densities of the metal samples ranged from 2.77 g/mL to 3.05
g/mL. These values are consistent with the known density of aluminum,
which is approximately 2.70 g/mL. The slight variations observed could be
attributed to experimental error, such as inaccuracies in measurement or
variations in sample composition.
B. Determination of the Density of a Liquid.
o For both water and the NaCl solution, the densities were calculated to be close
to the expected values of 1 g/mL for water and slightly higher for the NaCl
solution due to the presence of solute particles. The average densities obtained
were 1.016 g/mL for water and 1.0982 g/mL for the NaCl solution, indicating
the accuracy of the experimental procedures.
- In conclusion, this experiment successfully determined the densities of a metal and
liquids using experimental methods. The results obtained contribute to our
understanding of the physical properties of these materials and demonstrate the
importance of accurate measurement techniques in scientific investigations.
VIII. SOURCES:
Whitmarsh, R. Chemistry I Lab Manual; San Jacinto College South, 2018.