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<Candidate Name>

Physics Lab Sheet

Topic: Physics and Physical Measurements

Grade: XI IB-DP

Name:______________________
Lab: To Measure the density of water

In this IB Lab you will be assessed on the following IB criteria:Data Collection, Processing and Presentation and Conclusion - Evaluation
Aim:
To measure the density of water using graphical method.
Formula :
Density(D) = Mass (M)
Volume (V)
Apparatus:
Measuring cylinder, digital balance, dropper.
Method:
1. Set the digital balance to zero.
2. Put the empty measuring cylinder on the balance and record its mass.
3. Pour water in the cylinder with the help of dropper and measure its mass and volume of water.
4. Repeat this to obtain at least 6-7 set of readings of mass and volume of water.
Data Processing and Presentation:

Process your data and plot a suitable graph from which you can determine the relationship
between the variables and calculate the density of water.

Conclusion and Evaluation:

Evaluate the data that you have collected and analyzed.
Evaluate the method, including any modifications you had to make to overcome problems.
Include an evaluation of the apparatus used.
Suggest ways in which the procedure could be modified in order to improve its result for the
future.

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<Topic of Lab Report>

RESEARCH QUESTION: < How does independent variable affects dependent variable?>
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
HYPOTHESIS:
<predict relationship between the variables and the expected result with a logical explanation>
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
VARIABLES:
Independent Variable(s):

Dependent Variable(s):

Controlled Variable(s):

MATERIALS USED:

DIAGRAM:

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PROCEDURE:

DATA COLLECTION:
Table 1.1 : Least Count and Uncertainties of Measuring Instruments Used
S. No.
1.

Instrument

Unit

Least Count

Digital Balance

Uncertainty

2.

<write here any qualitative data you have recorded>

*________________________________________
*________________________________________
Table <No.>___ : <Table Heading> _________________________________________________
<Sufficient number of data usually minimum of 7 sets of data should be recorded and sufficient
spread of data should be used (ie that attempts to test the hypothesis over a large spread within the
equipment limits) the aim is to have approximately evenly-spaced points on your graph>
S. No.

Volume of water,

Mass of Measuring cylinder and Water,

(V _______) cm3

___________________

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

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< no. of decimal places in the readings should be consistent with each other and with
uncertainty of the instrument. >
<if the data table is carried forward on next page then the column headings should be redone>
DATA PROCESSING (A):
Formula for calculating the density is : Density(D) = Mass (M)
Volume (V)
In order to calculate density from the straight line graph, above equation should be written in the
form of
y = mx + c.
i.e.

M=DXV

m = D and c = 0
The gradient of straight line graph of Mass of water Vs Volume of water will tell its Density. And
there should be no y-intercept in the graphs as Mass of water is directly proportional to Volume of
water.
Table 2.1: Average Mass of water for various Volumes
_______________
S. No.

_______________,
_______________

Mass of Measuring cylinder

and Water
Average Mass, Uncertainty,
m/g
m / g

Mass of Water
Mass,
M/g

Uncertainty,
M / g

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
<write the uncertainty of calculated quantities using the rules of uncertainty explained in ch-1>
< no. of decimal places in the readings should be consistent with each other and with uncertainty of
the physical quantity in the column heading>
SAMPLE CALCULATION:
< Calculation of average of mass of measuring cylinder and water for any one reading>

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< Calculation of uncertainty of average mass for the same reading>

<calculation of Mass of water for the same reading>

<calculation of uncertainty of mass of water for the same reading>

<mention the units correctly with every calculation>

Table 2.2 : _________________________________________________________________
<readings used to plot the graph of LOBF, maxima and minima>
S. No.

Volume of water,
(V ______) cm3

Mass of Water,
M/g

Uncertainty of
Mass of Water,
M / g

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Maxima Readings
S. No.

Volume of water, V / cm3

Mass of Water, M / g

Minima Readings
S. No.

