National University – Laguna

School of Engineering and Architecture

Experiment 1
Measurement and Density

Bool, John Patrick S.

Cayaban, Joseph David V.
Evangelista, Geean Leigh P.
Santos, Laurice B.
Torres, John Vincent D.

BSCE231C
December 2023
Introduction

According to Taylor (2018), the convergence of empirical precision and theoretical

comprehension achieves its highest point in the precision of measurements and the insights drawn
from the examination of density in the realm of everyday chemistry confronting this planet. This
scientific endeavor takes an analytical retracing, uncovering the numerous interdependencies that
make measures and density fundamental to chemical understanding. The art of measuring is at the
heart of the scientific process, requiring an exquisite combination of technical insight and
methodological elegance (Christian, et al., 2013). As everyday chemists navigate the academic
environment of laboratory exercises and everyday experimentations, the importance of exact
measurements becomes increasingly clear. In measuring substances’ properties and composition
such as density, scrupulous attention to measurement methodologies is the genuine core of such
scientific investigation (Apak, et al., 2016). The concept of scientific reliability takes shape within
the area of these quantitative investigations, aiding the formation of hypotheses, confirmation of
experimental data, and, eventually, the expansion of the chemical knowledge that runs the greatest
minds of this world. In terms of measurements, on the other hand, is seen not only in their
numerical output but also in their flexibility when applied to the concept of density. As a physical
parameter, density is crucial in determining material composition and structural properties. It is
the manifestation of mass per unit volume, a scalar quantity that transcends states of matter and
encapsulates a substance's essence (Brewer, et al., 2014). The meaning of density, as determined
from precise measurements, emerges to examine the inherent properties of various substances.

As a result, this experiment’s initiative strives to go beyond a basic understanding of

measures and densities, aiming to provide a general understanding that involves theoretical
frameworks with practical applications. The experimental complexities associated with measuring
physical quantities and determining density require close examination. The experiment aims to
cover a wide range of contemporary techniques used in determining the measurements and
densities, from volumetric procedures to using advanced equipment and glassware. As this
academic journey progresses, the overarching goal is to cultivate a genuine awareness of the
relation between measures and density in the context of regular college chemistry rather than just
an explanation of scientific terms. This experiment seeks to unravel the layers of complexity
inherent in these fundamental chemistry concepts.
Learning Objective
• To measure the mass and volume of liquid samples using different laboratory
instruments.
• To distinguish between accuracy and precision and determine sources of errors.
• To generate individual density data and obtain and analyze statistical
interpretations from class data.
Experimental Objective

• To determine the density of a known liquid (Coca-Cola® variants) using

several different glassware and instruments.
• To compare class data and examine the accuracy and precision of each technique.
• To use deductive reasoning to identify an unknown liquid.

Methodology

Throughout the experiment, they gathered data and organized the system agreeably
involving defining the main topic or problem, determining the objectives and limitations of the
study, selecting appropriate methods for data gathering and analysis, and evaluating results. In
research papers, particularly in research projects, it is important to include a methodology in the
paper. This section not only ensures the validity and reliability of the research findings but also
provides a clear and organized strategy for conducting the research. To do this experiment, we
need a particular equipment, such as:

Chemicals

1. Coke (Original)

2. Coke Zero

Equipment:

1. Analytical Balance

2. Top-loading balance

3. Empty Bottles

4. Beaker

5. Graduated cylinder

6. Volumetric flask
 7. Bulbs or pumps

8. Erlenmeyer flask

Experimental Procedures

At the beginning of the experiment, we provided two variants of Coke: Coke Original and
Coke Zero. After putting on our protective equipment (PPE), we poured 80 ml of Coca-Cola
Original into a beaker, which would be used for the entire experiment with the analytical balance
tool and top-loading balance. Since we knew we wouldn't use all of the soda, we improvised a
tumbler to collect the excess liquid. We then proceeded with the first part of the experiment, which
involved measuring the mass and volume of the empty bottle and the bottle with the sample to
determine the density. We rinsed the bottle, ensuring that the outside was dry, as we would use it
to measure the empty bottle without any extra weight. The bottle was capped and weighed using
both balances to record its empty mass.

After disposing of the liquid and rinsing the bottle with water, we carefully poured 25 mL
of Coke into a graduated cylinder, which needed to be clean and dry to obtain accurate
measurements. We then transferred the Coke into the bottle and weighed it again to record the new
mass of the container (bottle) plus the sample. The soda was poured down the sink, and we rinsed
the bottle several times with water. Finally, we dried the outside of the bottle. This process was
repeated using a volumetric flask and an Erlenmeyer flask, measuring volumes of 25 mL and 40
mL, respectively. To calculate the density of each glassware, we used the formula Mass (M)
divided by Volume (V), specifically, the mass of the 25 mL sample (g) divided by 25 mL.

