SNC1W LAB: DENSITY (RELATING MASS AND VOLUME)
Introduction:
Which is heavier: a kilogram of feathers or a kilogram of lead? Once you think about it,
the answer is obvious. But this question points out an important difference between
feathers and lead. Equal masses of these two substances have very different volumes.
Materials:
electronic balance
100 mL graduated cylinder
various objects
Methods:
1. In your notebook, draw a data table like the one below. In the first column list the #
of the object (1, 2, 3, …).
2. Retrieve an object from the teacher. Write a brief description of the object (odour,
texture, colour, …).
3. Use a balance to measure the mass of the object
a) Record the mass of the object in your data table.
4. Pour approximately 40 mL of water into the graduated cylinder. Record the exact
volume of water used.
5. Tilt the graduated cylinder slightly and gently slide the object into it. Return the
cylinder to the upright position. If necessary, hold the object beneath the surface of
the water with the tip of a pencil. Read the new volume.
b) Record the combined volume of the water and the object in your data table.
c) Calculate the volume of the object, and record the volume in your data table. This
method of calculating the volume of an object is known as the “water
displacement technique”. (Hint: 1.0 mL = 1.0 cm3).
NOTE: For an accurate reading, be sure to have
your eye at the same level as the top of the
liquid. The upper surface curves downward
where it touches the side of the container; this
curved surface is called the meniscus. Read the
volume at the lowest part of the meniscus.
6. Dry the object and return it.
7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for the remaining objects.
d) Record your results in your data table.
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8. Calculate the mass-to-volume ratio of each object by dividing the mass (g) of the
object by the volume (cm3) of the object (i.e. D = m/V). This relationship is called
density.
e) Record the results of your calculation in the data table.
Analysis:
1. What are two sources of error in this lab? How did they affect your results? What
could you do to eliminate these errors if you were to do the lab again?
2. What do you notice about the densities of those objects that float compared to those
that sink? Recall that the density of water is 1.0 g/cm 3.
3. Which objects, if any, do you think are made of the same material? Explain your
reasoning.
4. In terms of the relationship between mass, volume, and density, explain the
difference between 1.0 kg of feathers and 1.0 kg of lead.
5. When rocks from the Moon were brought back to Earth by the Apollo astronauts,
they were carefully analyzed and stored. Suppose you are shown a rock that
someone claims came from the Moon. You can’t do chemical tests on the rock, in
case it really is a valuable Moon rock. Explain how you might go about testing
whether the rock came from the Moon.
**THISWILL BE A FORMAL LAB REPORT, BUT WE WILL BE WRITING THIS ONE
TOGETHER IN CLASS AS PRACTICE. FOR FUTURE LABS, YOU WILL BE WRITING
YOUR OWN REPORT.
