Density

Purpose
To understand the meaning and significance of density. To understand the methods of determining density. To understand the mathematical relationship between mass and volume by graphic interpretation of collected data.

Introduction
Density, the ratio of a substances mass to its volume, is a basic property of a substance. It is an intensive property, which means that the density does not vary with the size of the sample. The determination of density can be used to help distinguish one substance from another. Densities of substances change slightly with temperature, generally decreasing with increasing temperature. The density of pure water at 4C is 1.00000 g/mL. Waters density decreases with increasing temperature above 4C, but, unlike most substances, also decreases with decreasing temperature below 4C. Density can be determined by measuring mass and volume in the laboratory. In this lab, mass will be determined precisely using a milligram balance and volume will be measured in a variety of ways. In Part I, the volume of a regular geometric solid will be calculated from measured dimensions. In Part II, the volume of an irregular solid will be measured by water displacement. In Part III, a pycnometer will be used to measure the volume of a liquid. A pycnometer is a container constructed so that it can be filled precisely to a constant volume.

Procedure
Part I Density of a Regular Geometric Solid

1. 2.

Use a vernier caliper to measure the length and diameter of a metal cylinder. Determine the mass of the cylinder to the maximum sensitivity allowed by the balance.

Part II Density of an Irregular Solid 1. Using a small beaker and the tare feature of your balance, determine the mass of approximately 20 mL of metal shot, using the same metal that was used in Part I. 2. Obtain a flask with a ground-glass stopper and fill it completely with distilled water, making sure to exclude air bubbles. Insert the stopper. Dry the outside of the flask, including the groove on the top between the flask and stopper. 3. Measure the total mass of the flask, stopper and water. 4. Holding the flask over the sink, carefully pour the metal shot into the flask, allowing the excess water to spill into the sink. Try to exclude any air bubbles. Refill the flask with water and stopper. 5. Dry the outside and measure the mass of the whole assembly. 6. Measure the temperature of the water to the nearest 0.1 C. 7. Pour the wet metal shot onto a paper towel to dry. 8. Obtain mass and volume data from classmates who used the same metal.

Part III Density of a Pure Liquid 1. Obtain a pycnometer which holds approximately 50 mL. You must calibrate it to obtain its precise volume. (steps 2-8 ) Clean and dry the pycnometer by rinsing it several times with small samples of acetone. Use an aspirator to hasten the drying process. Determine the mass of the clean, dry pycnometer with stopper to maximum precision. Obtain about 60 mL of distilled water and measure its temperature to the nearest 0.1C. Fill the pycnometer with water to the beginning of the ground surface. Tap it gently with the fingertip to dislodge any bubbles clinging to the walls of the flask. If this does not work, a bent piece of copper wire may be used to scrape the inside walls of the flask. Excessive air bubbles indicate the pycnometer is not clean. Insert the cap straight down. When this is done some water should squeeze out around the cap and some should squeeze out through the capillary bore. Thoroughly dry the outside of the flask with paper toweling, except for the flat top of the cap around the bore mouth. This area should temporarily remain in an overfilled condition. Be sure to blot any water trapped in the lip at the base of the stopper. Inspect for bubbles in the pycnometer, particularly under the cap. If a bubble is found, remove the cap, refill the pycnometer and reinsert the cap. Carry the pycnometer and a paper towel to the balance. Just prior to massing, the overfilled condition of the pycnometer may be reduced by touching the edge of the paper towel to the edge of the flat top with care to avoid siphoning out excess liquid through the towels capillary action. Immediately place the pycnometer on the balance and measure the mass. Empty about 5 mL of the water from the pycnometer and repeat the filling procedure to obtain a second calibration value. Empty all the water from the pycnometer and rinse with acetone to dry completely. Fill the dry pycnometer with unknown liquid, using all the same care and precision you did with the water. Avoid contact with the liquid. Measure the mass. Empty approximately 5 mL of the unknown liquid from the pycnometer into the appropriately labeled waste container, not into the sink. Refill and remass.

2. 3. 4.

5.

6.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Calculations
Part I 1. Calculate the volume of the regular solid. 2. Calculate the density of the regular solid. 3. Calculate the percent error. Part II 1. Determine the mass of the water displaced by the metal shot. 2. Using the density of water, calculate the volume of the water displaced. (Make sure you use the precise density of water at the temperature you measured.) 3. Calculate the density of the metal shot. 4. Calculate percent error. 5. Using mass and volume measurement data obtained from classmates, make a graph. Plot mass in grams on the y-axis and volume in mL on the x-axis. Scale the axes so that the values start from zero at the origin and so that most of the graph paper is used. 6. Using a graphic calculator to determine the slope of the line, which represents density. 7. Graph the same data on the computer using graphical analysis. Have the computer calculate slope, using linear regression. Print the graph along with statistical information. 8. Calculate percent error, using either slope (step 6 or 7).

Part III 1. Calculate the volume of the water (pycnometer) by using the average mass of the water and the precise density of the water at the temperature you measured. 2. Calculate the density of the unknown liquid, using the average mass of the liquid. 3. Obtain the identity of the liquid you were given, look up the accepted value and calculate the percent error.

Data
Part I Density of a Regular Geometric Solid

Metal used Length Diameter Mass

Part II Density of an Irregular Solid

Mass of Solid Mass of flask, stopper, water Mass of flask, stopper, water, solid Temperature of water Mass of displaced water Density of water Mass (g) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Part III Density of Pure Liquid

Volume (mL)

Trial 1 Mass of empty pycnometer Temperature of water Density of water Mass of pycnometer filled with water Mass of water Mass of pycnometer filled with liquid Mass of pure liquid Results

Trial 2

Part I

1 2 3
Part II

Volume of regular solid Density of regular solid Percent error

1 2 3 4 6 7 8
Part III

Mass of water Volume of water Density of metal shot Percent error Slope-graphic calculator (density) Slope-graphical analysis (density) Percent error Volume of water Density of unknown liquid Percent error

1 2 3

Questions 1. Give the major source of error for each of the three parts. Tell how each affected the results. (Your calculated density was higher or lower as a result of the error?) Explain.

2. Compare the two percent errors calculated in Part II. Which density determination was most accurate? What is the advantage of using the graphical technique? Will it always give the greatest accuracy? Explain.