Density Determination

Lab Report No.3

Seneca College
Professor: Ida Ensafi
Class: MTR241

Due Date: Thursday, June 12, 2015

Lab Report done by: Samantha Quezada

Density Determination

Introduction and Purpose

There are different ways in calculating the density of an object such as taking measurements in
the air and submerged, using the Archimedes principle(buoyant method.) The purpose of this lab
is to explore these two methods and compare the results of both of them so that the effectiveness
or accuracy of these exercises can be understood.

Apparatus
Materials
Materials include:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Weigh scale(g)
Ruler
Submersive basket
Camera

Safety equipment used include:

1) Safety glasses
2) Safety boots

Procedure
1) Firstly, a picture of each sample (from 1-8) was taken for identification purposes.
2) After, each sample was placed on a scale where the mass was and measured in
grams
3) Using a ruler, the dimension of each sample was measured in centimeters( such as
width, height, and diameter)
4) The measurements were then used to calculate the volume and density of each
sample.

5) Using a submersive basket under the appropriate scale, the mass of each sample in
water was recorded.
6) Using the Archimedes principle (the buoyant method,) the mass in air was
subtracted with the mass in the water to find the actual volume.
7) With the actual volume of each sample, the actual density could be found.
8) Finally, the results were then recorded in the observation table

Sample Description
Sample No

Shape

Color

Material

Conical frustum

Black

Rubber

Rectangular slab

Dark grey

Steel

Rectangular slab

Grey

Asphalt concrete

Irregular prism

Mix colors-brown
and yellow

Marble

Conical frustum

Golden

Brass

Rectangular prism

Mix colors: grey,

white, brown, and
black,

Marble

Cylinder

Mix: red, black,

grey, and brown

Rock

Cylinder

Mix: grey, and

black

Concrete

Data and Calculations

Calculations and data for each method can be found at the very end of this report.

Volume and Density Calculations from Measurements in the Air

Data Sheet 1

The calculations below show how the volume and density of each sample were calculated using
measurement done in air.

Sample 1:Conical Frustum

Sample 2: Rectangular Slab

Formula: h/3( A1 + A2 A1 X A2)

Formula: l x w x h

Calculation:

10.2 x 5 x 1.2= 61.2 cm3

2.3/3 (24.6 + 47.8 + 24.6 X47.8)

Volume of Sample: 61.2 cm3

Volume of Sample= 82.96 cm3

Density: 509.5g/61.2 cm^3=8.32g/cm^3

Density: m/v=105.7g/82.96cm= 1.27

g/cm^3
Density of Sample =1.27 g/cm3

Density of Sample= 8.32 g/cm3

Sample 3: Rectangular Slab

Sample 4: Irregular Prism

Formula: L x w x h

Formula: b x h /2 x w + b x h x l

6 x 5 x 10= 300 cm3

Rectangle prism: 7.4 x 11.3 x

1.8=150.516cm3

Volume of Sample= 300 cm3

Density: m/v

Triangular prism: (10.7-7.4=3.7) X

11.3/2 x 1.8 =37.629 cm3

744g/300cm ^3=2.48 g/cm3

150.516 cm3+ 37.629cm3=188.145 cm3

Density= 2.48 g/cm3

Volume= 188.145 cm3

Density: 567.7g/ 188.145cm3=
3.02g/cm3
Density of sample = 3.02g/cm

Sample 5:Conical frustum

Sample 6: (section of a cylinder)

Formula: h/3( A1 + A2 A1 X A2)

Formula : cylinder= r2x h /2

Calculation:

Calculation :

5.1/3 ( 1.33 + 3.8 1.3 X 3.8)

Pie

5.1/3 (5.13 +2.22)

Volume of Sample= 12.5 cm3
Density: 115.7g/ 12.5 cm^3
Density of Sample=9.26 g/cm3

Sample 7:Cylinder

Sample 8 :Cylinder

Formula : r2X h

Formula : r2X h

V=pie(3.15)2 x 8= 249.37

(3)2 x 12.5= 353.42

Volume of sample =249.37 cm3

Volume of sample= 353.42 cm3

Density : 681.2g/226.2cm^3
Density of sample=3.01cm

Density : 1000.8g/ 377.4 cm^3

Density of sample= 2.65 g/cm3

Conclusion
In conclusion, calculating density with the buoyant method is easie rand more effective
than calculating volume and density in the air. Calculating the true density and volume of
irregular shapes would be difficult with a ruler as you wont be getting an accurate
reading of it.

9)

Volume and Density Calculations from Using the Buoyant Method

Data Sheet 2
The calculations below show how the volume and density of each sample were calculated using
buoyant method.

SAMPLE 1

SAMPLE 2

Actual Values
Correct volume(buoyant method m-ma)
Correct Volume= 105.1-23.1=82 cm3

Actual Values

Correct Volume= 509.6-444.0=65.5 cm3

Correct Density= 105.7g/82g/cm^3=1.29

g/cm3

Correct Density= 509.5g/65.5=7.78 g/cm3

SAMPLE 3

SAMPLE 4

Actual Values

Actual Values

Correct Volume = 744.0-427.5=316.5 cm3

Correct Density: 744.0/316.5 =2.35 g/cm3

Correct Volume = 567.7- 351.8=215.9 cm3

Correct Density= 567.7/215.9= 2.63 g/cm3

SAMPLE 5

SAMPLE 6

Actual Values

Actual Values

Correct Volume= 115.7- 101.8= 13.9 cm3

Correct Density= 115.7/13.9=8.3 g/cm

Correct Volume= 238.6-146.6=92 cm3

Correct Density= 238.6/92=2.59 g/cm3

SAMPLE 7

SAMPLE 8

Actual Values

Actual Values

Correct Volume=681.2- 426.0= 255.2 cm3

Correct Volume = 1000.8- 604.3=396.5 cm3

Correct Density= 681.2/255.2= 2.67 g/cm3

Correct Density= 1000.8/396.5=2.52 g/cm3