Name ______________________________

Date _______________
Determining the Density of Unknown Metals

Introduction: Most of the elements on the periodic table are metals and solids. These elements have
observable properties that make it possible to identify an unknown element. Density is one of the
properties that can be used to identify an unknown metal. As you know, density is the ratio of mass to
volume. In equation form: Density = Mass ÷ Volume.

Purpose: In this lab, you will find both the mass and the volume of several unknown metals. From
these measurements, you will calculate the density of the unknown metals. Using the chart below, you
will identify your unknown metals.

Name of Metal Density Name of Metal Density

Aluminum 2.70 g/cm3 Magnesium 1.74 g/cm3
Copper 8.96 g/cm3 Nickel 8.91 g/cm3
Gold 19.32 g/cm3 Silver 10.50 g/cm3
Iron 7.87 g/cm3 Tin 7.287 g/cm3
Lead 11.35 g/cm3 Zinc 7.134 g/cm3

Procedure:
1. You have been given several unknown metals. You will determine both the mass and the volume of
each metal and record your data in the table below.

2. Use the balance to determine the mass of each piece of metal.

3. Use the water displacement method to determine the volume of each piece of metal:
a) Fill a 100-mL graduated cylinder halfway with water. Record this initial volume of water in
the data table below.
b) Tilt the graduated cylinder slightly to one side and allow the first piece of metal to slide slowly
into the water.
c) Record the final volume of water.
d) Find the volume of the metal by subtracting the initial volume of water from the final volume
of water.
e) Repeat for each unknown metal sample.

4. Calculate the density of each piece of metal. Show your calculations and your answers in the data
table.

5. Identify the unknown metal by comparing your calculated density with the densities listed in the
table in the introduction.

6. Record the name of the unknown metal (now the known metal!) in your data table.

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Data Table:

Metal Mass (g) Volume (mL) Density Name of

Initial Final Metal Vol. Metal

Analysis Questions:

1. Did the density that you calculated for each metal match the densities given in the table exactly? If
not, explain why your calculated density was different than the density given in the table.

2. Determine the percent error in each of your calculations. To determine your percent error, use this
equation:

Percent Error = Observed Value – True Value x 100%

True Value

Percent Error for Metal A:

Percent Error for Metal B:

Percent Error for Metal C:

Percent Error for Metal D:

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3. From the introduction: “Density is one of the properties that can be used to identify an unknown
metal.” What are some other observable properties that can be used to identify these metals?

4. Is density a physical property or a chemical property? How can you tell?

5. Do you think that density is a reliable method of identifying all unknown substances? Explain your
answer.

6. Many substances expand when they are heated. How would this affect the density of the substance?

7. Copper has a density of 8.96 g/cm3. What would be the mass of a piece of copper whose volume is
14.7 cm3?

8. You discover a piece of jewelry that you think might be made of silver. You place the item on a
balance and determine that it has a mass of 12.2 grams. It displaces 1.9 cm 3 of water when placed in
a graduated cylinder. Is this item made of pure silver?

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Graphing Reinforcement:

A student was given 5 pieces of aluminum of various sizes. The student determined the mass and volume
of each piece of aluminum. This data is seen in the chart below:

Mass and Volume of 5 pieces of Aluminum

Piece Mass Volume
1 5.4 g 2 mL
2 13.5 g 5 mL
3 9.45 g 3.5 mL
4 25.65 g 9.5 mL
5 18.9 g 7 mL

Graph this information on the graph below, placing volume on the x-axis and mass on the y-axis.

9. Aluminum has a fixed density. Are the mass and volume directly proportional or indirectly
proportional for a fixed density?

___________10. Using the graph above, determine the mass of a piece of aluminum having a volume of 8
mL.

___________11. Using the graph above, determine the volume of a piece of aluminum having a mass of 16
grams.

___________12. What is the mass of a sample having a volume of 11 ml?

Teacher Preparation and Answer Key
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1. Materials List:
 Metal strips
 Graduated cylinder
 Balance
 Calculator

2. You can use your choice of metals for this lab. I most often use four metals: Copper, aluminum, lead
and zinc.

3. There are no safety concerns for this lab.

Answers to Analysis Questions:

1. Student answers will vary. The densities calculated by the student should be very close to the
densities found in the table in the introduction. Sources of error would include: (1) improper use of
the balance, (2) improper reading of the graduated cylinder, and (3) mixing up the metals samples.

2. Student calculations will vary.

3. Other properties that can be used to identify these metals include:

 The luster of the metal
 Malleability: Is the metal malleable or brittle?
 Ductility: Can the metal be drawn into a thin wire?
 Conductivity: Is the metal a good conductor or a poor conductor?
 Melting points

4. Density is a physical property. The density can be determined or observed without a chemical
change taking place.

5. Student answers will vary. Most students will reply that the density of a gas would be harder to
measure and might not be a reliable method for determining the identity of an unknown gas. Also,
if the substance was a mixture, the density of the mixture could not be used to identify the
substance.

6. If the substance expands, the density will decrease.

7. 8.96 g/cm3 = Mass

14.7 cm3

Mass = 131.712 g

8. Density = 12.2 g ÷ 1.9 cm3 Density = 6.42 g/cm3

Since the density of silver is 10.50 g/cm3, this piece of jewelry is not made of pure silver.

9. The mass and volume are directly proportional.

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10. If the volume is 8 mL, the mass would be approximately 21.6 g.

11. If the mass of the sample is 16 g, it would have a volume of 5.9 mL.

12. The student will have to extend the line on their graph to a volume of 11 mL. The mas will be
approximately 29.7 grams.

Created by Amy Brown – Science Stuff

Copyright © January 2012 Amy Brown (aka Science Stuff)
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