T1 Experiment - Density of a Microscope Slide

Aim:
To the determine the density of a glass microscope slide from measurements taken with two different
sets of instruments:
1. a precision electronic balance, and a Vernier gauge.
2. then with a lever arm balance and a metre rule.

Background Information:
All experiments are done with measuring instruments. No instrument is perfectly accurate - they all
have limits to their accuracy. It is important that you realise that no experiments give perfect, exact
answers.
From these 2 sets of measurements you gather in this experiment, you will calculate the density of the
glass microscope slide. One of the experiments is more accurate than the other, but both are imprecise.
From now on, all your experimental results will include the uncertainties associated with the
measuring apparatus used, and a calculation of  error in the readings and in the final result.

Apparatus:
Vernier, metre rule, microscope slide, electronic scale, lever arm balance.

Method:
1. Measure the mass of the slide on both the precise and less precise scale.
2. Measure the length, breadth and thickness of the slide with the vernier and then the metre rule.
3. Write all of your measurements in a suitable table of results with a  uncertainty at the top of each
column.

Theory: mass
density 
volume
Calculate density using the readings from the metre rule and less precise balance. Repeat this with the
readings from the precise scale and the vernier. Compare the precision of these two results.

SL Students: Calculate the maximum and the minimum possible value for the density of the slide
based upon the precision of the two sets of apparatus.

HL Students: Using the uncertainty in the readings, calculate the largest and smallest possible values
for the density of the slide. In both cases produce an answer for the density of the slide in the form:

Density = ***** g cm-3  ** g cm-3

Density = ***** g cm-3  ** %

All measuring instruments have limits to their accuracies but you can make them less accurate by not
using them carefully. It is important that :
(a) the balances are at zero before the slide is put on them.
(b) you put the slide on the balance; don’t drop it on them.
(c) the metre rule is not worn away at one end.

In all your future experiments you should always be aware of the importance of using your measuring
instruments as accurately as possible.