For the Part 2 of the experiment, 30mL of sample is needed. To obtain the required sample,
the group used the graduated cylinder to obtain 30mL of both Original Coke and Coke Zero. For
measuring the mass, the group made use of analytical balance for a more detailed measurement.
First, the empty bottles of both chemicals were measured. Second, the empty bottles that now have
30mL of sample within were also measured in mass (g). Then, to obtain the mass of the 30mL
sample itself, the mass of the empty bottle was deducted from the mass of the bottle containing the
30mL sample. This step was done for both chemicals. Finally, the density was identified through
M/V with M being the mass of the sample divided by the V, which is the given volume of 30mL,
this was done individually for Original Coke and Coke Zero.
Result and Discussion
This section presents the data gathered from the investigation and discusses the concepts
and theories behind it.

Analytical Balance Top-loading balance

Glassware Coke Coke Zero Coke Coke Zero
GRAD. Mass of empty
29.690 g 29.839 g 30 g 30 g
CYL. bottle (g)
Mass of bottle +
53.475 g 51.841 g 55 g 53 g
sample (g)
Mass of 25 mL
23.785 g 22.002 g 25 g 23 g
sample (g)
Density (g/mL)
0.9514 g/mL 0.88008 g/mL 1 g/mL 0.92 g/mL

VOL. Mass of empty

30.400 g 29.965 g 30 g 30 g
FLASK bottle (g)
Mass of bottle +
55.854 g 54.474 g 56 g 55 g
sample (g)
Mass of 25 mL
25.814 g 24.509 g 26 g 25 g
sample (g)
Density (g/mL)
1.0325 g/mL 0.98036 g/mL 1.04 g/mL 1 g/mL

ERLEN. Mass of empty

30.020 g 30.215 g 30 g 30 g
FLASK bottle (g)
Mass of bottle +
54.614 g 53.943 g 55 g 54 g
sample (g)
Mass of 25 mL
24.594 g 23.728 g 25 g 24 g
sample (g)
Density (g/mL)
0.9837 g/mL 0.94912 g/mL 1 g/mL 0.96 g/mL

Table 1. Mass and Density of Coke and Coke Zero

Table 1 presents the class data gathered from the experiment. It highlights the differences
in usage of the three glassware: the graduated cylinder, volumetric flask, and Erlenmeyer flask. In
terms of Analytical Balance, the three glassware have close gaps between them with regards to the
mass of 25mL samples of Coke with a graduated cylinder having 23.785g and a density of 0.9514
g/mL, the volumetric flask with 25.814g and a density of 1.0325g/mL, and lastly the Erlenmeyer
flask with 24.594g and a density of 0.9837g/mL. With the same balance but to the mass of 25mL
samples of Coke Zero with a graduated cylinder having 22.002g and a density of 0.88008g/mL,
the volumetric flask with 24.509g with a density of 0.9803 g/mL, and lastly the Erlenmeyer flask
with 23.728g with a density of 0.94912g/mL.

Also in this table, we can see the results from the Top-loading Balance with the use of the
same glassware in the Analytical Balance experiment. With the use of the said balance, the
researchers came up with the results with minimal differences of results with 25mL of a sample
from Coke with a graduated cylinder having 25g and a density of 1g/mL, the volumetric flask with
26g and a density of 1.04g/mL, and lastly the Erlenmeyer flask with 25g and a density of 1g/mL.
From the 25mL of a sample of Coke Zero with a graduated cylinder having 23g and a density of
0.92g/mL, the volumetric flask with 25g and a density of 1g/mL, and lastly the Erlenmeyer flask
with 24g and a density of 0.96g/mL.

Among the three glassware, the graduated cylinder is the most common to use inside of the
laboratory because it is more convenient to use or store liquids and it is designed for more accurate
measurements with a much smaller chance of errors than the others (Beakers vs. Graduated
Cylinders: The Pros and Cons of Common Lab Glassware, 2020; Heney, 2022).

