Name:

Experiment No. 1
Density of Solids and Liquids (Pycnometer, Law of Archimedes)

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to show the process on how to determine the density of liquids and
solids.

2. Intended Learning Outcome (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:
2.1 determine the density of a liquid using a pycnometer and a Mohr-Westphal
balance.
2.2 recognize the effect of concentration of liquids on density.
2.3 determine the density of a solid with a pycnometer.

3. Discussion:

Density determination consists of finding the weight of liquid occupying a known

volume of container. A pycnometer is a glass container that maybe filled precisely to a predetermined volume. The volume of the pycnometer can be obtained by finding its mass when
filled with liquid of known density. Solid densities on the other hand, are determined
pycnometrically from the volume of reference liquid displaced by the submerged solid.
A convenient method for determining densities or specific gravities is one which uses
the principle of Archimedes, namely, that when a body is immersed in a fluid there is exerted
on the body a vertical upward force equal to the weight of fluid displaced.
Less accurate methods to determine density include the use of hydrometers which are
floats calibrated to indicate the density of a liquid by the extent to which they submerge and
westphal balance which measures the buoyant exerted on the object immersed in the liquid.

Figure 1.1 A westphal balance

Where: 1 Foot with adjustment screws

2 Metal frame with adjustable height
3 Balance beam with notches
4 Plummet (glass cylinder with thin Platinum wire)
4. Materials:

Pycnometer

Bunsen burner

Table salt

Benzene

Analytical Balance
tetrachloride

Thermometer

Distilled water

Carbon

2 Beaker (300 mL)

Aspirator

Ethyl alcohol

Lead shots

Tripod

Pipette

5. Procedure:

Part I. Density determination using pycnometer

A. Pycnometer determination of Liquid density

1. Boil some distilled water.
2. Weigh accurately on an analytical balance a clean and dry pycnometer.
3. Fill the pycnometer with gas free distilled water. To remove trapped air bubbles at
the exit capillary, tilt the pycnometer so that the bubbles is at the entrance of the
pycnometer then aspirate more liquid into the pycnometer. Level of liquid must be
consistent in all determination.
4. Measure the temperature of water with thermometer (temperature must remain
constant during filling and weighing). Wipe the outside of the pycnometer, dry and
weigh again.
5. Repeat procedure 2 to 4 with ethyl alcohol, salt solution and unknown liquid
(supplied by instructor).

B. Pycnometer determination of Solid density

6. Weigh accurately a clean and dry pycnometer.

7. Fill the pycnometer with distilled water and weigh again.
8. Remove the water, dry the pycnometer and place two grams of solid compound
supplied by your instructor. Weigh the pycnometer with solid compound.
9. Fill the pycnometer (with solid compound) with distilled water and weigh again.
Note: to remove any air bubbles trapped around the solid, add enough water to
cover the solid and then aspirate the air bubbles.

Part II. Density determination using Westphal Balance

1. Place the leveling screw on the base of the instrument so that it is in the position
under the arm of the balance. Clean and dry the glass plummet and hang it by the
fine wire from the hook at the end of the arm of the balance.
2. By means of the leveling screw adjust the arm of the balance so that it is horizontal
that is, so that the two pointers are in line. Clean the gas hydrometer jar and
partially fill it with distilled water. Immerse the glass plummet in the water and adjust
the height of the instrument so that a single strand of the fine wire cuts the surface
of the water. See that no bubbles adhere to the glass plummet.
3. For liquid water, the unit weight hung at the end of the arm restores the balance. If
the glass plummet is placed in other liquids, the weights required to restore the
balance directly measure the specific gravity of the liquids. For high accuracy in
measuring the specific gravity or relative densities of liquids it is necessary to have

the liquids at the same temperature. This is true not only because the density of
liquids changes with temperature but also because the glass plummet changes in
volume. If the temperature is within a few degrees, the error introduced is not large.
4. Suppose that a balance is obtained when the glass plummet is immersed in water
at 20 C with heights of 1.0 and 0.1 at notch 9, the 0.01 weight at notch 8 and the
0.001 weight at notch 5, and when immersed in another liquid at the same
temperature a balance is obtained with weight 1.0 at notch 8, weights 0.1 and 0.01
at notch 6, and weight 0.001 at notch 4.
5. Find the density of the various liquids provided, being careful to see that the glass
plummet and the hydrometer jar are carefully cleaned each time before a new liquid
is used. Read and record the temperature of the thermometer in the glass plummet
each time.

