Density Of A Solid
Katie Lindberg Partners: Kyle Somers and Domenic Rossi
Introduction
Density is the mass per unit of volume. It is used to identify materials. In this experiment, the density of several samples of aluminum of different shapes was determined. Density was measured in g/cm3. The real density of aluminum is 2.70 g/cm3.
Two different techniques were used to determine mass. In direct measurement, the object was placed directly on the balance and the number displayed on the scale was recorded. In mass by difference, the mass of a container was determined before an object was added, and then again after it was added. The mass of the object was the difference between the two measurements. Mass was measured in grams
Two different techniques were used to determine volume. In direct measurement, formulas were used. The formula for the volume of a cylinder is πr2h. The formula for the volume of a cube is base by width by height. To find the volume of an irregularly shaped object, the displacement of water was used. It relied on the fact that an object completely submerged in water displaces a volume of water that is equal to its volume. Volume was measured in cm3.
Dependent variable was the density of aluminum, 2.70 g/cm3. The independent variable was the aluminum sample shape, shots, cylinder, or cube. The constant was the material, aluminum.
Safety
Goggles were required. Food and beverages were not allowed in the lab. Hands were washed at the beginning and end of the lab.
Materials and equipment
3 different samples of aluminum: regularly shaped block or cylinder, aluminum pellets, and an irregularly shaped piece of aluminum, 25-mL graduated cylinder, Ruler
Shared: 3 electronic balances, 4 plastic 100 mol graduated cylinders, 4 400 mL beakers
Procedure
Regular Shape
The piece of aluminum was placed on the balance and the mass in grams was recorded. Next, measurements were taken with a ruler to determine the volume in cm3.
Aluminum Shots
The 25 mL graduated cylinder was filled about halfway with water and the volume was recorded. The mass of the cylinder and water was then determined. The aluminum shots