La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata

First Term Project 2022-23

Class 8
Physics

HYDROMETER

Hydrometers are graduated devices that measure the relative densities of liquids. They are
commonly used in the making of acid batteries, to check the purity of milk, etc. Commercial
hydrometers are tubes of glass weighted with metal, but you can make a simple hydrometer
with day-to-day objects.
In this project, you will be required to make a simple hydrometer. Afterward, you can use it
to test the density of water with various salt concentrations as well as other liquids.
Aim: To make a simple hydrometer and compare the densities of other liquids to that of fresh
water.
Materials required :
1. A straw
2. A ruler
3. Scissors
4. Modelling clay
5. A clear cup/glass
6. Tap water
7. Salt
8. A pencil/ pen / thin marker
9. A spoon
10. Other liquids such as milk, oil, juice, etc.
Procedure:
1. In order to make the straw float upright in the liquid in your cup, model some modelling
clay in the shape of a bulb and push it into one end of the straw.
2. The straw along with the bulb, when immersed in the tap water should not have more than
3.0 cm sticking out of the surface. With the help of some scissors cut the straw to a suitable
length.
3. Use a ruler and a marker/pen/pencil to mark the straw at every 0.5 cm for measuring
purposes.
4. Float your hydrometer in the fresh tap water and record the length up to which it sinks.
5. Add two spoons of salt to the fresh water and float your hydrometer in it. Note the reading
of the hydrometer.
6. Now fill in the cup with any other liquid of your choice and take note of the readings.
(You can repeat the experiment as many times with as many liquids you wish to)
7. Conclude whether the liquids are lighter than fresh water or heavier.
8. Record and Tabulate your observations as shown below:
Reading of hydrometer in fresh water = __________cm
Liquid used Reading of the hydrometer Conclusion

1. Salt water -----cm

2. Oil -----cm

3. Apple Juice etc ------cm

Think and answer the following questions:

1. State some methods by which you can improve your hydrometer.
2. Arrange the liquids you have used in your experiment in order of decreasing densities.
3. State one precaution you had to take while doing the project.

NOTE:
➢ You need to submit a hard copy of your project.
➢ Use file papers to do your project.
➢ All the questions must be attempted serially.
➢ Unnecessary decoration of the project is not required.
➢ Stick pictures wherever necessary (your pictures while performing the experiment
are most welcome). Each picture should have a border and should be labelled.
➢ The entire project should not be more than 10 pages.
➢ Write an acknowledgement and bibliography.
➢ In the first page, give your details like name, class, roll no, and topic.
➢ The last date of submission is 15th July 2022.