Expt. 1 Measurement of Density of A Liquid: Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, Hydrometer

For the exclusive use of ChE 18L OTL Class in Xavier-Ateneo
Measurement of Density of a Liquid | Experiment 1
Group Members: Group No.: 5-B

1. Cagampang
2. Capinpuyan Section: EA1
3. Piloton
4. Yu Date Submitted: 12 Jan 2021
Expt. 1 Measurement of Density of a Liquid:

Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, Hydrometer
I. Objectives:
 To determine and compare the densities of varying

concentrations of sucrose and water mixtures.
 To compare the results from the pycnometer, the Westphal

balance, and the hydrometer.
II. Apparatus: III. Symbols of Chemicals:

Analytical Balance Beaker H2O
Filter Paper Funnel C12H22O11
Graduated cylinder Hot Plate
Iron ring Iron stand
Thermometer Watch glass
Hydrometer Pycnometer
Westphal Balance
IV. Procedure: (Note: Write schematic diagram at the last 2 pages of the data sheet.)
1
This material is owned by XAVIER-ATENEO CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT.
V. Data and Results:
1. Density Measurements using Pycnometer
Table 1.1. Data for Water

Trial Averag
1 Trial 2 Trial 3 e
Empty (g) 32.358 32.399 32.357 32.371
Temperature 29.00 29.20 29.40 29.20 °C
(°C)
Empty + 57.054 57.039 57.020 57.038
H2O(g)
H2O (g) 24.696 24.640 24.663 24.666 g
Density of Water at 29°C = 0.995948 g/cm3

Table 1.2. Data for 1.25% Sucrose
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Empty (g) 32.358 32.358 32.358
Temperature (°C) 27.80 28.00 28.20
Empty + Sucrose 57.196 57.180 57.193
(g)
Sucrose (g) 24.838 24.822 24.835
Specific Gravity 1.0070 1.0063 1.0068
Density (g/cm3) 1.0029 1.0022 1.0028
Average Density 1.0026
(g/cm3)
Average Temperature: 28.0 °C
Table 1.3. Data for 2.5% Sucrose

Empty (g) 32.358 32.358 32.358
Temperature (°C) 27.80 28.20 28.60
Empty + Sucrose (g) 57.532 57.512 57.534
Sucrose (g) 25.174 25.154 25.176
Density (g/cm3) 1.01645 1.01564 1.01653
(g/cm3)
Table 1.4. Data for 5% Sucrose

EMPTY (g) 32.358 32.3580 32.3580
0
Temperature (°C) 28.20 28.60 28.80
Empty + Sucrose 57.609 57.5670 57.5710
2
(g) 0
Sucrose (g) 25.251 25.2090 25.2130
0
Specific gravity 1.0237 1.0220 1.0222
Density (g/cm3) 1.0196 1.0179 1.0180
(g/cm3)
Empty (g) 32.358 32.358 32.358
Temperature (°C) 29.20 29.00 29.20
Empty + Sucrose 58.295 58.272 58.297
(g)
Sucrose (g) 25.937 25.914 25.939
Specific Gravity 1.0515 1.0505
1 8
Density (g/cm3) 1.0472 1.0463 1.04733
5 2
(g/cm3)

Empty (g) 32.35 32.358 32.358
8
Temperature (°C) 29.00 29.40 29.20
Empty + Sucrose 59.19 59.189 59.208
4
(g)
Sucrose (g) 26.83 26.831 26.850
6
0
Density (g/cm3) 1.083 1.0834 1.0841
6
(g/cm3)

Empty (g) 32.358 32.358 32.358
Temperature (°C) 29.40 29.60 29.60
Empty + Sucrose 60.570 60.577 60.588
(g)
Sucrose (g) 28.212 28.219 28.230
3

Density (g/cm3) 1.1391 1.1394 1.1398
(g/cm3)
Table 1.8. Calculated Density Values of Sucrose by Weight Percent, and Percent Error based on
Literature values
Literature
Concentra Density
Value* % Error
tion (g/cm3)
(g/cm3)
1.25% 1.0026 1.00209 0.05%
2.50% 1.0162 1.011 0.51%
5% 1.0185 1.01783 0.06%
10% 1.0470 1.03811 0.85%
20% 1.0837 1.08093 0.25%
30% 1.1394 1.12695 1.10%
*values are interpolated and obtained from [2] and [3]
1.2000
1.1500
1.1000
1.0500
1.0000
0.9500
0.9000
1.25% 2.50% 5.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00%
DENSITY
Figure 1. Relationship between sucrose solutions [%w/w] and density [g/cm3] using the
calculated values from Table 1.8.
2. Density Measurements using Westphal Balance

