Complete Lab Report 2: Density

Spring 2021
Directions: You will write a lab report based on the information in this document. This is an independent
assignment, and your teacher will not give you feedback on your language before you submit your work.
You should read the topic and Introduction, and you should look at the information given in the Apparatus,
Procedure, and Results section. Your submission will be made in 2 parts:

Part 1: Questions
Part 2: Lab report sections: Title, Aim, Apparatus, Procedure, Discussion, Conclusion

Part 1: You will write the answers to the four initial questions by hand on a sheet of lined notebook paper. You
will take a picture of your answers and upload the picture when you submit the other part of the assignment.
You are responsible for writing neatly and uploading a clear picture of your work. It will be hard to grade your
work if it is difficult or impossible to read.

Part 2: You will type the lab report sections into a Word document and upload this file at the same time as the
picture of your handwritten answers (part 1). You do not need to include any information already given in the
assignment (e.g. diagrams, data, etc.).

Note: Any report that is identical or nearly identical to another report will not receive a grade. Do not share
your work with any other student and do not copy another report from this semester or a previous semester.

Topic
Omani 10 baisa coins are brown in color, while Omani 50 baisa coins are silver. Their colors are different.
Are their densities also different? You want to know which coin has a higher density. You have an electronic
balance, a Vernier caliper, and a micrometer. You also have three 50 baisa coins and three 10 baisa coins.

Introduction
Density is the measurement of how much mass is packed within a given volume. The mass of a substance is
directly proportional to its density, whereas its volume is inversely proportional to its density.

In order to calculate the density of a coin, its mass must be measured, and its volume must be calculated after
measuring its diameter and thickness. If mass and volume are known, density can be calculated. The volume of
a cylinder is calculated using the following formula:

v = π (d/2)2t Formula 1
where v is the volume in cm 3, π is a mathematical constant 3.14, d is the diameter in cm and t is the thickness
in cm. Density can then be calculated using the formula

ϱ= m/v Formula 2
3
where ϱ is the density in g/cm , m is the mass in m and v is the volume in cm.

There are two factors that may affect the results of the experiment. Density can be affected by changes in
temperature. Therefore, the experiment is conducted in a temperature-controlled environment, eliminating
this source of error. A more significant factor is the composition of the metals in each coin type. The metals
used in each coin type can vary depending on the year the coins were made. For example, Omani 50 baisa
minted prior to 1999 contain more nickel and less steel compared to more recent 50 baisa coins. As the density
of nickel is higher than steel, these older coins have a greater density. Therefore, coins made in the same year
should be used.
 Complete Lab Report 2: Density
Spring 2021

Part 1: Questions
Answer the four questions based on the information in this document.
1. What is the means or method of this experiment?
2. What is the main finding of this experiment?
3. What evidence from the table supports the main finding?
4. Based on the information, identify one factor that is probably the cause of the error in the results?

Write your answers on a piece of lined notebook paper. Take a picture of your answers and
upload the file to the Moodle assignment. Make sure your picture is clear, so your teacher can
read it. You will submit your final writing exam the same way.

↓You can upload and submit the rest of your report as a typed Word document ↓

Parts 2 and 3: Title and Aim: Write the Title for this experiment

Part 4: Materials and Equipment

Look at the figures and the chart. Write about the materials and equipment for this experiment.
• Refer to the figure
• You should include all of the information in the chart: the measuring instruments used in the
experiment, manufacturer, accuracy, and function (how it is used).
• What coins are tested? Describe the type, quantity, condition.
• Present tense verbs in passive are mostly used in this section.
Equipment Manufacturer Accuracy Measurement
Electronic Balance Shimadzu +/- .1 gram The mass of each coin
Vernier caliper Stahlwille +/- .01 mm The diameter of each coin
Micrometer Mitutoyo +/- .01 mm The thickness of each coin

Part
5:

Omani 50 baisa coins Omani 10 baisa coins

Moore & Wright micrometer Moore & Wright Vernier caliper

(+/- .01 mm) (+/- .01 mm) Shimadzu
electronic balance
(+/- .1 gram)
Figure 1: Experimental Subjects and Instruments
 Complete Lab Report 2: Density
Spring 2021
Procedure
Write the procedure section using these notes and the results table. You must be detailed in describing all
measurements and calculations. Consider the repetition of steps and don’t forget the recording of data.

Measurements for Each Coin

Measurement Equipment Additional Actions
Mass Electronic balance Zero the balance
Place coin on tray carefully
Diameter Vernier caliper Convert to cm.

Thickness Micrometer Convert to cm.

Results

Table 1 Dimensions, Volume, Mass and Density of 50 Baisa Coins

Sample Diameter Thickness Volume Mass Density % Difference
3
Coin (cm) (cm) (cm ) (g) (g/cm3) from Average
1 2.4 0.173 0.783 6.8 8.67 3.28
2 2.4 0.174 0.787 6.5 8.26 1.56
3 2.4 0.174 0.787 6.5 8.26 1.56
Average 8.39

Table 2 Dimensions, Volume, Mass and Density of 10 Baisa Coins

Sample Diameter Thickness Volume Mass Density % Difference
Coin (cm) (cm) (cm3) (g) (g/cm3) from Average
1 2.24 0.140 0.552 4.3 7.25 0.82
2 2.24 0.141 0.557 4.1 7.36 0.68
3 2.24 0.142 0.559 4.1 7.33 0.27
Average 7.31
Percentage difference between average densities is 13.76%

Part 6: Discussion
• Main finding and support that you will discuss.
o What does the results table show?
o Are the values consistent for each sample? (Hint: 3%)
o What data support the main finding? Don’t forget values and units!
o Main finding
• Identify a discrepancy (anomaly, error) if it exists. (Hint: 3%)
o Where is the discrepancy? What is the value? Why is it considered a discrepancy?
o What is the reason for the discrepancy? (Look at the end of the Introduction and the coins in
the figure.)

Part 7: Conclusion:
Remember that this section summarizes the aim, main finding, support, and the discrepancy.