Technological Institute of the Philippines

983 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City

College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

CE405 – Fluid Mechanics

Experiment # 4
Determination of the Density of a Fluid

Submitted by:
Malvecino, Juztine (Leader)
Espino, Pamela Shara
Victorio, Ace Louise
Franco, Rebi Jennise
Torcatos, Mark Lester
Macatangay, Jesuzette
Group 3 – CE41FB6

Submitted to:
Engr. Sarsonas

Date of Submission:
August 17, 2015
 Experiment 4
Determination of the Density of a Fluid

Objective:

The activity aims to determine the density of a fluid.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

At the end of the activity the students shall be able to:

1. Demonstrate ability to measure, collect and record data accurately.
2. Demonstrate ability to use data in a formula to solve for density.
3. Identify the density of water and compare with common liquids.
4. Identify if there is a relationship between the volume and mass of the volume in solving for
density.

Discussion:

Density is a physical property of matter, as each element and compound has a unique density
associated with it. Density defined in a qualitative manner as the measure of the relative "heaviness" of
objects with a constant volume.
Density is the mass of the fluid contained in a unit volume. The specific weight and density of a
fluid both decrease with an increase in temperature, which causes the molecular activity and spacing to
likewise increase. On the other hand, with the application of additional pressure which tends to increase the
amount of molecules in the fluid, it is possible to increase the specific weight and density of the fluid.
More commonly, the specific weight of a gas is computed through the combination of the Boyle
and Charle’s Laws, which gives
𝑃𝑔
𝛾 = 𝜌𝑔 =
𝑅𝑇

Where:
Y = Specific Gravity
P = Density in kg/m3
G = acceleration due to gravity in m/s2
P = absolute pressure in Pa
R = gas constant in N-n/kg-0K
T = temperature in 0K

Resources/Instruments Required:
 Graduated Cylinder
 Hydrometer Cylinder
 Scale or Triple Beam Balance
 Liquids whose properties are to be measured
 Block of wood
Procedure:

Method 1
1. Weigh an empty graduated cylinder or beaker.
2. Weigh a known volume of a liquid using a graduated cylinder or beaker.
3. Identify the density of the liquid from the difference in weight divided by the volume.

Method 2
1. Weigh a block of wood in air.
2. Weigh a block of wood in liquid
3. Identify the buoyant force acting on the object from the difference of its weight.
4. Identify the density of the liquid from the difference in volume of the liquid displaced
which is equivalent to the weight per unit volume.

Laboratory Report:

Group No.: Section: CE41FB6

Date Performed: Aug. 10, 2015 Date Submitted: Aug. 17, 2015
Name of Members: Malvecino, Juztine M.
Torcatos, Mark Lester
Franco, Rebi Jennise
Espino, Pamela Shara

1. Data and Results:

Method 1

Data needs to be gathered Water (g) Oil (g)

96.5 96.5
Mass of the graduated cylinder
135.25 133.7
Mass of the graduated cylinder
and liquid
38.75 37.2
Mass of the liquid
40 40
Volume of liquid

Density = 968.75 Density = 930

Method 2

Data needs to be gathered Water (g) Oil (g)

96.5 96.5
Mass of the graduated
cylinder
135.25 133.7
Mass of the graduated
cylinder and liquid
38.75 37.2
Mass of liquid

Data needs to be gathered Water (g) Oil (g)

4.6 4.6
Mass of the wood in air
139.8 137.5
Mass of the graduated
cylinder + liquid + wood
4.55 3.6
Mass of the wood in liquid
40 40
Volume of liquid
6 8
Total volume of the wood
6 8
Volume of the wood
submerged
5 6.1
Volume of the liquid
(displaced)

Density = 941.30 Density = 941.66

 2. Observation:

We observed in this experiment that using method 1 and method 2, we will get different densities
on water and oil with the difference of no more than 28kg/m^3. Using method 1 and method 2 gave
more difference densities on water rather than on oil. Since the mass of the wood on oil is lighter than
the mass of the wood on water.

3. Analysis:

We analyzed that the mass in oil is smaller compared to water and the volume of the wood
doesn't change when submerge to oil or water. Also that, the mass of the wood decreases slightly
when it is in liquid and decreases more when it is in oil.

4. Source/s of Error/s

The sources of error would be the estimated gathering of data on graduated cylinder and
beam balance. Since we can’t get the exact value of data with just using our eyes.

