Name Muaz Malik Block 10A

Measurement and Uncertainty Lab

Determining the density of a pebble
Objective:
To determine how the instrument used to measure affects the uncertainty of that measurement. Also, to
measure an object and apply uncertainties where needed.

Introduction:
Why do scientists use uncertainty? You must research at least one reliable* source to answer this question.
What is density? What is the formula for density? What is the Archimedes principle?
Any scientific calculations made through any means will always come with the level of uncertainty because
it is impossible to be 100% accurate; this leaves uncertainty attached with all calculations and the scientists
thrive to minimize this uncertainty. The measurement of quantity or mass per unit of volume in a given
substance is called density. The mathematical definition of density is mass divided by volume. The periodic
table's elements have varying densities, and environmental factors like temperature and atmospheric
pressure also have an impact. Other compounds that produce chemical reactions can also affect density.
According to Archimedes' principle, the weight of the fluid that the body displaces is equal to the upward
buoyant force that is applied to a body submerged in a fluid, whether fully or partially. It was created by
Syracuse's Archimedes. The buoyancy of an object always depends on the density of the fluid, volume of the
fluid is displaced and force of gravity on that object. It is this principle that no one can ever drown in the
dead sea as the density of the water is very high due to high salt concentration and a person will always float
without trying to swim.

Research Question:
How does the instrument you use to measure a pebble’s density affect the uncertainty of your measurement?

Hypothesis:
Come up with a hypothesis that answers this question using the “If… then… because” format, and make
sure you have good scientific/math reasons in your “because” section.
If we use two different methods to measure the density of the pebble then both the methods will have
different uncertainties because different methods of measurement induce different levels of uncertainty as
we use different equipment to measure the level of accuracy.

Variables:
Identify your independent variable (there should only be one!) and dependent variable. Also, identify any
control variables that could affect your investigation.
IV: Different ways of measuring the density of the pebble using String and water to measure the volume and
analog and digital scale to measure the mass.
DV: The density level with different uncertainty.
CV: Same quality of water, Same quantity of water, Same pebble for all measurements.
-=0
Materials: 1 digital scale, 1 triple beam balance, 2 graduated cylinders (10ml and 25ml), 1 ruler, 1 piece of
string, 1 rock, some water.

Procedure: Come up with a basic outline for your procedure with your partners to determine the density of
the pebble (this will be approved by me when finished)
You will need two ways of calculating volume and obtaining the mass of the pebble.
Water volume measurement:
Fill beaker to the top with water
Place the beaker into the bucket with water in the beaker
Add rock into the water and leave overspill in the bucket
Take the beaker with the rock in it out of the bucket
Use graduated cylinder and pour overspill into the cylinder
Measure and record data
Then repeat the same thing 4 more times

Digital scale:
Place the rock on the weighing scale
Let it measure the rocks weight
Then that is the weight of the rock and put that in your data table
Then repeat the same thing 4 more times.

Analog scale:
Place the rock on the weighing scale
Adjust the weights on the scale to the right amount
Make sure that the line is matched with the line on the scale
Then that is the weight of the rock and put that in your data table
Then repeat the same thing 4 more times

Rock and string measurement:

Tie string around the rock and measure where the string stops in a color like red or blue
Measure how much of the string wrapped around the rock and record the data
Do this again but on a different side of the rock with a different color so you can identify what each trial was
Measure the length and record
Multiply both measurements to get the volume
Then repeat the same thing 4 more times
Raw Data:
Create a data table in your notebook that you can use to record your measurements. (Hint: remember the
number of trials, the units, the uncertainty.

Experiment Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 Trail 4 Trail 5 Average

Analog 34.1 ± 0.5 34.2 ± 0.5 34.1 ± 0.5 34.1 ± 0.5 34.3 ± 0.5 34.16
scale
(Mass)

Digital 43.20 43.20 43.20 43.20 43.20 43.20

scale
(Mass)

Volume w/ 1258.95 ± 1258.93 ± 0.01 1258.94 ± 0.01 1258.95 ± 1258.95 ± 1258.944

String (cm) 0.01 0.01 0.01

Volume w/ 20.05 ± 0.5 21.05 ± 0.5 19.05 ± 0.5 20.05 ± 0.5 21.05 ± 0.5 20.25
Water (ml)
Processed data and Analysis:
- find your average mass from both methods
- find your average volume from both methods
- Calculate your possible density four ways

Calculations: Density = Mass/Volume

Volume using string and analog scale: 34.16g/1258.944cm^3 = 0.0271g per cm^3
Volume using sting and digital scale: 43.20g/1258.944cm^3 = 0.0343g per cm^3
Volume using water and analog scale: 34.16g/ 20.25 cm^3 = 1.686g per cm^3
Volume using water and digital scale: 43.20g/20.25 cm^3 = 2.133g per cm^3

Mass Volume using water and analog Volume using water and digital
scale scale

0g Never happened Never happened* (242.00)**

1g Never happened 20

2g Never happened * (84.72)** 16

3g 17 14

4g 25 7

Evaluation or Conclusion:
To be done when the data collection, processing and calculations are complete, there will be a separate
document provided with requirements

Conclusion:

The calculated density for Volume using string and analog scale was 0.0271g per cm^3 ± 0.001.
The calculated density for Volume using sting and digital scale was 0.0343g per cm^3 ± 0.001.
The calculated density for Volume using water and analog scale was 1.686g per cm^3 ± 0.001.
The calculated density for Volume using water and digital scale was 2.133g per cm^3 ± 0.001.
The best method to use was using an analog scale to find the mass because it gives a more accurate weight
when trying to find the mass. The best method to use was using water to find the Volume because it gives a
more accurate volume displaced when doing the experiment. The true density of the rock is calculated using
water and analog scale which most likely gave me the correct density because the analog scale was very
accurate as well as the water (1.686g per cm^3 ± 0.001).cDue to the density the rock was most likely to be a
piece of sandstone.
Evaluation:
To increase the reliability the experiment should be repeated with 3 different sizes of rocks and should be
done 5 times per rock that will give us more data as well as a more accurate average. Everytime we put the
rock (presumably sandstone) in water it would absorb some water thereby increasing the mass and thus
affecting the volume displaced so every time we remove the rock from the water it should be measured for
mass to get accurate results. The uncertainty of ± 0.5 while using the analog scale can offset the reading by
more than 6% as the weight of the stone is less which can add an element of uncertainty to each reading.
References: You need a complete works cited for your one or more sources used in the introduction.
*Reliable sources do not end in “.com” since “.com” means company, out for profit, so biased.
Reliable sources should end in .gov, .edu, .org, or another ending that means that the organization is
not out for profit
1. Introduction: https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-uncertainty

2. Evaluation: https://www.thoughtco.org/densities-of-common-rocks-and-minerals-1439119