Coke Coke Zero

Mass of empty bottle (g)
30.339 g 29.948 g

Mass of empty bottle +

59.979 g 58.026 g
sample (g)
Mass of sample (g)
29.64 g 28.078 g

Density of sample (g/mL)

0.988 g/mL 0.936 g/mL

Table 2. Mass and Density of a 30 mL Sample of Coke and Coke Zero

Shown in Table 2 is the illustration of the class data gathered from the experiment. The
assigned volume is 30mL. Using the data, the researcher calculates the average and the standard
deviation of the densities of the Coke and Coke Zero. It shows that the average of coke is 1.001
g/mL; coke zero is 0.948 g/mL. Comparing the mass of empty bottles in (g), the mass of empty
bottle sample (g), the mass of sample (g), and the density of sample (g/mL), coke is heavier than
coke zero. Since intensive properties do not depend on the quantity of substance or material, we
can conclude that density belongs to this property. Density depends only on the composition of the
substance and not on its size or amount. The density of a substance does not change no matter how
much/many or small/big the substance is, the density will always remain constant at room
temperature. When doing mass measurement, the researcher uses digital analytical balance which
is a highly accurate weighing device used to measure small amounts precisely.
 Figure 1. A digital Analytical Balance (left) and a digital Top-loading Balance (right).

Figure 1. illustrates the digital Analytical Balance and a digital Top Loading Balance. A
thorough knowledge and care of the balances used in the laboratory is essential. Many weighing
are rough and require a top-loading balance. However, semi-micro quantities must be weighed
using an analytical balance. According to Mettler Toledo (2011), a manufacturer of analytical
balances, customers frequently underestimate the level of accuracy required by their processes.
Once the application has been clarified, it can be determined what is expected in terms of accuracy
according to the relevant international norms and guidelines. More specifically, an analytical
balance will function better in terms of accuracy and measurement capability than a precision
balance if you work in a setting where precise measurements are necessary. In case you work in a
setting where precision is not a need and there is no significant variation in your measurement, a
precision balance can be a suitable option.

Conclusion

After conducting the experiment as well as analyzing and interpreting the results, the
following key points were concluded.

1. Density

• Through the experiment, the group further understood how density is identified as
an intensive property. It is also identified that density is directly related to mass and
volume as it reveals the ratio between the two. The results of Table 1 and Table 2
showed that with the difference in mass and volume comes along the change in
density, the temperature will also play a key role in determining density. In
addition, based on the experiment’s results, the densities of both chemicals aren't
constant as they are heterogeneous mixtures.

2. Coke

• The regular coke is identified to have a higher density. The composition of the
substance mattered as the additional sugar content contributed to its density. The
 average density of a 25mL of regular coke using analytical balance is 0.9892 g/mL
and 1.0133 g/mL using top loading balance. For the 30mL sample, analytical
balances were used resulting in 0.988 g/mL.

3. Coke Zero

• Compared to regular Coke, Coke Zero exhibits a lower density due to the difference
in the chemical composition. With the same equipment used, a 25mL of Coke Zero
indicated an average density of 0.9480 g/mL using the analytical balance and 0.960
g/mL using the top loading balance. On the other hand, the 30mL sample measured
with analytical balance showed an average density of 0.96 g/mL.

4. Graduated Cylinder and Volumetric Flask.

• In terms of accuracy, the graduated cylinder was proven to be more reliable with
the measurements. The said glassware displayed a more reasonable accuracy for
volume measurements. However, the volumetric flask provides a more reliable
measurement when it comes to precision. Based on the data our group gathered, the
measurements are closer to each other using the volumetric flask. Both the sample
mass and density of Coke (Normal) and Coke (Zero) show precision towards each
other with the volumetric flask being involved while using the graduated cylinder
shows larger gaps within the results.
 References

Apak, R., Özyürek, M., Güçlü, K., & Çapanoğlu, E. (2016). Antioxidant activity/capacity
measurement. 1. Classification, physicochemical principles, mechanisms, and electron transfer
(ET)-based assays. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 64(5), 997-1027

Beakers vs. Graduated Cylinders: The Pros and Cons of Common Lab Glassware. (2020, June
13). Lab Pro Inc. https://labproinc.com/blogs/laboratory-equipment/beakers-vs-graduated-
cylinders-the-pros-and-cons-of-common-lab-glassware

Brewer, C. E., Chuang, V. J., Masiello, C. A., Gonnermann, H., Gao, X., Dugan, B., ... &
Davies, C. A. (2014). New approaches to measuring biochar density and porosity. Biomass
and bioenergy, 66, 176-185.

Catherine Shaffer, M.Sc., Mettler Toledo (2011). Choosing a Laboratory Balance: It’s All
About Accuracy.

Christian, G. D., Dasgupta, P. K., & Schug, K. A. (2013). Analytical chemistry. John Wiley &
Sons.

Heney, P. (2022, August 1). What are graduated cylinders? Research & Development World.
https://www.rdworldonline.com/what-are-graduated-cylinders/

Taylor, J. K. (2018). Quality assurance of chemical measurements. Routledge.