Density Lab Manual

Determine density from mass and volume measurements for solids and liquids.

Objective

  • Determine the density of solid and liquid samples from measured mass and volume.
  • Practice using a balance, ruler, graduated cylinder, and displacement method appropriately.
  • Compare measured densities with accepted values and discuss uncertainty.

Introduction

Density describes how much mass is contained in a given volume. In this lab you will measure mass directly, determine volume by geometry or displacement, and then calculate density using consistent units.

Use Density = Mass / Volume. Keep units organized throughout the experiment so comparisons remain meaningful.

Materials

  • Triple beam balance
  • Graduated cylinder
  • Beaker
  • Ruler
  • Regular and irregular solid samples
  • Liquid samples such as water, ethanol, or glycerol

Procedure

Part 1: Regular solid

  1. Measure the mass of the object and record it in a data table.
  2. Measure the object's dimensions with a ruler.
  3. Calculate volume from the appropriate geometric formula.
  4. Compute density and record the result with units.

Part 2: Irregular solid

  1. Measure the object's mass.
  2. Record the initial liquid volume in a graduated cylinder.
  3. Submerge the object completely and record the final volume.
  4. Use displacement to find the object's volume and then calculate density.

Part 3: Liquid sample

  1. Measure the mass of an empty beaker.
  2. Add a known volume of liquid to the beaker.
  3. Measure the combined mass of beaker and liquid.
  4. Subtract to find the liquid's mass and calculate density.

Data analysis

  1. Calculate density for each sample using your measured values.
  2. Estimate uncertainty from the precision of the balance and volume measurements.
  3. Compare your values with accepted densities and comment on agreement.

Discussion and conclusion

  1. How do measurement methods change for regular solids, irregular solids, and liquids?
  2. Which sources of error most strongly affect the final density values?
  3. How could the procedure be improved to reduce uncertainty?

Summarize what your measurements show about the relationship among mass, volume, and material identity.