DENSITY OF WATER

DCP & CE

Purpose
 To determine the density of distilled water.
 To collect, process, and present data.
 To apply uncertainty in measurements.

Background
The density of a sample of mater represents the mass within a unit volume of space.
mass
Density =
volume

Densities are usually determined and reported at 20˚C because the volume of a sample, and hence the
density, will often vary with temperature. This is especially true for gases with small changes for liquids and
solids. References always specify the temperature at which a density was determined.

The determination of the density of certain physiological liquids is often an important screening tool in
medical diagnosis. For example, if the density of urine difers from normal values, this may indicate a
problem with the kidneys secreting substances that should not be lost from the body. The determination of
density is almost always performed during urinalysis.

The slope of the line shows the density of water. The formula for slope is: SLOPE = RISE divided by the RUN.
The formula for density is DENSITY = MASS divided by the VOLUME. By comparing the two formulas you
should note that the RISE on your graph is the MASS and the RUN on your graph is the VOLUME.

Materials
10 mL graduated cylinder, electronic balance, dropper, and distilled water

Procedure
1. Mass a dry 10 mL graduated cylinder.
2. Put in exactly 1 mL of water using the dropper provided and record the mass.
3. Add 1 more mL and record the new mass.
4. Continue adding 1 mL at a time until you reach 10 mL of water.
5. Repeat Steps 1-4 two more times.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for the diet pop and regular pop
7. Calculate the density of water.

Laboratory Report:

Your lab report should include:

A. Data Collection and Processing

Results
 o Include all the results in table form with the associated error in a column beside the measure value. At
the bottom of the table you should discuss how you determined the error for each measuring device.
o Qualitative observations
o Proper significant digits

Data Analysis + Error Analysis

o Using the data create a graph to determine the density for each substance and the error
o Determine the data for each substance using only one data point using error propagation

B. Conclusion and evaluation

Conclusion

o State your final results with error

o Comment on the accuracy (if possible) and the precision
o Be sure to source where you obtained the accepted values from.