Abstract

The experiment was carried out by filling the flask with kerosene over the one cc mark and
recording the initial reading (R1). The kerosene flask was soaked in water for at least 40 minutes.
The flask is then filled with 400g of cement sample. The flask was swirled to guarantee that all
of the bubbles came to the surface of the kerosene. It was soaked in a water bath with a constant
temperature of 20+- 0.1 degrees Celsius for at least 40 minutes. Following that, the kerosene
reading is recorded as the final reading (R2). The purpose of this experiment is to determine the
specific gravity of hydraulic cement, which is used as a measure of cement quality. The initial
kerosene reading is 0.8 cc, and the final reading is 22.8 cc, while the cement weighs 64 g. Based
on such information, the specific gravity of cement is 2.909 g/cc. Finally, the immerse bath
should be kept at 20+- 0.1 deg to ensure the accuracy of the results. The kerosene level in the
first process should be followed so that the period that the flask was immersed in the water bath
does not extend.

Introduction
Cement is one of the most important building materials. It is a building chemical that sets,
hardens, and attaches to other things to tie them together. Specific gravity is commonly defined
as the ratio of the weight of a certain volume of material (Testing material) to the weight of an
equivalent amount of water. To understand how a substance behaves in water, we compute
specific gravity. Every substance has its own specific gravity, which typically ranges between
0.1 and 100. The students' goal is to determine the specific gravity of the cement by utilizing Le
Chatelier's flask and kerosene.

Materials and Equipment

Le Chatelier's flask with cover and anchor weights
Balance
Water bath and Thermometer
Kerosene
Rubber rags
64g Portland Cement

Methods
Before starting the experiment, make sure that you do not use water when washing the flask.
Kerosene should be only used. The temperature of the water bath should be 20+-0.1 deg celsius.
For the methods or procedure of the experiment, the flask must be filled with kerosene with a
little over the one cc mark only so that the initial reading will be between 0-1 cc. The neck of the
flask should be wiped with a clean absorbent cloth. Read the kerosene level in the flask and
record it as the initial or first reading. Be sure to read the lower meniscus. Put the stopper on the
flask and immerse it in the water bath with a constant temperature of 20+- 0.1 deg celsius. The
time of immersion should be at least 40 minutes. 

The next step is to prepare 64 grams of cement sample and, after 40 minutes, remove the flask
from the water bath, ensure no water will enter the flask, and put the cement into the flask. After
putting all the 64g cement, place the stopper in the flask. Roll and whirl the flask horizontally so
that the cement adhering to the neck will fall under the kerosene level. Whirl it until no air
bubble rises to the kerosene's surface. Immerse it again into the water bath with a constant
temperature of 20+-0.1 deg celsius for at least 40 minutes. Remove the flask from the water bath,
take the reading, and record it as the final reading. The final reading should range from 18 cc to
24 cc.

Some errors happened while experimenting. The kerosene level for the initial reading is too
much over than the one cc mark, but our group immediately remove the excess kerosene to
achieve accuracy.

RESULTS
Data Gathered

The initial reading is 0.8 cc, and the final reading is 22.8 cc. With the weight of the cement,
which is 64 grams, the specific gravity of the cement is computed. The result is found to be
2.909g/cc.

Illustration:

Discussion
According to the results of the experiment, the higher your measurements are, the lower your
specific gravity. The final reading is correct because it varies from 18 to 24 cc. The experiment
only works with a little amount of cement. When filling the flask with kerosene, we can use a
syringe to control the amount of kerosene to avoid excess kerosene when it is near the one cc
mark.

Conclusion
The results of the experiment show that only a little bit more than one cc of kerosene should be
used for the first reading. The water bath must go longer than 40 minutes if there is too much
kerosene within the flask. The experiment is important for determining the cement's specific
gravity and calculating it. Students of civil engineering must comprehend the necessity of
calculating the specific gravity of cement. As for the recommended enhancement, we may use a
syringe to limit the kerosene flow while filling the flask so as to prevent extra kerosene when it is
close to the one cc mark.
References