02 Density

Experiment 2: Measurement of Density
Purpose
(1) To become familiar with the fundamentals of scientific measurement.
(2) To measure the densities of regularly shaped homogeneous objects.
Theory
If a solid object is homogeneous, its density  can be calculated from the formula:
=m/V (1)
where ‘m’ is the mass of the object and V is its (solid) volume. Its mass is measured using the
beam balance scale. If the object is a regularly shaped object, then its volume can be determined
from its geometry (diameters, lengths radii). A few formulas are given below:
VOLUME
SHAPE IMAGE SYMBOLS
FORMULA
L = length
Rectangular Block V = LxWxH W = width
H = height
r = radius
Right Circular Cylinder V = r2h
h = height
Sphere V = 4r3/3 r = radius
Every measurement has an uncertainty and a limit of precision. To maximize the precision, we
use the best tools available to us, and measure to the highest precision possible. In order to
minimize the uncertainty, we can make several measurements and then calculate the average
measurement (the total of all the measurements divided by the number of measurements).
Alternatively we can measure several objects and find the average of the result. The average
represents our best idea of the actual value. This is the number used in subsequent
calculations. For example, gravity may vary from one location to another so we use the average
value reported, 9.8 m/s2, as the accepted value in calculations.
1
Experiment 2
Apparatus
(1) Dial Caliper: This instrument can measure the dimensions of objects to a precision
of thousands of an inch: 0.001”. The measurement is given by the number of inches
shown on the lower scale plus the number of hundredths shown on the dial. The
thousandths place is then estimated.
(2) Beam Balance: This is used to determine the mass of an object to 0.01g.1
Procedure
(1) First check whether the caliper and balance dials read zero when no object is being
measured. If not, zero them with the help of your instructor.
(2) Copy the table into your data sheet. (Remember to substitute diameter for width and
to omit thickness when you are measuring a cylinder.)
Material Width Thickness

Specimen Length Mass
Sketch and Trial # or diameter or omit
# (inches) (grams)
Color (inches) (inches)
1
1 2
2 etc.
(3) Choose three samples of different materials. Record for each:

a. a sketch of the sample labeled with length, etc
b. the material from which the object is made
c. its color
(4) Measure each dimension of your specimen to 0.001” and record the values and the
units on your data sheet. Use your common sense to evaluate whether the
measurements are accurate. (Ask your instructor for help if you don’t know how to
measure to 0.001” precision.)
(5) Weigh each sample and record the masses to 0.01g in your data table. (Again, ask
your instructor for help if you don’t know how to measure to 0.01g.)
(6) Take two more sets of measurements for a total of three trials for each sample. We
expect small variations in the measurements.
(7) Make sure you know what to do in your lab report before you leave: Make sure you
know how to calculate averages and how to convert from in3 to cm3.
1
NOTE: its weight is found by then multiplying the mass by the ‘g’ factor in the appropriate units.
2
Experiment 2
Lab Report
Copy the table onto your lab report.
(SUBSTITUTE DIAMETER AND/OR LENGTH WHEN APPROPRIATE)
Average Average Average Average
Volume Volume Density
Specimen Length Width Thickness Mass
(in3) (cm3) (gm/cm3)
(in) (in) (in) (gm)
COPY ONTO YOUR LAB REPORT
Calculation of Density
Calculate the average values of the objects’ dimensions and weights and enter it on your
table. Using these average values, calculate the volume of each object in inches 3 with the
formulas provided above. Convert the volumes from in3 to cm3 with the conversion factor
2.54 cm/in (don’t forget to cube this!). Calculate the density of each object in gm/cm 3 according
to formula (1).
Calculation of Error
Find the value of the density for your samples. Identify the material of your sample by
comparing your value to the values below (consider also sample properties such as color and
material). Calculate your percent discrepancy using the known density of the material. If your
measured determination for the density of the sample is meas and the known value is known, then
the percent discrepancy is calculated using the following formula:
meas - known| ᵡ 100%

known
Known Density of Various Metals Material Density (gm/cm3)

Aluminum, Al 2.70
Brass, - 8.4
Copper, Cu 8.96
Iron, Fe 7.87
Lead, Pb 11.4
Plastic, CnHm 1.18
Questions
(1) You are given a cylinder with true dimensions: h = 2.00 in and d = 1.50 in. Suppose you
make a ±5% error (either increase of decrease) when measuring h. What percent error
will this cause in calculating its volume? Justify your answer by calculations or by
algebraic reasoning.
(2) Suppose, with the same cylinder, you make a 5% error when measuring d. What percent
error will this cause in calculating its volume? Justify your answer as before.
(3) You are given a sphere of diameter D = 1.50 in. If you make a 5% error when measuring
D, what percent error will this cause in the volume of the sphere?

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Experiment 2: Measurement of Density

Sphere V = 4r3/3 r = radius

Material Width Thickness

(3) Choose three samples of different materials. Record for each:

COPY ONTO YOUR LAB REPORT

meas - known| ᵡ 100%

Known Density of Various Metals Material Density (gm/cm3)

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