Chemistry I and Laboratory (HS 105)

Lab Experiment : Density Determination

Name: ----------------------------------- Date: ---------------

Introduction

Density is a basic physical property of a homogeneous substance; it is an intensive

property, which means it depends only on the substance's composition and does not vary with
size or amount. The determination of density is a physical process for distinguishing one
substance from another. Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance.

m mass
d V volume

In the metric system the unit of density for a liquid is in g/mL and of a solid is measured
3 3
in g/cm . The cm volume unit used with solids is numerically equal to mL volume unit used
3
with liquids. That is, 1 mL = 1 cm . In this experiment you will determine the density of a liquid
and the density of an irregular shaped rock.

Which is heavier, a pound of aluminum or a pound of lead? The answer, of course, is

neither, but many people confuse the words "heavy" and "dense" "Heavy" refers to mass only.
Density is the mass of a substance contained in a unit of volume. Lead is a very dense metal and
contains a large quantity of matter in a small volume, while aluminum, being much less dense,
contains a smaller quantity of matter in the same volume.

1
 The volume of 20 grams of lead is 1.77 mL. Calculate its density?

mass 20 g
Density of lead = = = 11.3g / mL

volume 1.77mL

The volume of 20.0 g of aluminum is 7.41

mL.Calculate its density?

20 g
Density of aluminum = = 2.70g / mL

7.41mL

o
The density of water, then, is 1 g/mL at 4 C. Since the volume occupied by one gram of
water varies slightly with temperature, the density also varies slightly with changes in
temperature.

The mass of the object can be measured in the lab using a balance while the volume can be
measured using a graduated cylinder.

2
Determine the Density of a Liquid

Materials and Equipment :

Unknown Liquid , electronic balance , graduated cylinder , 50 ml beaker , test tube

Procedures:
1. Prepare the following data table in your notebook:

Mass of empty 50 mL beaker = ………………….

Mass of 50 mL beaker + unknown liquid = …………………
Mass of unknown liquid = ………………….
Volume of unknown Liquid = …………………

2. Based on the information you collected, Calculate the density of the Unknown liquid ?

3. Is it more dense or less dense than water? Explain Your answer

3
 Determine the Density of an irregular solid

Materials and Equipment :

rock , electronic balance , graduated cylinder , Tap water

Procedures:

1. Prepare the following data table in your notebook:

Mass of empty rock = ……………….

Volume of tap water in graduated cylinder = …………………
Volume of tap water after adding the rock = …………………
volume of rock = ………………….

2. Calculate the density of the irregular shaped rock? ( Show your calculations )

3. Based on the data you gathered throughout in your experiment, Assume you add the irregular
solid to a sample of water, will it float or sink? Explain Your answer

Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry 9th Edition by Jo Allan Beran (Author) ISBN-13: 978-
0470647899, ISBN-10: 0470647892

4
Final Checklist
1. Clean your equipment and work benches before you leave.
2. Return all equipment to their proper storage area.
3. Submit your answers to the review questions along with your technical report to your instructor
before the next laboratory session.