Calculations:

Part I. Density determination

mass of water
density of water

Volume of pycnometer =

(1.1)

mass of liquid
volume of pycnometer

Density of liquid or salt solution =

(1.2)

Note: If using platform balance weight in all determination must be corrected to vacuum.
Correction to vacuum maybe calculated from the equation:

Wv = Wf + 0.0012Wf

1
1

)
Dm 8 . 4

Where:
Wv = weight of substance corrected to vacuum

(1.3)

Wf = weight of substance in air

Dm = density of substance
8.4 = density of weights (brass)

In correcting the weight to vacuum of a substance whose density has not yet been
calculated, use the approximation:

Dm =

Wf
v

(1.4)

Where: V = volume of the substance

Part II. Density determination using Westphal Balance

The principle of the westphal balance is based on the known buoyancy of a reference
glass body. The density of the test liquid is calculated according to

m
m water +

(1+

m
)
m air (1.5)

Where m and m are the masses of the glass cylinder immersed in water and in the
test liquid, respectively.
The beam of the balance is balanced with the plummet (glass cylinder hanging on a
thin platinum wire attached to a hook on the beam) in air using the adjustable screws on the
foot. When adjusted, the index pointer on the end of the beam lines up with the point on the
frame. The plummet is then completely immersed in the unknown liquid, and the system is
rebalanced, using a series of riders on the nine equally spaced notches on the beam, thus
specifying the value of the added mass for each decimal place. This gives the buoyant force

of the liquid relative to water, and hence the density, which may be obtained to three decimal
places.

Course:
Experiment No.:
Group No.:
Section:
Group Members:
Date Performed:

Date Submitted:

Instructor:

6. Data and Results:

Water

Ethyl
Alcohol
Weight of Pycnometer with 15.6570
air
Weight of Pycnometer with 39.8925
liquid
Weight of liquid
24.2355
Volume of Liquid
Temperature of liquid
Weight of liquid in vacuum

25
39
24.2620

Density of liquid
True density of liquid (from
handbook)
Percent error

0.9694
1
3.06

Salt
Pure liquid
Unit
Solution
unknown
26.292 26.2929
15.6570
g
9
49.435 58.6310
35.0853
g
3
23.142 32.3381
19.4283
g
4
25
25
25
ml
29
32
28
C
23.175 32.3635
19.4555
g
7
0.9257
1.2935
0.7771
g/ml
0.7891
2.16
0.876
g/ml
17.31

40.12

11.29

Part I. Density determination using pycnometer

A. Pycnometric determination using pycnometer

B. Pycnometric determination of solid density

Weight of empty Pycnometer

Weight of Pycnometer with liquid
Weight of Pycnometer with solid
Weight of Pycnometer with liquid and solid
Weight of liquid
Weight of solid
Weight of displacement liquid
Volume of displacement liquid
Density of solid
True density of solid (from handbook)
Percent error

24.489
7
53.536
7
26.515
0
55.562
0
29.047
0
2.0253
0.30
0.30
6.7510
7.86
14.11

Unit
g
g
g
g
g
g
g
ml
g/ml
g/ml
%

Part II. Density determination using Westphal Balance

Type of liquid
Water
Salt Solution
Tap Water

Temperature
26.5C
27C
27C

Density
0.998 g/ml
1.14 g/ml
1.13 g/ml

7. Computation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data:

Formulae:

Weight of Liquid

Weight of Liquid in Vacuum

Wt liquid =Wt pycnometer+liquid Wt pycnometer

Wt liquidvacuum =Wt+ ( 0.0012 )( Wt )

wt solid
v displaced liquid

Density of Liquid (in westphal balance)

mliquid
v liquid

Density of Solid

liquid

1
(
) 8.4 ))

Density of Liquid

((

m
m
water +(1+
)
m
m air

Percent Error

Actual ValueExperimental Value

error =

100
Actual Value

Part I.
A. Pycnometric Determination of Liquid Density

Weight of Liquid:
Water: 39.8925 15.6570 = 24.2355 g
Ethyl Alcohol: 49.4353 26.2929 = 23.1424 g
Salt Solution: 58.6310 26.2929 = 32.3381 g
Unknown Liquid: 35.0853 15.6570 = 19.4283 g

Density of Liquid
Water

Ethyl Alcohol

32.3381 g
=1.2935 g /ml
25 ml

Unknown Liquid

23.1424 g
=0.9257 g /ml
25 ml

Salt Solution

24.2355 g
=0.9694 g/ml
25 ml

19.4283 g
=0.771 g /ml
25 ml

Weight of Liquid in Vacuum

Water

Wt liquidvacuum =24.2355+ ( 0.0012 )( 24.2355 )

((

1
1

0.9694
8.4

) ( ))

24.2620 g

Ethyl Alcohol

Wt liquidvacuum =23.1424+ ( 0.0012 ) ( 23.1424 )

23.1691 g

Salt Solution

1
(( 0.9257
)( 8.41 ))

Wt liquidvacuum =32.3381+ ( 0.0012 )( 32.3381 )

1
(( 1.2935
)( 8.41 ))

32.3635 g

Unknown Liquid

Wt liquidvacuum =19.4283+ ( 0.0012 )( 19.4283 )

19.4555 g

Percent Error
Water

10.9694 100 =3.06

1
error =

Ethyl Alcohol

0.78910.9257

100 =17.31
0.7891

error =

Salt Solution

Unknown Liquid

2.161.2935 100 =40.12

2.16
error =
0.8760.7771

100 =11.29
0.876

error =

B. Pycnometric Determination of Solid Density

Weight of Liquid

Wt liquid =Wt pycnometer+liquid Wt pycnometer

53.536724.4897
29.047 0 g

Weight of Displaced Liquid

Density of Object Submerged

Wt displaced liquid =V displaced liquid =0.30

((

) ( ))

1
1

0.7771
8.4

object submerged=

mobject submerged
v displaced liquid

2.0253 g
0.30 ml

6.7510 g /ml

Percent Error

7.866.7510 100 =14.11

7.86
error =

Part II.

