Name ___________________________________ Period ________

An Investigation of Density

Introduction: This lab activity has multiple purposes. Primarily it is an investigation wherein you will
determine the density of water at room temperature, but it is also intended to provide you will the skills you
need to collect measurements of mass and volume and you will learn a lab technique – how to find the
density of any liquid. . In the second experiment you will determine the density of a solid using the method
of water displacement.

Density is an intensive property, which means it is a physical property that does not depend on amount.
Theoretically the density of any liquid at a given temperature and pressure will be constant (the same) if the
precision of your data collection is good!

Part 1: Density of a Liquid

1. Record the mass of a clean, dry graduated cylinder.
2. Add 20.0 mL water to the graduated cylinder. Measure the mass of the cylinder with the water
in it to the correct number of significant figures, and record it in the data table as Trial #1
3. For the remaining trials, add the different amounts of water in the data table to the cylinder and
record the mass of the water for each trial.
4. Find the density for each trial by using dividing the mass of the water by the volume. Be sure
to use the correct number of significant digits, which would be 3.
5. Find the average density of all 7 trials again reporting your answer with 3 significant figures.
Name ___________________________________ Period ________

Part 2: Density of a Solid by Water Displacement

1. Obtain either an aluminum sample (Al – silver colored) or a copper sample (Cu – orange colored). Record
which you have in the title of the 2nd data table.
2. Find the mass of the metal to the correct number of significant figures according to your scale.
3. Fill a graduated cylinder with 60.0 mL of water. Record your exact volume to the correct number of
significant figures.
4. Tilt the graduated cylinder slightly and slide the metal into the water causing minimal splashing.
5. Stand the cylinder upright and record your volume to the correct significant figure (tenths place)
6. Determine the volume of the metal by water displacement (Final Volume – Initial Volume)
7. Determine the density of the metal by solving D = mass/ volume to the correct number of significant figures
8. Find out the densities of the two other groups who had your same metal. Record and average the 3 class
trials.

SEE BACK FOR DATA TABLE EXAMPLES

Purpose of the Lab:

Primarily, this an investigation wherein you will determine the density of water at room temperature, but it is also
intended to provide you will the skills you need to collect measurements of mass and volume and you will learn a lab
technique – how to find the density of any liquid. In the second experiment you will determine the density of a solid
using the method of water displacement.

Table #1: Density of Liquid Water Data Table

Trial Volume Mass of the water + Mass of the Mass of the Density
(mL) graduated cylinder graduated water (g) Mass/Volume
(g) cylinder (g/mL)
(g)
1 20.0
2 30.0
3 40.0
4 50.0
5 60.0
6 70.0
7 80.0
Average 
Name ___________________________________ Period ________

Table #2 Density of a Solid Metal: _________________ Data Table (Note 1 mL = 1 cm3)

Mass of metal (grams)

Volume of water only (mL)
Volume of water + metal (mL)
Volume of metal (cm3)
Density of metal (g/cm3)

Table #2 Average Density of ______________

Table Density (g/cm3)

My Table
# ___
# ___
Average

Data Analysis:

Construct a graph of your data for the liquid water. Follow the instructions to ensure you draw a proper graph.
(Graph paper is required)

a. Which variable did you control or change in this experiment? The volume is the independent variable. The
Independent Variable is plotted on the horizontal axis. Make a scale that runs from 0-100 mL. Label this axis
with word: Volume and the unit: mL.
b. Which variable responded to the change you made? Which variable did you measure but not control? Mass
is the dependent variable because it depended on the first variable. The dependent variable is graphed
along the vertical axis. Make a scale that runs from 0-100 grams. Label this axis with the word: Mass and
the unit : grams

c. Plot the data points for mass and volume (DO NOT PLOT DENSITY!)

d. Since your data includes uncertainty, you use a ruler to draw a line of best fit that best describes your data.
DO NOT connect the dots. It is okay if all of your points are not on the line, but there should be about the
same number above the line as below it.

e. Be sure to put a title on your graph: The Effect of Volume on the Mass of Water

f. Cut out your graph and glue it into your notebook

Name ___________________________________ Period ________
Name ___________________________________ Period ________

Conclusion Questions

1. What is the average density of water at room temperature according to your data with the graduated
cylinder? ________________g/mL

2. If slope = rise/run which in this graph is mass/volume, what does the slope of your line represent?
____________________

3. Look at your graph, since density is an intensive property, the ratio of mass to volume should be directly
related. This means most of your data points should fall on your best fit line if your data collection was
precise. DEFINE PRECISION and explain why based on your line of best fit, you think your data has high
precision or low precision.

4. The theoretical value for the density of water at room temperature is 0.998 g/mL (very close to 1.00 g/mL!)
Calculate the percent error of your results using your average density of water and using the formula:

%error = ( theoretical value – experimental value ) x 100

theoretical value

Show your work. Box your answer.

Was your average accurate? ______ Explain by DEFINING ACCURACY.

5. The theoretical density for Aluminum is 2.70 g/ml. The theoretical density of copper is 8,94 g/ml. Use the
equation above to determine the %error for the average experimental density of the 3 trials for the metal..

Show work. Box your answer.

Was your average accurate? ______ Explain by DEFINING ACCURACY

6. The mass of an unknown solid is 65.03 grams. When it is dropped into water, the volume of the
water changes from 50.0 ml to 71.5 ml. What is the density of the unknown solid? Show your
work and box your answer and include the unit of density. (use the correct number of significant
figures.)
Name ___________________________________ Period ________

7. In one sense, density can be considered the concentration of matter in an object, or how much
matter is packed into a certain amount of space. In general solids are more densely packed than
liquids. Items that are less dense tend to float in substances that are more dense, while more
dense items sink. Look at the demonstration on the back counter with the diet coke and the
coke. Since the density of water is .998 g/mL at room temperature, make a hypothesis about the
density of diet coke and coke as compared to water based on your observations. Give a reason
for your hypothesis.

Extra Credit (1 point)

Can you think of a substance where the solid form is LESS dense than the liquid form. Explain how you know this
through observation?
Name ___________________________________ Period ________
Name ___________________________________ Period ________