5. Conclusion:

I therefore conclude that using method 1 and method 2 in this experiment gave us more likely the
average or closest value of density of a fluid. I also conclude that since the wood is lighter on oil than water,
it shows that mass is directly proportional to density and inversely proportional to volume just as the
formula for density shows.
Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

CRITERIA BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT

Score
1 2 3

I. Laboratory Skills
Members always
Manipulative Members do not Members occasionally
demonstrate needed
Skills demonstrate needed skills. demonstrate needed skills.
skills.
Members are able to set-up Members are able to set-
Experimental Members are unable to
the materials with up the material with
Set-up set-up the materials.
supervision. minimum supervision.
Members do not Members occasionally Members always
Process
demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
Skills
process skills. process skills. process skills.
Members follow safety
Safety Members do not follow Members follow safety
precautions most of the
Precautions safety precautions. precautions at all times.
time.
II. Work Habits
Time
Members finish ahead of
Management Members do not finish on Members finish on time with
time with complete data
/ Conduct of time with incomplete data. incomplete data.
and time to revise data.
Experiment
Members are on tasks
Members do not know their Members have defined
and have defined
Cooperative tasks and have no defined responsibilities most of the
responsibilities at all
and responsibilities. Group time. Group conflicts are
times. Group conflicts are
Teamwork conflicts have to be settled cooperatively managed
cooperatively managed at
by the teacher. most of the time.
all times.
Clean and orderly
Neatness Clean and orderly workplace
Messy workplace during workplace at all times
and with occasional mess during
and after the experiment. during and after the
Orderliness and after the experiment.
experiment.

Ability to do Members do not need to

Members require Members require occasional
independent be supervised by the
supervision by the teacher. supervision by the teacher.
work teacher.
Other Comments / Observations: TOTAL SCORE
RATING = ( TotalScore ) x 100%
24
Malvecino, Juztine M.
CE405/CE41FB6

Observation:
We observed in this experiment that using method 1 and method 2, we will get different
densities on water and oil with the difference of no more than 28kg/m^3. Using method 1 and method 2
gave more difference densities on water rather than on oil. Since the mass of the wood on oil is lighter than
the mass of the wood on water.

Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that using method 1 and method 2 in this experiment gave us more
likely the average or closest value of density of a fluid. I also conclude that since the wood is lighter on oil
than water, it shows that mass is directly proportional to density and inversely proportional to volume just as
the formula for density shows.
Torcatos, Mark Lester C.
CE405/CE41FB6

Observation:
I observe that the mass of the wood decreases slightly when it is in liquid and decreases
more when it is in oil. When the wood is submerge the volume of it is still the same.

Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that the water has higher density compared to the oil. The
computation are not accurate because of the measuring tool that are used to get the masses of materials.
Franco, Rebi Jennise J.
CE405/CE41FB6

Observation:
Based on my observation the mass of wood is affected when it is in oil or water. The mass
in oil is smaller compared to water. The volume of the wood doesn't change when submerge to oil or water.

Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that the water has greater density than oil. The measuring tools that
was used affects the measured masses and volumes.
Espino, Pamela Shara L.
CE405/CE41FB6

Observation:
We observed that the mass of liquid samples on methods 1 and 2 have slight difference on
each other resulting on quite different densities. I also observed that the volume of the wood on method 2
have different values. The volume of the wood is greater in the oil than the water.

Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that this experiment show that the water has higher density than the
oil. Which is approximately 60-70kg/m^3. It also concludes that the mass of the fluid is directly proportional
to density while the volume of the fluid is inversely proportional to its density.
Victorio, Ace Louise B.
CE405/CE41FB6

Observation:
I observed that using method 1 and method 2 gave us more difference densities on water
rather than on oil. Also that mass of the wood decreases slightly when it is in water and decreases more
when it is in oil. Since the oil has lower density.

Conclusion:
I therefore conclude that in method 2, the mass of the object used (wood) varies
depending on what liquid will be using. And it shows that the change in mass of the object affect the density
of the fluid in this experiment. Which precisely shows that the mass of the liquid and object is directly
proportional to the density of the liquid and the volume of the liquid and object is inversely proportional to
the density.
Questions and Problems:

1. Are the results of all density measurement in agreement?

2. How does the buoyant force vary with the depth of the submerged object? Why?

3. An ice berg weighing 8.96 kN/m3 floats in seawater (y=10.10 kN/m3) with a volume m3 above the
surface. What is the total volume of the iceberg?

4. A log 1m long and having a diameter of 30 cm floats in fresh water. If its specific gravity is 0.75,
what is the depth of floatation?