Section: GE-1B

Name: SALVA, Prince Earl M.

Date: 26-08-21

Activity #1
DETERMINATION OF DENSITIES

I. Introduction:

Chemistry is the study of matter, and the changes matter undergoes. Chemists observe matter by
determining, measuring, and monitoring physical and chemical properties of matter. A property is any
characteristic that can be used to describe matter (e.g., size, color, mass, density, solubility, etc.).
Samples of matter can be identified by using characteristic physical properties. A substance may
have a unique color, odor, melting point, or boiling point. These properties do not depend on the quantity
of the substance and are called intensive properties. Density also is an intensive property and may serve
as a means of identification. The density of a substance is the ratio of its mass per unit volume. Density
can be found mathematically by dividing the mass of a substance by its volume. The formula is d = m/V,
where d is density, m is mass, and V is volume. Whereas mass and volume do depend on the quantity of a
substance (these are extensive properties), the ratio is constant at a given temperature. The unit of density,
reported in standard references, is in terms of g/mL (or g/cc or g/cm3 ) at 20 C. The temperature is
reported because the volume of a sample will change with temperature and, thus, so does the density
In this experiment, we will determine the density of liquids and solids. The density of a liquid can
be determined by weighing a known volume of the liquid. The dimensions of a regularly shaped object
can be measured with a ruler and the volume calculated using the appropriate geometric equation.
Irregularly shaped solids cannot easily be measured with a ruler. Instead, their volume is most easily
determined by the displacement of water or some other liquid. The solid (which must not react with nor
dissolve in the liquid and have a density greater than the liquid) is placed in a calibrated container
(usually a graduated cylinder) containing a previously measured volume of the liquid. The solid will
displace an amount of liquid equal to its volume. The difference in the liquid’s volume in the cylinder
before and after the object is added is equal to the volume of the irregularly shaped object (Figure 4)

II. Objectives:
1. To collect data from which problems dealing with density for solids and liquids may be solved.
2. To calculate the density of various samples by measurements of length, volume, and mass of objects.

III. Materials:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
IV. Procedure: Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTN_moGWaUE

1. Regular solid

2. Irregularly shaped solid

3. Liquid

V. Data:
A. Sample Cube

Length: ________
Width: ________
Height: ________
Mass: ________
Computation:

Density: (with correct label or units) __________

B. Irregularly shaped object

Initial reading: ________
Final reading: ________
Mass: ________
Computation:
Density: _________

C. Sample liquid
Volume: ________
Mass: ________
Computation:

Density: _________

VI. Discussion of Results

VII. Conclusion:

Post-Laboratory Questions
1. Three milliliters each of liquids A, B, and C are slowly added to a 10-mL graduated cylinder. Each
liquid is immiscible in the other two liquids. Liquid A has a density of 0.69 g/mL. Liquid B has a density
of 2.3 g/mL. Liquid C has a density of 1.1 g/mL. Sketch the graduated cylinder containing the mixture.
Label each liquid in the cylinder as A, B, or C. Justify your labeling with an explanation.
2. A student weighed a wet 10-mL graduated cylinder. The cylinder contained at least 0.5 mL of water
when weighed. Next, the student added sodium chloride solution to the cylinder until the bottom of the
meniscus read 5.0 mL. How will the 0.5 mL of water affect the calculated density of the sodium chloride
solution? Justify your answer with an explanation.

Ref: Laboratory Experiments for Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry 7 th Ed., Bettelheim,
Landesberg