Determination of Densities

De La Salle University Dasmarias Dasmarias City, Cavite

ABSTRACT The determination of densities was demonstrated by measuring the density of different materials and reagents whether it is regularly-shaped solid, irregularly-shaped solid and even liquid. Getting the accurate density of the said materials and reagents was determined by using the mass and volume of the substances. Also, in this experiment the rules of significant figures were applied in measuring the weight and volume of the substances. The used of having the different types of liquid was to have a deeper understanding of the different densities of the respective liquids. Also, the different application on how to get the density of regularly-shaped solid and irregularly-shaped solid were performed. In regularly-shaped solid, the use of metric ruler and beam balance were applied, while in irregularly-shaped solid, the use of water displacement method was applied. The determination of densities of different substances was performed to have definite information regarding different substances.

INTRODUCTION The study of chemistry involves not only observing or looking unto the changes in matter or different substances, but also measuring these changes. In fact, most chemical principles cannot be fully understood without obtaining and analyzing some quantitative data. The use of data collection, data analysis, and measurement are an important part of chemistry Density is a quantitative and intrinsic property of a material. It is determined by the ratio of the amount of matter (mass) to the space occupied (volume). Density is generally articulated in for liquids, for solids and for gases. It also depicts the characteristic property of the material. The formula for density is: Where: D = density, M = mass and V = volume The mass of the solid or liquid substances may be measured by using the beam balance. Primarily the volume of the liquid samples may be taken from a graduated c ylinder. For the regularly-shaped solids like a cube or a rectangular solid, their volume can be measured using the formula V=S and V=lwh respectively. S refers to the length of one of the sides of the cube while l, w, and h refer to the length, width, and height of the cube or rectangular solid. In getting the volumes of the irregularly-shaped solids, the water displacement method may be used. The irregularly-shaped solid is immersed in water and the volume of water that hath changes will be measured. The changes in the volume of the water will serve as the volume of the irregularly-shaped solids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The materials used are 10mL and 100mL graduated cylinder, watch glass, triple beam balance, metric ruler, block of wood, pebbles, marble, 5.0mL isopropyl alcohol, coconut oil and kerosene, and 50mL water. The materials were made sure to be clean, dry and free from unwanted variables to lessen the chance on getting incorrect measurements. The volume of the liquids was measured using a graduated cylinder.

I. Densities of Liquids I.1. Density of Water A 100mL dry, empty graduated cylinder was weighed on a triple beam balance to get its mass. 50mL of water was filled in it and was weighed again to get the mass of the graduated cylinder with water. I.2. Density of Liquids other than Water A 10mL dry, empty graduated cylinder was weighed on a triple beam balance to get its mass. 5.0mL of liquid sample was filled in it and was weighed again to get the mass of the graduated cylinder with the liquid sample. The procedure was repeated using other samples (1.2 for isopropyl alcohol, 1.3 for coconut oil and 1.4 for unknown liquid sample). II. Densities of Solids II.1 Density of Regularly-Shaped Solids II.1.1 Density of a Rectangular Solid A metric ruler was used to measure the length, width, and height of it to the nearest tenth of a centimeter. The rectangular solid was weighed to the nearest tenth of a gram. II.1.2 Density of Spherical Solid A metric ruler was used to measure the diameter of it to the nearest tenth of a centimeter. Then it was weighed to the nearest tenth of gram. II.2 Density of Irregularly-shaped Solid A clean and dry watch glass was weighed and pieces of pebbles were put to the watch glass and weigh again. On the other hand, a 30ml of water was added to 100ml graduated cylinder, the pebbles were added to the container and the final volume was determined.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS After properly following the procedures of the experiment, the following data were tabulated. I. Densities of Liquids I.1 Water Mass of dry, empty cylinder Mass of cylinder and water Mass of water Volume of water Experimental density of water Known density of water at 30C Percentage Error I.2 Isopropyl Alcohol Mass of dry, empty cylinder Mass of cylinder and isopropyl alcohol Mass of isopropyl alcohol Volume of isopropyl alcohol Experimental density of isopropyl alcohol Known density of isopropyl alcohol Percentage Error I.3 Coconut Oil Mass of dry, empty cylinder Mass of cylinder and coconut oil Mass of coconut oil Volume of coconut oil Experimental density of coconut oil Known density of coconut oil at 30C Percentage Error 1.4 Unknown Liquid Sample Mass of dry, empty cylinder Mass of cylinder and liquid sample Mass of liquid sample Volume of liquid Experimental density of liquid Identity of liquid sample Known density of liquid sample Percentage Error II. Densities of Solids 2.1 Density of Regularly-Shaped Solids 2.1.1 Rectangular Solid

Mass of solid Length Width Height Volume Density 2.1.2 Spherical Solid Mass of solid Diameter Volume Density 2.2 Density of Irregularly-Shaped Solids Pebbles Mass of empty watch glass Mass of watch glass and pebbles Mass of pebbles Initial volume of water in cylinder Final volume of water in cylinder Volume of pebbles Density of pebbles

REFERENCES (1) Figueroa, L. V. and Samonte, J.L. 2007. Laboratory Manual for General Chemistry. 3 Ed.Manila: C & E Publishing, Inc.
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