Chapter 2

DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in order to determine the density of certain liquids by
using a pycnometer. To be able to gather the necessary data, the researchers utilized the
experimental method.
The researchers accomplished the experiment by following the step-by-step
procedure given to them by their instructor. To start the experiment, the researchers first
cleaned the pycnometer with hydrochloric acid followed by distilled water and then dried
completely with the aid of a hair dryer.

Figure 2.1 Drying of Pycnometer after Acid Washing

After cleaning the pycnometer, it was weighed accurately using an analytical
balance. This measurement was then recorded as the weight of the empty pycnometer. Then,
the pycnometer was completely filled with the liquid (distilled water) and recapped with its
capillary top (cover). Before weighing the pycnometer again, the researchers made sure that
there was no air remaining in the pycnometer and that the sides of the pycnometer are
perfectly dried for these could be sources of error. After this, the pycnometer containing the

liquid was weighed. This measurement was used to determine the weight of the liquid and is
given by
Wliquid = Wpycnometer + liquid - Wpycnometer
where Wpycnometer is the weight of the empty pycnometer and W pycnometer

(2.1)
+ liquid

is that of the

pycnometer plus the liquid sample.

Figure 2.2 Weighing of Pycnometer with Liquid (Distilled Water)

Then, the temperature of the distilled water was taken using the thermometer. By
interpolation, the density of the distilled water at a specific temperature is given by
THV - TLV = HV - LV
THV - TAV

(2.2)

HV - AV

where THV is the temperature that has higher value than the actual temperature (T AV)
measured and TLV is that of lower value; while HV, LV, and AV are the corresponding density
values for each temperature. And finally, the volume of the distilled water which is the same
as the volume of the pycnometer was determined by using the equation
V=
(2.3)

m H 2O
H 2O

where mH2O is the experimentally determined weight of water and H2O is the actual density of
water computed according to the measured temperature.
Three trials were carried out using different distilled water samples. Then, liquid
sample was changed from distilled water to chloroform and lastly to methanol. In each case,
three trials were also carried out for both samples. The same procedure was used for both
chloroform and methanol with the exemption of getting the temperature of water.

(a)

(b)

Figure 2.3 (a) Chloroform; (b) Methanol

For both samples, the temperature reading was not necessary. And instead of using
Eq. (2.2) to determine the density of both liquids, their density is given by
L =

m LH 2O
m H 2O

(2.4)

The data gathered in the experiment were then processed and organized in the data
sheet given. The computed values of density for each sample were then compared to the
standard values for data interpretation. Relevant literatures were also used to support the
gathered findings.