Department of Industrial Chemistry

Chemistry Lab for Medical Sciences (Slides)

by
Dr. Faady Siouri

Experiment 3 : Determination of Density

Summer 2019
Dr. Faady Siouri
 Objective
• To determine the density of solid and liquid substances.

Dr. Faady Siouri

 Introduction
Mas
Density 
s
Volum
e
• Density unit: g/cm3 (which is the same as g/mL)
or

kg/m3.

Dr. Faady Siouri

 A. Density of a Regularly Shaped
Solidof regularly shaped objects are spheres, cylinders, and
• Example
rectangular blocks
• If we know the dimensions of a regularly shaped object, we
could calculate the volume using a formula.

Dr. Faady Siouri

1.Obtain a regularly shaped object and record its number on the
report sheet.

2.Measure its dimensions to 0.02cm with a ruler. Record the values of

the length, width, and height of the block on the report sheet.

3. Measure the weight of the block to 0.01g with a balance.

4.Calculate its volume using the correct equation and record on the
report sheet.

5. Calculate the density of the block and record on the report sheet.

Dr. Faady Siouri

 Data and Results
A. Density of a Regularly Shaped
Solid Run Number Trial # 1
Wooden block number
Length (cm)
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
Volume (cm3)
Weight (g)
Density (g/cm3)

 Calculations of the density of the wooden block:

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 Practice Question
A. Density of a Regularly Shaped Solid
What is the volume of a sphere with a radius of 3.5 cm?

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 B. Density of an Irregularly Shaped Solid
1.Weigh a piece of stone to 0.01g in a plastic weigh boat. Record the data on
the report sheet.

2.Place about 30 mL of water in a 50 mL graduated cylinder and read the

volume to 0.1 mL.

3. Carefully add the stone (tilt the cylinder and slide the stone).

4. Calculate the density of the stone.

5. When finished, dry the stone and place it back in the container.

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 Results and Data
B. Density of an Irregularly Shaped Solid
Run Number Trial # 1

Mass of stone (g)

Initial volume in graduated cylinder (mL)

Final volume in graduated cylinder (mL)

Change in volume {∆V} (mL)

Density (g/mL)

 Calculations of the density of the stone:

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 Practice Question
B. Density of an Irregularly Shaped Solid
A 15.05 g object is dropped into a graduated cylinder containing 35.0 ml
of water. The water level rises to the 45.0 ml mark. What is the density
of the solid?

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 C. Density of a Liquid
1. Obtain an unknown liquid, a 50 ml burette, and a clamp.
Record the unknown number on the report sheet.

2.Rinse the burette using two 5 mL portions of the unknown. Run the liquid
out through the tip to rinse the tip and to check for proper flow. Close the
stopcock and then add the unknown to the burette until it is filled above the
zero mark. Open the stopcock and allow some unknown to run from the tip
until no air bubbles remain in the tip (you may find that opening and closing
the stopcock several times will help to remove the air bubbles). Record the
initial volume reading to 0.01 ml. Dr. Faady Siouri
3.Weigh a 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask to 0.01 g. The flask must be dry on
the inside and outside.

4.Carefully deliver approximately 10 mL of the unknown into the 125 mL

Erlenmeyer flask.

5.Reweigh the flask with the unknown in it. Record this weight.

6a. Read and record the final burette reading.

6b. Determine the unknown volume and record it on the data

sheet.

7. From the weight and volume of the unknown calculate its

density.
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 Data and Results
C. Density of a Liquid
Run Number Trial # 1
Mass of unknown liquid (g)
Initial volume in Burette (mL)
Final volume in Burette (mL)
Change in volume {∆V} (mL)
Density (g/mL)

 Calculations of the density of the unknown liquid:

Dr. Faady Siouri
 Practice Question
C. Density of a Liquid
In the laboratory, the density of a liquid was obtained. A burette was used
to precisely measure the volume of the liquid the following data was
obtained: Initial reading (burette)………………5.10 ml
Final reading (burette)……………….45.12 ml
Weight of flask and liquid……………106.008 g
Weight of empty flask………………...62.002 g

a) Calculate the density of the liquid.

b) The accepted value for the density is 1.085

g/ml. Calculate the percent error.
Dr. Faady Siouri
 Turn In
Part Run Number Trial # 1
A:
Wooden block number
Length (cm)
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
Weight (g)

Part B: Run Number Trial # 1

Mass of stone (g)
Initial volume in graduated cylinder (mL)
Final volume in graduated cylinder (mL)
Part C: Run Number Trial # 1
Mass of unknown liquid (g)
Initial volume in Burette (mL)
Final volume in Burette (mL) Dr. Faady Siouri