Download Density Mini-Lab

Name: ________________________
Per: _____ Date: _______________
Density Mini-Lab
Read section 5.8 (pages 142-143) in your textbook on density and answer the following questions
BEFORE starting the lab.
1. Which is heavier, a pound of lead or a pound of feathers? Make sure you give the correct answer
and EXPLAIN WHY!
2. Define density.
3. What is the equation for density?
4. How is the volume of a solid object often determined?
5. Density can be measured in g/mL AND g/cm3. Explain how this can be (hint: Mega Metric
Mania Chart – not in the book)
6. Explain how you will determine the density of different metals in this lab (read the procedure).
Density Mini-Lab Procedure
Get into pairs or groups of three to complete this mini-lab.
1. Measure the mass of each metal piece (copper, aluminum, and iron) using the scale.
a. Record in your data table accurately. Include units
2. Measure the volume of each metal.
a. Fill the 100 mL graduated cylinder to about 80 mL. Record the ACTUAL initial volume.
b. Put the metal into the graduated cylinder.
c. Measure the new volume of the water. Record as your final volume. Watch those
uncertainty values. Make sure you have enough digits!
d. Subtract your final volume from your initial volume to determine the volume of the metal.
3. Calculate the density for each cube.
a. Show your calculations in your data table (plug the numbers into the equation).
b. Record density for each cube in your data table. Round to the nearest tenths. Include
units.
4. Dry your metal pieces and repeat steps 1-4 two more times so you have three total trials.
5. Dry your metal pieces and return. Get the actual density value for each metal and calculate your
percent error using your average density.
o Show your calculations (plug the numbers into the equation).
o Round to the nearest hundredth.
DATA TABLE - Copper
Mass
(g)
Trial
Initial H2O
Volume
(mL)
Final H2O
Volume
(mL)
Volume of
Metal
(mL)
Density Calculations
Density
1
2
3
Average
DATA TABLE - Aluminum
Mass
(g)
Trial
Initial H2O
Volume
(mL)
Final H2O
Volume
(mL)
Volume of
Metal
(mL)
Density Calculations
Density
1
2
3
Average
DATA TABLE - Iron
Mass
(g)
Trial
Initial H2O
Volume
(mL)
Final H2O
Volume
(mL)
Volume of
Metal
(mL)
Density Calculations
1
2
3
Average
Percent Error
Copper:
Actual Value: ________________
Percent Error: _____________
Aluminum:
Actual Value: ________________
Percent Error: _____________
Iron:
Actual Value: ________________
Percent Error: _____________
Density
Practice Problems
Solve the following problems in the space provided. SHOW YOUR WORK!
1. A rock has a mass of 127 g and displaces 32.1 mL of water. What is the density of the rock?
2. A 1.00-L sample of carbon tetrachloride has a mass of 1.58 kg. What is the density of this
substance in g/cm3?
3. A bar of silver has a mass of 68.0g and a volume of 6.48 cm3. What is the density of silver?
4. The mass of a plastic plate is 4.5g; the plate displaces 2.1 mL of water. What is the density of the
plastic plate?
T-Tables
5. The volume of a certain liquid is 23.5 mL. The density of the liquid is 1.492g/mL. What is the
mass of the liquid?
6. The density of gold is 19.3 g/mL. A gold statue has a mass of 3.6 x 103g. What is the volume of
water that will be displaced by the gold statue?
7. The mass of mercury (Hg) in a thermometer is 225g. The density of mercury is 13.6 g/mL, what
volume will the mercury displace?
8. The mass of a piece of lead is 9.6 x 104 kg. The density of lead is 11.3 g/mL. What volume does
the lead displace in liters?