Determination of Densities

Arvin J. De Castro

De La Salle University-Dasmarias
Dasmarias, Cavite Philippines


ABSTRACT
Determination of Densities is used to characterize substances. Density is commonly expressed in g/ml for
liquids, g/cm for solids, and g/L for gases. The mass of a liquid or a solid may be taken directly from a
balance. Similarly, the volume of a liquid sample may be read form a graduated cylinder. The volumes of
regular solids like a cube, rectangle, and sphere can be calculated using a formula V=s
3
, V=lwh, and
V=4/3 r
3
, respectively. s refers to the length of one of the sides of the cube; l, w, and h refer to the length,
width and height of the rectangle; and r refers to the radius of the sphere. In getting the densities of water,
get the weight of a dry, empty 100 mL graduated cylinder. Add 50 mL distilled water and determine again
the mass if the cylinder with water. Calculate the % error given the known density of water. In getting the
density of a liquid other than water. Isopropyl Alcohol. Get the weight of a dry, empty 10 mL graduated
cylinder. Add 5.0 mL of isopropyl alcohol and determine again the mass of the cylinder with the alcohol.
Calculate the % error given the known density. Repeat the same procedure for the following liquids:
coconut oil and unknown liquid sample.

INTRODUCTION
The process of determination of density is used to characterize substances. It is easy to
determine the density of a certain material. Just need the proper equipment to perform this experiment. In
determining the density of a liquid, use a graduated cylinder and a weighing scale. To determine the
densities of solids, the things needed to perform this experiment is a triple beam balance, the material to
be measured and a ruler. In getting the density of a solid, use a metric ruler to measure the length of its
side. In getting the density of Irregular-shaped solids, get the weight of an empty watch glass. Place the
irregular-shaped solid in a watch glass using triple beam balance. Subtract the weight of the empty watch
glass and the weight of watch glass with the irregular solid. Place the irregular solid in a 100 mL
graduated cylinder with 30 mL water.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A. Densities of Water
1. Density of Water
a. Get the weight of a dry, empty 100 mL graduated cylinder.
b. Add 50 mL distilled water and determine again the mass if the cylinder with water.
c. Calculate the % error given the known density of water.
2. Density of a liquid other than water.
Isopropyl Alcohol
a. Get the weight of a dry, empty 10 mL graduated cylinder.
b. Add 5.0 mL of isopropyl alcohol and determine again the mass of the cylinder with
the alcohol.
c. Calculate the % error given the known density. Repeat the same procedure for the
following liquids: coconut oil and unknown liquid sample.
B. Density of Solids
1. Density of Regularly-shaped solids
Cube
a. Using a metric ruler, measure the length of one of the sides of a cube to the nearest
tenth of a centimeter.
b. Weigh the cube to the nearest tenth of a gram.
Rectangular Solid
a. Using a metric ruler, measure the length, width, and thickness of a rectangularly-
shaped solid to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.
b. Weigh the rectangular solid to the nearest tenth of a gram.
Spherical Solid
a. Using a metric ruler, measure the diameter of the spherically-shaped to the nearest
tenth of a centimeter.
b. Weigh the spherical solid to the nearest tenth of a gram.
2. Density of Irregularly-shaped solids
a. Get the weight of a dry, empty watch glass
b. Place a pebble on the watch glass and get again the weight of the watch glass.
c. Fill a 100 mL graduated cylinder with 30 mL water which will serve as the initial
volume.
d. Immerse the pebble in water contained in the graduated cylinder.
e. Observe the rise in volume which will serve as the final volume.

% error= [known density experimental density] x 100
Know density


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
To determine the density of the given liquid samples, we measured its mass and volume. And
using the formula =m/V, we were able to calculated its density. The experimental results are
summarized in Table1.
Table 1
Liquid
Sample
Observation Experimental
Density of
the Liquid
Sample
Known
Density
of the
Liquid
Sample
at 30 C
Calculated
Percent
Error
Mass of
the Dry
and
Empty
Graduated
Cylinder
Mass of
the
Graduated
Cylinder
with
Liquid
Sample
Mass of
the
Liquid
Sample
Volume
of the
Liquid
Sample
Water (100ml)
94.7 g
143.4 g 48.7 g 50 ml 0.974 g/ml 1.00 g/ml 2.6%
Isopropyl
Alcohol
(10 ml)
25.1 g
29 g 3.9 g 5 ml 40.78 g/ml 0.78 g/ml 0%
Coconut
Oil
(10 ml)
25.1 g
29.7 g 4.6 g 5 ml 0.92 g/ml 0.90 g/ml 2.2%
Unknown
Liquid
Sample
(Kerosene
(10 ml)
25.1 g
29.2 g 4.1 g 5 ml 0.82 g/ml
Gas)

To determine the mass of the liquid sample, measure the mass of the dry and empty graduated
cylinder, then measure the mass of the graduated cylinder with the given liquid samples. Then calculated
the difference between the mass of the dry and empty graduated cylinder and the mass of the graduated
cylinder with the given liquid samples to determine the mass of the liquid sample.
After getting the experimental density of the liquid samples, calculate the percent error formula to
determine the difference between an approximate or known density of the liquid samples to the
experimental value.
By smelling the unknown sample, we were able to that it is a Kerosene Gas. Using the procedure
that we did on the first 3 liquid samples, we were able to determine its mass and volume as well as its
density.
.
In determining the density of regularly-shaped solid samples, measure its mass, length, width,
height, and diameter before calculating its volume and density.

Table 2.
Solid
Samples
Observation Calculated
Volume of
the Solid
Sample
Calculated
Density
Mass
of the
Solid
Sample
Length Width Height Diameter Radius
(diameter/
2)
Cube 36 g 4 cm - - - - (V=a
3
) 64
cm
3

0.56 g/cm
3

Rectangular
Solid
65.9 g 12.6 cm 6.7
cm
1.4 cm - - (V=lwh)
118.2 cm
3

0.56 g/cm
3

Spherical
Solid
5.4 g - - - 1.68 cm 0.84 cm (V=4/3r
3
)
2.48 cm
3

2.18 g/cm
3


In getting the volume of the regularly-shaped solid samples, use the formula given in the specific
solid figures. After getting its volume, calculate its density by using the formula =m/V.

In determining the density of irregularly-shaped solid sample, measure the mass of the solid sample,
the initial and final volume of the water in a graduated cylinder and calculate the volume of the solid
sample.

Table 3.

Solid
Sample
Observation Calculated
Volume of
the Solid
Sample
Density
of the
Solid
Sample
Mass of
Empty
Watch
Glass
Mass of
Watch
Glass
with the
Solid
Sample
Mass of
the Solid
Sample
Initial
Volume of
Water in
Graduated
Cylinder
Final
Volume of
Water in
Graduated
Cylinder
Pebble 28.7 g 32.5 g 3.8 g 30 ml 31 ml 1 ml 3.8 g/ml

To determine the mass of the pebble, calculate the difference between the measurement of the
mass of the watch glass and the measurement of the mass of the watch glass with the pebble. And to
determine the volume of the pebble, put the pebble inside the graduated cylinder with 30 ml water and the
volume of the graduated cylinder will rise.
REFERENCES
(1) T.L., H. Eugene le May Jr., and Bruce E. Bursten. Chemistry: The Central Science. 7
th
edition.
New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International, 1997
(2) Zayas, Clovia Isabel S. and Ramonesa R. Ricardo. Laboratory Manual for General Chemistry.
Manila: DLSU Press, 1994


























Prepared by:

Arvin J. De Castro, CTR11