UM

The University of Mindanao

College of Engineering Education

Experiment No. 2
Liquid Density II

Submitted to:
Engr. Jeralyn Gultiano, ChE
College of Engineering Education
University Of Mindanao
Davao City

Submitted by:
Branzuela, Amhie
Enojo, Hanah Diane
Habel, Lady Jane
Jumawan, Mary Jane
Waluhan, Jay Mark

Date Performed:
September 26, 2014
INTRODUCTION

A pycnometer is a glass container so designed that it may be filled to a

predetermined volume very precisely. This experiment is conducted to determine
accurately the density of liquids using the pycnometer.

PHYSICAL DATA
o

Water
Mass (Water + Pycnometer): 29.9628g
Mass (Pycnometer): 20.1774g
Mass (Water): 9.7854g
Temperature: 25

Density (25 ): 0.99705g/mL

Volume (Water in air): 10mL
Volume (Water in pycnometer):

V H O=
2

mH O
H O
2

V H O=
2

9.7854 g
g
0.99705
mL

V H O =9.814352339 mL
2

Unknown Liquid # 1
Color: Cloudy white
Odor: Vinegar-like
Mass (Unknown Liquid + Pycnometer): 30.0757g
Mass (Pycnometer): 20.1774g
Mass (Unknown Liquid): 9.8983g
Temperature: 25

Volume (Unknown Liquid in air): 10mL

Density (Unknown Liquid):

VH

2 O air

mH O
H O
2

Since,
V H O =V unknown liquid
2

air

Therefore,

air

V unknownliquid =
air

munknownliquid
unknown liquid

mH O m unknown liquid
=
H O unknownliquid
2

unknown liquid =

munknown liquid
H
mH O

unknown liquid =

9.8983 g
0.99705 g /mL
9.7854 g

unknown liquid =1.008553561 g /mL

unknown liquid Acetic Acid (25 )

1.049 g /mL

Error=

Acetic Acid unknownliquid

100
Acetic Acid

Error=

1.0491.008553561
100
1.049

Error=3.855733451

PROCEDURE OUTLINE

Boil some distilled water. Clean the pycnometer with chromic acid, rinse
four to five times with water, and dry by heating it and drawing air through

it.
When the pycnometer is clean, dry, and has come to room temperature,

weigh it carefully on the analytical balance.

Next, fill the pycnometer with gas-free distilled water, and, if it is feasible,
suspend it in a thermostat for at least 15 minutes. Otherwise, measure the

temperature of water with a thermometer and assume that it does not

change during filling and weighing.

Wipe the outside of the pycnometer dry and weigh again.
Dry and repeat with a pure liquid unknown and with a salt solution
unknown supplied by the instructor. The temperature of the unknowns are
to be kept at 25C.

DATA AND OBSERVATIONS

During the experiment, observations are recorded in such a way that all
reactions that the substances undergo may be presented to explain the results.
Upon cleaning the pycnometer with boiling water, we found out that it is
not easy to dry it due to its distinctive shape. What makes this experiment time
consuming is ensuring that the pycnometer is completely dry and free of any
foreign substance. So, setting the pycnometer in the hot plate makes it dry
quickly.
In measuring the temperature of pycnometer if it comes to room
temperature (25C), we use a traditional thermometer. We found out that this
measuring device is not good for reading temperature accurately for solids like
glass. So intuitively, we use our bare hands and some sheets of tissue paper to
cool it and assume that it comes to room temperature.
After weighing the pycnometer using the analytical balance, we fill it with
water and later with an unknown liquid. But discharging its contents to
guarantee a dry pycnometer is so time consuming. As a consequence, we
desperately fill the pycnometer with an unknown liquid even though there are
still few presence of water in there.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

From the data that have been gathered through experimentation, an

analysis was made to further summarize the information and assess whether the
anticipated outcome is coped out.
Density determination using pycnometer is accurate if the given
conditions are followed.

3.855733451

Error exists due to the following reasons:

First, the pycnometer used is not thoroughly cleaned with the desired acid
and thermostat due its availability issues. Hence, we cannot completely say that
the pycnometer is free from foreign substances.
Second, filling the pycnometerafter being used by another liquid without
ensuring that it is completely dryis a big thing. It is obviously a mistake doing
this since the unknown liquid is being mixed with water making it not 100% pure.
Third, the unknown liquid is assumed constantly at room temperature
throughout the experiment. This assumption is absolutely false since the room
where the analytical balance is located is fully air-conditioned. It is known that
density varies at different temperatures.
Nevertheless,

3.855733451

Error is almost negligible and we can say

that the experiment is quite successful. This experiment proved that we can
determine accurately the density of liquids using the pycnometer.