Experiment 1

Density
By

Monty N. J. Attzs
PHY 2091-07
Experiment Performer: 9th Jan 2014
Report Submitted: 16th Jan 2014

Lab Partners:

Abdulla
Alexander
Amina

Instructor:

Corinne Fletcher

Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to measure the density of a given ball and to assess whether
or not it would float in water. A Vernier caliper was used to measure the diameter and a triple
beam balance was used to measure the mass. Multiple measurements were taken and errors were
calculated, averages were found and a theoretical value of the density was calculated. It was
predicted if the ball would float or sink if placed in water, then the prediction was tested.

Data

No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Diameter
(x/mm)
24.50
24.20
25.60
24.30
25.50
25.40

Deviations 2
( ( x x ) 2/m
m2 )
0.72
1.32
0.06
1.10
0.02
0.00

Deviation

Mass (g)

Density (g/cm3)

Std. Dev.
Excel Formula
0.7

Std. Dev.
Given Formula
0.7

8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6

1.0082

Variance

Avg. Diam.(
x /mm)

Average
Mass (g)

Avg.
Volume(cm3)

9.31

25.35

8.6

8.53

7
8
9
10
11
12

25.40
24.50
26.50
26.60
26.10
25.90

0.00
0.72
1.32
1.56
0.56
0.30

13
14

24.60
24.70

0.56
0.42

Percent Error
Avg. Diam.
(%)
0.39

15
16
17
18

25.80
25.30
25.50
25.10

0.20
0.00
0.02
0.06

Prediction:
No, the ball will not float in water as its density is greater than that of

Percent Error
Mass (%)
1.16

Percent Error
Percent Error
Avg. Volume
Density (%)
(%)
1.18
2.35
Raw Error Density
(g/cm3)
0.0237

water.
19
20

25.70
25.80

0.12
0.20

Data Analysis

Diameter Scater Plot

30.00
29.00
28.00
27.00
26.00

Diameter(mm)

25.00
24.00
23.00
22.00
21.00
20.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

The Graph shows the scatter of all reading of the diameter of the ball for all 20
measurements.

Sample Calculations:
-Average Diameter:
[(x) /n] = 507.00/20 = 25.35 mm

-Deviation Squared using trial one:

(24.50 - 25.35)2 = 0.72 mm2

Standard Deviation of the 20 trials = 0.7 mm

The experimental value for the density:
Density = (Avg. Mass)/ Volume = 8.6 g / 8.53 cm3 = 1.0082 g/cm3

Discussion
Experimental Density:
1.0082 0.0237 g/cm3
OR
1.0082 2.35% g/cm3

Objects float in water when the mass of the volume of water displaced is greater than that of the
object (or part thereof) that displaces it. This implies that an object with a lower density than
water should float in it and one with a greater density should sink.
Based on the calculations made, it was predicted that the ball would float. However, when tested,
it floated. Checking this result against the error in the density, it can be seen that it is within the
error margin for the calculation to contradict the observation. I.e. the confidence margin gives a
density range of 0.98 g/cm3 (which is less than that of water) to 1.03 g/cm3 (which is greater than
that of water.

Overall the experiment can be considered a success with a relatively small error margin of
2.35%. Random errors in measurement of the diameter and weight of the ball may have
occurred; therefore multiple measurements were taken to reduce the impact of those errors.
Systematic intrinsic errors when measuring may have also been present as instruments may not
have been precisely calibrated.

Conclusion
The experimental density of the ball was found within a confidence margin of 2.35%. It was
predicted that the ball would not float in water, however, this was an unsuccessful prediction.
Though that was the case, the confidence margin was wide enough to allow the prediction to
contradict the observation.