Laboratories

XI. Lab Policy

Several labs will be performed this semester, which are designed to familiarize the student with
laboratory techniques and formal lab write-ups. The student is responsible for performing all labs
listed in this syllabus. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP LABS. Two formal lab write-ups (word processed –
NO handwriting allowed – otherwise that particular section will be reduced by 50%) will be required for
the semester. The lab notebooks and formal lab write-ups are due on the dates indicated. The lab
notebooks and formal lab write-ups shall follow the format outlined below. Student attendance is
recorded for labs. The lab grade is broken down as follows:

Lab notebook: 5%
Each formal lab write-up: 7.5% (total = 15%)

LAB NOTEBOOKS AND FORMAL LAB WRITE-UPS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE XII.

Lab Notebook

Lab notebooks must be used during lab and be legible. For students not having a notebook, that
particular lab grade will be reduced by 50%.

The lab notebook shall contain notes on the procedure performed while conducting the lab, all of the
data collected, notes on the errors encountered in the lab, ideas on how to improve the lab and any
analysis.
 Lab Notebook

Archimedes’ Principle

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment is to verify Archimede’s Principle. The student shall calculate
and measure the mass required to overcome the buoyant force.

2.0 PROCEDURE AND DATA

Procedure:

1. Obtain a large graduated cylinder (2” diameter, 13.25” height), 2 aluminum cans, and a
set of several masses of around a few grams:

Item Mass

Can A (1” diameter, 2” height) 20 grams (empty)

Can B (1” diameter, 1” height) 10 grams (empty)

Set of masses 1g, 2g, 3g, 4g, 5g, 6g, 7g, 8g, 9g, 10g

2. Measure the amount of mass required to sink the can. Gently place the masses in the
can at 1gram increments (or less) until the can sinks. Do not forget to include the mass
of the can itself.
Fstone
nen
Fcan

Fbuoyant

3. Calculate the percent difference between the calculated mass and the actual mass
required to sink the can.

Data:

Can A Cumulative Mass of Final mass of Remarks

mass of can (g) stone placed can + stone
(g) (g)

Initial condition 20 0 20 Floating

1st attempt 20 1 21 Floating

2nd attempt 21 1 22 Floating

3rd Attempt 22 1 23 Floating

4th Attempt 23 1 24 Floating

5th Attempt 24 1 25 Sunken

Can B Cumulative Mass of Final mass of Remarks

mass of can (g) stone placed can + stone
(g) (g)

Initial condition 10 0 10 Floating

1st attempt 10 1 11 Floating

2nd attempt 11 1 12 Floating

3rd Attempt 12 1 13 Sunken

 3.0 ANALYSIS

Calculated Values:

Mass of stone needed to sink the can:

Can Total mass of stones (g)

Can A 5

Can B 3

Measured Values (theoretical):

Can A:
π
Volume of can= ( 0.025 )2 ( 0.025 (2) ) =2.45437 x 10−5 m 3
4
Weight of can A (empty) = 0.020 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 0.1962 N

Buoyant Force = Weight of water displaced when can sinks

= Volume of can x unit weight of water
= 2. 45437 x 10−5 m 3 x 9,810 N/m3
= 0.24077N
Buoyant Force = Weight of empty can + Weight of additional mass
0.24077 N = 0.1962 N + x
x = 0.04457 N =4.54 grams
Therefore, can A will sink when an additional mass of 4.54g is added into it.

Can B:
π
Volume of can= ( 0.025 )2 ( 0.025 )=1.22718 x 10−5 m 3
4
Weight of can B (empty) = 0.010 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 0.0981 N

Buoyant Force = Weight of water displaced when can sinks

= Volume of can x unit weight of water
= 1.22718 x 10−5 m 3 x 9,810 N/m3
= 0.12039 N
Buoyant Force = Weight of empty can + Weight of additional mass
0.12039 N = 0.0981 N + x
x = 0.0223 N =2.27 grams
Therefore, can B will sink when an additional mass of 2.27g is added into it.
 Percent Difference :

Can A:
|E1 −E2| |5 g−4.54 g|
%difference= ×100 %= ×100 %=9. 64 %
E 1+ E 2 5 g+ 4.54 g
Can B: 2 2
E
| 1 2|
−E |3 g−2.27 g|
%difference= ×100 %= ×100 %=27.70 %
E 1+ E 2 3 g+2.27 g
2 2

Error Analysis:

Diameter (in) Uncertainty Diameter Uncertainty Height Uncertainty Height Uncertainty

(± mm) (m) (m) (in) (± mm) (m) (m)
[based on [based on 1
1 mm tape mm tape
measure] measure]

Can 1 0.5 0.025 0.0005 2 0.5 0.050 0.0005

A

Can 1 0.5 0.025 0.0005 1 0.5 0.025 0.0005

B

RSS Error:

0.00 05 m 2 0.00 05 m 2
Can A : RSS=
√( 0. 025 m)(
2
+
0. 050 m )
×100 %=2.23 %
2
0.0005 m 0.00 05 m
Can B : RSS=
√( 0.025 m ) +(
0.025 m )
×100 %=2.83 %

4.0 PROCEDURAL ERRORS AND IMPROVEMENTS

For this experiment, the Archimedes Principle was demonstrated by means of determining how
many stones will be needed to sink the given can. I was able to validate that the weight exceeding
the buoyant force will make an object sink in the water. However, I think it is much better if the
experiment was setup in such a way that there will be heavy object that is placed inside the
graduated cylinder full of water and the actual displacement of water outside the graduated cylinder
will be measured and weighed. At least by then, there will be virtual comparison between the weight
of the displaced water and the weight of the cube. For the inaccuracies in this experiment, I think it
is worth noting that due to the delicateness of the objects involved (being to lightweight), there was
a difficulty in selecting a very light can that will make it possible for the stones to be cause of the
sinking when added into the can.