NEW BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

ENERGY AND MATTER LAB
GROUP A
PHYS1131A

INSTRUCTOR: SHANON MILUTIN

STUDENT’S NAME:
ESTEBAN CONTRERAS

LAB #2 DENSITY
DATE OF THE EXPERIMENT:
09/19/2023
Energy and Matter Lab
Lab #2 DENSITY

Purpose:
To learn how to take different measurements in order to obtain mass density.

Objective:
To use different measurement tools (for length and weight) in order to calculate mass
density and to know how to identify qualitative errors.

Team Partners Name:

Julian Diaz Varela
Esteban Contreras Gonzalez

Date of the experiment:

September 19, 2023

Objective Given:
The Learner will:
1) Measure the mass and dimensions of three objects.
2) Calculate the mass density
3) Identify qualitative errors in the experimental setup or measurements..
Introduction
Mass and Weight
The mass of an object is a fundamental property of the object; a numerical measure of
its inertia; a fundamental measure of the amount of matter in the object. Definitions of
mass often seem circular because it is such a fundamental quantity that it is hard to
define in terms of something else. All mechanical quantities can be defined in terms of
mass, length, and time. The usual symbol for mass is m and its SI unit is the kilogram.
While the mass is normally considered to be an unchanging property of an object, at
speeds approaching the speed of light one must consider the increase in the relativistic
mass.

The weight of an object is the force of gravity on the object and may be defined as the
mass times the acceleration of gravity, w = mg. Since the weight is a force, its SI unit is
the newton. Density is mass/volume.

Mass density
Mass density is a representation of the amount of mass (or the number of particles) of a
substance, material or object in relation to the space it occupies. However, this
measurement is not necessarily constant; mass density depends on several factors,
including temperature and pressure.

Equipment list
1. Vernier caliper
2. Tri-beam balance
3. Objects of unknown density

1. Vernier caliper
2. Tri-beam balance

3. Object
Specifications
1. Vernier Caliper:
Different reading scales on vernier (metric and imperial), high accuracy
(0.02mm and 0.001in)
2. Tri-beam balance
Capacity: 610g, Platform size: 6 in, accuracy: 0.1g

3. Object: Unknown density and material

Procedure
1. In the group, each student will measure one of the objects. Ensure that everyone
in the group makes at least one mass and dimension measurement.

2. Measure dimensions using a vernier caliper

3. Measure mass using a Tri-beam balance

For the cylinder

 Mass: 259.3 g
Diameter 28.56mm
Height: 52.26mm

Results
 Height Diameter Mass
Object 1
Cilinder
52.26mm 28.56mm 259.3g
Object 2
Rectangular Prism
Depth Height Width Mass
34.1mm 76.5mm 76.5mm 151.2g

Calculate the density mass, figure 1 (Cylinder):

D=m/V
m=259.3g (1kg/1000g) = 0.2593 kg
V=π r2 h
r=28.56mm/2 r=14.28mm
h=52.26mm
V= π (14.28mm)2 (52.26mm)
V=33479.24mm3 (1m/1000mm)3
V=3.35x10-5 m3

D=0.2593 kg/3.35x10.5 m3
D=7740.30 kg/m3

Calculate the density mass, figure 2 (Rectangular prism):

D=m/V
m=151.2g (1kg/1000g) = 0.1512 kg
V=w d h
w=76.5mm d=34.1mm
h=76.5mm
V= (76.5mm) (76.5mm) (34.1mm)
V=199561.73mm3 (1m/1000mm)3
V=1.99x10-4 m3

D=0.1512 kg/1.99x10.4 m3
D=759.80 kg/m3

Discussion
It is important to learn how to use measuring tools to calculate a different property of an
object, for example, in this case with the use of measurements of dimension and weight
we can determine mass density of an object and we could use the result to explain
different behaviour of an object, as the property of floating or sinking in the water; if we
calculate the specific gravity (compared with water) we would observe that in the case
of the cylinder it would be higher than one, so that it would sink and in the case of the
rectangular prism it would float since the specific gravity would be less than one.

Conclusion

Which item had the largest density and why?

Comparing the two objects, the object with the largest density is the cylinder since its
density is higher: 7740.3 kg/m3, the specific gravity is 7740.3/1000 = 7.74 which is larger
than one and in the case of the rectangular prism is 759.8/1000 = 0.759 which is less
than one. The cylinder is made of metal which is heavier and the rectangular prism is
made of wood that is lighter.

Can you suggest any improvements that would improve the accuracy using the same
apparatus?
What I suggest is to follow the indications given at the beginning of the experiment:
a) Before each measurement, close the jaws, and ensure the readout is 0.
b) Ensure that the caliper jaws are perpendicular to the object. If not, the reading
will be erroneously large.
c) After each measurement, close the jaws and check that the readout is 0.00. If
not, check the jaws for the presence of dirt
And make something similar with Tri-beam balance
a) Before each measurement, put all the poises to the left, and ensure the readout
is 0.
b) Ensure that the object is centered in the weighing plate and wit the adjusts of the
poises the balance is perfect and pointing to the mark of the trig loop assembly
c) After each measurement, check that the readout is 0.00.

In conclusion, we have to take care of the way in what we measure and we have to
analyze our measurements in order to give them an explanation to the properties that
an object could have in consequence with its measurements.
References

1. R. Paul Drake, High-Energy-Density Physics. Ed. Springer Cham., 2018, ISSN

1868-4513.
2. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/