Calibration
 0.5g at notch 7
Equilibrium Rider Moment in Water (Temperature: 30 deg C)

 5.0g at notch 4
 5.0g at notch 6
∴ Mw = 1.0
4
Table 2.1. Temperature readings

Concentra Average
tion Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Temperature (°C)
1.25% 29 29 29 29
2.5% 31 31 31 31
5% 29 29 28.5 28.8
10% 30 31 30 30.3
20% 29 30 29 29.3
30% 31 31 30 30.7
Table 2.2. Equilibrium Rider Moment in Sucrose

Concentra Average
tion Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Moment, M
1.25% 1.006 1.006 1.006 1.006
2.5% 1.0071 1.0071 1.0071 1.0071
5% 1.023 1.023 1.023 1.023
10% 1.042 1.042 1.042 1.042
20% 1.107 1.107 1.107 1.107
30% 1.139 1.139 1.139 1.139
Table 2.3. Calculated Density Values of Sucrose according to Weight Percent, and Percent Error
based on Literature Values
Literature
Concentrat Density Value*
ion (g/cm3) (g/cm3) %Error
1.25% 1.0016 1.003065 0.1461
2.5% 1.0027 1.011 0.521
5% 1.019 1.01783 0.115
10% 1.037 1.03811 0.107
20% 1.102 1.08093 0.0194
30% 1.134 1.12695 0.626
5
1.15
1.1
Density (g/cm3) 1.05
0.95
0.9
1.25% 2.50% 5.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00%
Concentration (%w/w)
Density (g/cm3)
Figure 2. Relationship between sucrose solutions [%w/w] and density [g/cm3] using the calculated
values from Table 2.3.
3. Density and Specific Gravity Measurements using Hydrometer
Table 3.1. Experimental Values of Density of Sucrose Solutions with Known Weight Percent
Sucro Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Average
se
Density Density Density Density
Soluti SG SG SG
(g/cm3) (g/cm3) (g/cm3) (g/cm3)
on
1.25% 1.003 0.99894 1.003 0.99894 1.002 0.99794 0.99860
2.50% 1.006 1.00192 1.006 1.00192 1.007 1.00292 1.00226
5% 1.016 1.01188 1.015 1.01089 1.016 1.01188 1.01155
10% 1.037 1.03280 1.035 1.03081 1.036 1.03180 1.03180
20% 1.078 1.07363 1.078 1.07363 1.077 1.07264 1.07330
30% 1.128 1.12343 1.128 1.12343 1.127 1.12243 1.12310
(Density of H2O at 29°C is calculated to be 0.995948 g/mL based from Table 2-30 Density (kg/m3) of
Saturated Liquid Water, Perry’s Chemical Engineer’s Handbook)
Table 3.2. Percent Error Values based from the Sucrose Solutions’ Experimental Values and
Literature Values
Densi Literat
Sucrose ty ure %
Solution (g/cm Value* Error
3
) (g/cm3)
1.25% 0.99860 1.00209 0.35%
2.50% 1.00226 1.011 0.86%
5% 1.01155 1.01783 0.62%
10% 1.03180 1.03811 0.61%
20% 1.07330 1.08093 0.71%
6
30% 1.12310 1.12695 0.34%

Concentration [%w/w]
1.13
1.11
1.09
Density [g/cm3]
1.07
1.05
1.03
1.01
0.99
1.25% 2.50% 5.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00%
Density (g/mL)
Figure 3. Relationship between sucrose solutions [%w/w] and density [g/mL] using the calculated
values from Table 3.1.
7
SUCROSE
DENSITY (g/cm3)
CONCENTRATION PYCNOMETER (29°C) WESTPHAL (30°C) HYDROMETER
(29°C)
1.25% 1.0026 1.0016 0.99860
2.50% 1.0162 1.0027 1.00226
5% 1.0185 1.019 1.01155
10% 1.0470 1.037 1.03180
20% 1.0837 1.102 1.07330
30% 1.1391 1.134 1.12310
LITERATURE % Error % Error % Error

VALUE (g/cm3)
1.00209 0.05% 0.15% 0.35%
1.011 0.51% 0.52% 0.86%
1.01783 0.06% 0.12% 0.62%
1.03811 0.85% 0.11% 0.61%
1.08093 0.25% 0.02% 0.71%
1.12695 1.08% 0.63% 0.34%
Table 4. Categorized values of Percent Error with the respective sucrose concentrations [%w/w]
and literature value from Pycnometer, Westphal Balance and Hydrometer.
Density [g/cm3]
Concentration [%w/w]
Pycnometer Westphal Balance Hydrometer
Figure 4. Relationship between sucrose solutions [%w/w] and density [g/cm 3] using the
calculated values from Table 4 (from Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, and Hydrometer)
8
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
A. Density Measurements using Pycnometer
Mass of the Substance = Mass of Pycnometer with the Substance - Mass of Empty
Pycnometer
Mass of Water = 57.054 g - 32.358 g = 24.696 g
Massof Sucrose
Specific Gravity of Sucrose =
Mass of Water
24.838 g
Specific Gravity = =1.0070
24.666 g
Density of Sucrose = Specific Gravity * Density of Water at Specific temperature (29°C)
Density of Sucrose = 1.0070∗¿0.995948 g/cm3 = 1.0029 g/cm3
Average Density of Sucrose = Sum of all densities / 3

Average Density of Sucrose = (1.0029 g/cm3 + 1.0022 g/cm3 + 1.0028 g/cm3) / 3= 1.0026 g/cm3
Average Temperature = Sum of all Temperatures / 3

Average Density of Sucrose = (27.80+28.00+28.20) °C / 3 = 28.00 °C
Overall Average of Temperature = Sum of all Temperatures / 6

Overall Average of Temperature = (28.00+28.53+29.20+28.20+29.13+29.53) °C / 6 = 28.77°C =
29°C
% Error = | ExperimentalAcceptedValue
Value− Accepted Value
|∗100
% Error = |1.0026−1.00209
1.00209 |∗100=0.05 %
B. Density Measurements using Westphal Balance
Calculating for Density of 1.25% Sucrose

 5g at notch 4
 5g & 0.5g at notch 6
∴ M = 1.006
g
@30 degC , ρw =0.99567
cm 3
ρ M
=
ρw M w
ρ 1.006
=
g 1.0
0.99567
cm3
9
g
ρ=1.0016
cm3
%error=¿ experimental value−theoretical value∨ ¿ x 100 ¿

theoretical value
%error=¿ 1.0016−1.003065∨ ¿ x 100 ¿
1.003065
%error=0.1461%
C. Density and Specific Gravity Measurements using Hydrometer
Density=SG( Density of water at specific temp)
Av erage Density=
∑ of 3 density values
3
% Error=¿ experimental value−literature value∨ ¿ ∗100¿
literature value
For 1.25% [%w/w] Sucrose Solution:

g g
Density=1.003∗0.995948 =0.998935844 ≈ 0.99894
mL mL
g g g
0.99894 +0.99894 +0.99794
mL mL mL g
Av erage Density= =0.99860
3 mL
%Error=¿ 0.99860−1.00209∨ ¿ ∗100=0.35 % ¿
1.00209
10
VI. Analysis
a. Figures and Tables
The density of a liquid can be determined using different density measuring

devices namely, Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, and Hydrometer. [8] To justify the densities
on their different concentrations and temperature, the sucrose solution was divided into 6
concentrations – 1.25%, 2.50%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. In Table 1.1 and Table 1.9, three
(3) trials were conducted to determine the mass of the water and the average temperature. It
yielded 24.666 g and 29°C respectively. Using the 29°C temperature, it had the equivalent
density of 0.995948 g/cm3 in the Perry’s Handbook. The same process was conducted for
the determination of the mass of the sucrose, specific gravity, and density at different
concentrations. The specific gravity is equal to the mass of sucrose at a specific
concentration over the yielded mass of water. This specific gravity was used to determine the
density of the sucrose. Density is equal to the specific gravity multiplied by the density of
water at a specific temperature (29°C). As shown from Table 1.2 to Table 1.7 are the
collected data and tabulated results and in Table 1.8 is the summary of all densities. For the
concentrations 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, they yielded 1.0026, 1.0162, 1.0185,
1.0470, 1.0837, 1.1394 and with the percent error of 0.05%, 0.51%, 0.06%, 0,85%, 0.25%
and 1.11%, respectively. As for the basis of the percent error, the concentration 1.25% and
5% has the closest value to the theoretical value which has the percent error of 0.05% and
0.06%, respectively. In Figure 1, The calibration curve of the graph correlates with the
concentration of the sucrose as it increases, its density also increases. This also implies
changing the concentration of the solution, changes the density of the solution. Therefore, the
concentration is directly proportional to its density. This is because the design of the
pycnometer has fixed volume, accurate reading of the values for it reads with three decimal
places and eliminating the uncertainties [9].
For the determination of the density of sucrose using the Westphal Balance, the
temperature of each sucrose solution was measured. As shown in Table 2.1, the average
temperature of the six sucrose solutions with varying concentrations ranged from 28°C –
31°C. To solve for the density of the solutions, the equilibrium moment in sucrose (M) was
measured with the use of a Westphal balance. After submerging the glass plummet in the
solution, series of weights (5.0g, 0.5g, 0.05g, and 0.005g) were placed on specific notches to
readjust the balance of the instrument. The weights placed on the notches were then
recorded to determine the respective moment. The equilibrium riding moment of each
solution is presented on Table 2.2. The average moments of 1.25% sucrose, 2.5% sucrose,
5% sucrose, 10% sucrose, 20% sucrose, and 30% sucrose are 1.006, 1.0071, 1.023, 1.042,
11
1.107, and 1.139, respectively. The densities of the sucrose solutions were calculated using
the formula, d/dw = M/Mw. The calculated density values, as shown in Table 2.3, are 1.0016
g/cm3, 1.0027 g/cm3, 1.019 g/cm3, 1.037 g/cm3, 1.102 g/cm3, and 1.134 g/cm3. Also presented
in Table 2.3 are the literature values of the densities of the sucrose solutions along with the
percent error of the experiment. A high of 0.626% and a low of 0.02% percent error was
observed in the experiment. Lastly, the relationship between the sucrose solutions by weight
percent and the calculated density values can be seen in Figure 2, which shows that the
concentration of sucrose is directly proportional to its density.
For the determination of density of sucrose using the Hydrometer, specific

gravities of each solution were observed and measured. The hydrometer was submerged to
each solution inside the graduated cylinder and was balanced to obtain the readings for
specific gravity. Table 3.1 shows the experimental data of specific gravities and calculated
densities per weight percent of sucrose solutions from 3 trials. The density of water used at
29°C is calculated to be 0.995948 g/cm3 [1] and was used as a reference density. The
individual densities are obtained by multiplying the measured specific gravities to the
reference density. It can be seen that there is a direct relationship of concentration of sucrose
solution to its experimental values of specific gravities, and densities [4] (the lower the
concentration, the lower the SG and density, the higher the concentration, the higher the SG
and density). These values are simplified in Table 3.2 which shows the percent error values
of each concentration, 30% concentration having the lowest percent error, and 2.50%
concentration having the highest concentration. A potential error may have been done in
choosing the best and accurate literature value at a specific temperature. The data acquired
from determining density using the hydrometer are plotted in Figure 3 which explains a direct
relationship of %w/w concentration sucrose solution to its density.
Table 4 shows the categorized values of percent errors with the respective
sucrose concentrations and literature values obtained from Table 1.8, 2.3, and 3.2. A direct
relationship of concentration [%w/w] and calculated density [g/cm 3], as shown in Figure 4, can
be observed using Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, and Hydrometer in the determination of
density.
b. Density-Measuring Devices
To determine the density and specific gravity of sucrose solution with varying
%w/w concentrations, Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, and Hydrometer were used. The
pycnometer is a flask with a close-fitting ground glass stopper with a fine hole through it, so
that a given volume can be accurately obtained [5]. For Westphal Balance, a plummet of
known mass and volume is immersed in the liquid whose density is to be measured or,
alternatively, a sample of the solid whose density is to be measured is immersed in a liquid of
known density, and the loss in weight is measured, using a balance with movable weights [6].
Last apparatus for used is Hydrometer, which is an instrument used to determine specific
gravity and it operates based on the Archimedes principle that a solid body displaces its own
weight within a liquid in which it floats [7]. As shown in Table 1, the calculated value of density
of 1.25%, 2.50%, and 5% concentration of sucrose solution using the Pycnometer gathered
the least value of percent error at the temperature range of 29°C – 30°C. The usage of
Westphal balance reveals the calculated densities having the least percent error at 10% and
20% sucrose solution. And for hydrometer, it shows the least value of percent error for the
highest sucrose concentration (30%) by 0.34% error.
12
From the values of percent errors, at lower concentrations (1.25%, 2.50% and
5% %w/w of sucrose solutions) the pycnometer reveals as the best density measuring device
with percent errors of 0.05%, 0.51%, and 0.06%. At the range of 10%– 20% sucrose
concentrations, the Westphal balance can be analyzed to be the most accurate density
measuring apparatus at 30°C. Lastly, the hydrometer reveals to be more accurate to its
literature value at highest concentrations at a temperature ranging from 29°C – 30°C.
c. Error Analysis
The sources of the errors in this laboratory experiment come from the
uncertainties of the measuring devices using a thermometer for varying temperature,
analytical balance for air pressure, pycnometer, Westphal balance for its alignment and
hydrometer) and how the readings were obtained based on human sight. Also, the fluctuating
temperature and pressure inside the room is a potential error since it is ideal that the
pressure and temperature should avoid fluctuation in initial readings while experimenting.
One specific example is the effect of temperature in obtaining specific gravity using a
hydrometer since water becomes less dense as temperature increases until it undergoes
evaporation.
VII. Conclusion
In this experiment, densities and specific gravities of 1.25%, 2.50%, 5%, 10%,
20%, and 30% %w/w concentrations of sucrose solutions were measured and calculated
with the use of three apparatus: Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, and Hydrometer. It can
be deduced that at the lowest %w/w concentrations of sucrose solutions, the Pycnometer
shows a significant value of percent errors 0.05%, 0.51%, and 0.06% for 1.25%, 2.50%,
and 5% sucrose solution, respectively, making it the most accurate in measuring density
for low concentrations. Whereas at the 10% and 20% %w/w concentrations, the percent
errors acquired from using Westphal Balance were the lowest compared to the two
devices. And at the highest sucrose concentration (30%), the use of the hydrometer
revealed the lowest percent error making it the most accurate in obtaining density at the
highest concentration for this experiment.
Additionally, all the experimented apparatus are convenient only on some

specific concentrations. The pycnometer is convenient to use for 1.25%, 2.5% and 5%.
Since it gives a more accurate density than the hydrometer and Westphal’s Balance only
on lower densities. Upon using the pycnometer, the concentration is directly proportional
to its density. For it has a fixed volume, accurate reading of the values for it reads with
three decimal places and eliminating the uncertainties unlike the hydrometer whose scale
can lead to an estimated reading.
VIII. References
[1] Green, D. and Perry, R., 2007. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook (8th Edition). 1st ed. Blacklick,
USA: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing; 2-96 Physical and Chemical Data
13
[2] https://wiki.anton-paar.com/en/density-and-density-measurement/sucrose-density; Date accessed:

January 10, 2021
[3] https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-chemistry1labs/chapter/lab-2-introduction/; Date accessed:

January 10, 2021
[4] https://faculty.uca.edu/kdooley/sugar_content_by_density_v010813.pdf; Date accessed: January 11,

2021
[5] https://www.che.utah.edu/site-specific-resources/chemical-
engineering/department_equipment/Projects_Lab/A_Pycnometer/SOP_General_Pycnometer_Information
_(pdf).pdf; Date accessed: January 11, 2021
[6] https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Westphal+Balance; Date accessed: January 11, 2021
[7] https://www.grainger.com/know-how/equipment-information/kh-product-guide-how-to-use-a-
hydrometer; Date accessed: January 11, 2021
[8] https://www.scribd.com/document/331085202/Determination-of-Density-of-a-Liquid-
NIADAS Date accessed: January 11, 2021
[9] https://www.fpharm.uniba.sk/fileadmin/faf/Pracoviska-
subory/KFCHL/ENG/lectures/Physics/1.Density-pycnometer.pdf Date accessed: January 12,
2021
14
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF PROCEDURE
15
1.
16

Expt. 1 Measurement of Density of A Liquid: Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, Hydrometer

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Expt. 1 Measurement of Density of A Liquid: Pycnometer, Westphal Balance, Hydrometer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

For the exclusive use of ChE 18L OTL Class in Xavier-Ateneo

Measurement of Density of a Liquid | Experiment 1

Group Members: Group No.: 5-B