Water

9.5
9.5
(1)+ 1+
(1.26 x 103 )=0.998 g /ml
9.54
9.54

Salt Solution

9.5
9.5
(1)+ 1+
(1.26 x 103)=1.14 g /ml
8.35
8.35

Tap Water

9.5
9.5
(1)+ 1+
(1.26 x 103)=1.13 g/m l
8.43
8.43

8. Conclusion and Recommendation:

9. Questions:

1. Illustrate and discuss the following:

a. Aerometer
b. Dasymeter
c. Gas Collecting Tube
d. Hydrometer
e. Westphal Balance
f. Resonant Frequency and Damping Analyser (RFDA)
2. Differentiate and compare specific gravity, relative gravity, specific volume, API gravity,
Baum scale, Brix scale, Twaddelle scale, Plato scale, Oechsle scale with density
measurement
3. When a 4.9827g object with a density of 8.8937g/ cm3 is dropped into a liquid with a
density of 0.7289 g/ cm3 , what mass of liquid will it displace?
4. One kilogram of iron and one kilogram of brass are suspended from separate balance
scales, each metal submerged fully in water. How do the scale readings compare?
Express your answer as a function of the densities of the two materials.
5. Two overflow cans are filled with different liquids. A wooden block will float in either
liquid. Compare the volumes which overflow when a block is floated in each of the
overflow cans. Relate this to the densities of the liquids. Also compare the overflow
weights.
6. You used a sinker to submerge a piece of cork beneath the water to determine the
corks density. Why was it unnecessary to know the density of the sinker?
7. Use Archimedes principle to prove the following: When a body is floating on a liquid, it
displaces a weight of liquid equal to its own weight.
8. In the construction of a hydrometer is it necessary that the stem have a uniform cross
section?
9. Briefly state the theory underlying the use of a hydrometer for a measurement of
specific gravities.
10. Further readings:

Atkins, P. (2010). Chemical principles: the quest for insight (5th ed.). New York:
W,H, Freeman and Company.
Engel, T., Reid, P. and Hehre, W. (2013). Physical chemistry. Illinois: Pearson Education.
Garland, C. (2009). Experiments in physical chemistry (8th ed.). Boston: McGraw
Hill Co.

Gopala Krishna, V. (2010). Invitation to physical chemistry [computer] computer dataset.

(London:
Imperial College Press.
Jomo Walla, P. (2009). Modern biophysical chemistry. Weinhein: Wiley-VCH.
Roque-Malherbe, R. (2010). The physical chemistry of materials: energy and
environmental applications. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Shillady, D. (2012). Essentials of physical chemistry. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Trimm, H.(ed.). (2011). Physical chemistry: chemical kinetics and reaction mechanism.
Canada: Apple
Academic Pres.

11. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

TIPVPAA054D

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

RUBRIC FOR LABORATORY PERFORMANCE
CRITERIA

BEGINNER

ACCEPTABLE

PROFICIENT

Manipulative Skills

Members
do
not
demonstrate needed
skills.

Experimental Set-up

Members are unable

to
set-up
the
materials.
Member
o
not
demonstrate targeted
process skills.
Members do not follow
safety precautions.

Process Skills

Safety Precautions

SCORE

Members
Members
always
occasionally
demonstrate needed
demonstrate needed skills
skills
Members are able to Members are able to setset-up the materials up the material with
with supervision.
minimum supervision.
Members occasionally Members
always
demonstrate targeted demonstrates
targeted
process skills.
process skills.
Members follow safety Members follow safety
precautions most of precautions at all times.
the time.

I. Laboratory Skills
II. Work Habits
Time Management /

Members do not finish

Members finish ahead

Members finish ahead of

Conduct
Experiment
Cooperative
Teamwork

Neatness
Orderliness

of
and

and

Ability
to
do
independent work

on
time
with
incomplete data.
Members do not know
their tasks and have
no
defined
responsibilities. Group
conflicts have to be
settled by the teacher.
Messy
workplace
during and after the
experiment.

Members
supervision
teacher.

require
by
the

on
time
with
incomplete data.
Members have defined
responsibilities
most
of the time. Group
conflicts
are
cooperatively
managed most of the
time.
Clean
and
orderly
workplace
with
occasional
mess
during and after the
experiment.
Members
require
occasional supervision
by the teacher.

time with complete data

and time to revise data.
Members are on tasks
and
have
defined
responsibilities
at
all
times. Group conflicts are
cooperatively managed at
all times.
Clean
and
orderly
workplace at all times
during and after the
experiment.
Members do not need to
be supervised by the
teacher.

Evaluated by:

Printed Name and Signature of Faculty Member

Date: