International Baccalaureate Physics 4/PSOW

Finding the Density of Ethanol

Aim: IB Criteria Assessed
Data Collection and Processing
Calculating density is relatively easy, but to do so while correctly Conclusion and Evaluation
taking into account the limitations of your instruments is tougher. Criteria Aspect Level
It is also good practice to use a graphical means of finding values assessed 1 2 3 awarded
such as density. To do this, you are going to take several D
measurements of ethanol using:
DCP
1. A small graduated cylinder (analogue scale) CE
2. An electronic balance (digital scale)

This data will be recorded (with correct uncertainty) and processed into a graph, which will then be
used to find the density of ethanol. This density will be compared to known literature values.

Apparatus:
10 mL graduated cylinder
Electronic balance
Ethanol

Method:
1. Find the mass of the empty cylinder.
2. Add a small amount of ethanol and measure the mass and volume.
3. Continue adding more ethanol and recording the mass and volume until you have neared the top of
the cylinder’s scale. Make sure you have a sufficient amount of data points.
4. Record all measurements in a suitable table. Be sure to show ± uncertainty at the top of each
column.
5. Make an appropriate graph and find density (w/ uncertainty) from the graph.

Theory: mass
density =
volume

Density = ***** g cm-3 ± ** g cm-3

Density = ***** g cm-3 ± ** %

Citation Mike Dickenson for this lab.

.
The above information was given to the student by the instructor. What follows
immediately below is the student’s own work

© 2007 - Mike Dickinson 3165891.doc

International Baccalaureate Physics
Internal Assessment Marking Form
Criteria Aspect 1
Defining the Problem and
selecting variables:
Formulates a focused
problem/research question
c=2
and identifies the relevant
variables.
Design (D)
Formulates a
problem/research question
p=1 that is incomplete or
identifies only some
relevant variables.
Does not identify a
problem/research question
n=0
and does not identify any
relevant variables.
Recording raw data
Data Collection and Processing (DCP)
Records appropriate
quantitative and associated
qualitative raw data,
c=2
including units and
uncertainties where
relevant.
Records appropriate
quantitative and associated
p=1 qualitative raw data, but
with some mistakes or
omissions.
Does not record any
appropriate quantitative
n=0 raw data or raw data is
incomprehensible.
Concluding
Conclusion and Evaluation (CE)
States a conclusion, with
justification, based on a
c=2
reasonable interpretation of
the data.
States a conclusion based
on a reasonable
p=1
interpretation of the data.
States no conclusion or the
conclusion is based on an
n=0
unreasonable interpretation
of the data.
© 2007 - Mike Dickinson
Aspect 2
Controlling the Variables:
Designs a method for the
effective control of the
variables.
Designs a method that
makes some attempt to
control the variables.
Designs a method that does
not control the variables.
Processing raw data
Processes the quantitative
raw data correctly.
Processes quantitative raw
data, but with some
mistakes and/or omissions.
No processing of
quantitative raw data is
carried out or major
mistakes are made in
processing.
Evaluating procedure(s)
Evaluates weaknesses and
limitations.
Identifies some weaknesses
and limitations, but the
evaluation is weak or
missing.
Identifies irrelevant
weaknesses and limitations.
4/PSOW
Aspect 3 Grade
Developing a method for
collecting data:
Develops a method that
allows for the collection of
sufficient relevant data.
Develops a method that
allows for the collection of
insufficient relevant data.
Develops a method that
does not allow for any
relevant data to be
collected.
Presenting processed data
Presents processed data
appropriately and, where
relevant, includes errors
and uncertainties.
Presents processed data
appropriately, but with
some mistakes and/or
omissions.
Presents processed data
inappropriately or
incomprehensibly.
Improving the
investigation
Suggests realistic
improvements in respect of
identified weaknesses and
limitations.
Suggests only superficial
improvements.
Suggests unrealistic
improvements.
3165891.doc