Volume of water, V / cm3

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Mass of Water, M / g

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DATA PRESENTATION:
<use only suitable axis scales like 1:1, 1:2, or 1:5 and the LOBF must cover at least 70% of graph
area i.e. it must use 70% of both the axes>
<error bars must be drawn for both the variables and should be visible for at least one variable>
<colours of markers and lines for LOBF, Maxima and Minima should be different preferably
Black-LOBF, Red-Maxima and Blue/Green-Minima>
<everything displayed below should be the part of all DCP graphs >
Graph 1: Graph for calculating density of water.

Mass Vs Volume
80
70

For LOBF

f(x) = 13x - 6
f(x) = 11.2x + 0.13
Linear
Maxima
60 (For LOBF) f(x) = 9x +For
8

Linear (For Maxima)

50

Mass of water, M / g

40
30

For Minima

20
Linear (For Minima)
10
0
0

Volume of water, V/cm3

< if error bars are too small to plot for any of the variables, you must state this below the graph >
DATA PROCESSING (B):
On comparing density equation with LOBF, Maxima and Minima equations Density = ________________gcm-3

<mLOBF (gradient of the LOBF)>

Maximum Density =_________________ gcm-3

< mMax (gradient of the Maxima)>

Minimum Density = _________________ gcm-3

<mMin (gradient of the Minima)>

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Uncertainty of Density = (Max. Density Min. Density)

2
_________________ gcm-3

<write it in 1sf with unit>

y-intercept = __________________ g

<cLOBF (y-intercept of LOBF)>

Maximum y-intercept = __________________ g

<cMax (y-intercept of Maxima)>

Minimum y-intercept = __________________ g

<cMin (y-intercept of Minima)>

Uncertainty of y-intercept = (Max. y-intercept Min. y-intercept)

2
_________________ g
<write it in 1sf with unit>
RESULT : Density of water = _________________
<density uncertainty> <unit>
<no. of dps in density should be equal to the no. of dps in uncertainty, if the digit in uncertainty is 5
or bigger then no of dps in density would be one less than no. of dps in uncertainty>
PERCENTAGE UNCERTAINTY OF RESULT:
Uncertainty of density
Density of water

________%

X 100%

<written in whole no>

CONCLUSION:

<clearly state your result with the uncertainty and if appropriated state what the result

represents in the real world.>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
<describe fully any trends shown in the graph, are the variables in direct proportion? i.e. could
the straight line go through origin, if errors are taken into account. If zero lie within the
uncertainty range of y-intercept calculated above, then variables are directly proportional>
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
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<discuss whether your data seems to support or refute your hypothesis. Specifically refer to
your calculations and/or graphs to support your conclusion.>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<comment on any systematic error i.e. y-intercept, if it is not expected in the LOBF equation>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<comment on the direction of the systematic error i.e. + or sign of y-intercept in LOBF
equation>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<comment on any further random errors. i.e. Does the best fit go through all the error bar (or
skip some) or were your uncertainties too small.>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<quote a literature value to compare your results and cite the source>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<write whether or not the literature value falls within your uncertainty range & comment on it>

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<find a percentage error between your experimental result and the literature value and
commented on this (like compare it with the uncertainty percentage of the result)>

Percentage Error = Literature Value Experimental Value

X 100%
Literature Value
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<comment on the quality of procedure, apparatus and the result - if percentage error is more
that 5% then the accuracy of result is poor and if the percentage uncertainty is more than5%
then the result is less precise>
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
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S.
No.

<Candidate Name>

EVALUATION

IMPROVEMENT

<list all possible sources of error and

state whether they were systematic or
random and appreciate how significant
are they? i.e. how are they affecting the
main result>
<look at the relative uncertainties of
your data. If a quantity has a large
uncertainty, then it would be a weakness
i.e. the result is either less precise or less
accurate or both>
<comment on errors in the assumption
of any theory being tested>
<comment on any assumptions you
made in your method which might not
have been correct, this would be a
weakness.>
<comment on any faults in the method
and looked at each step of the procedure
critically to determine where the method
was not precise.>
<comment on limitations with the
method. e.g. limited data range, only
investigating a very small part of an
interesting field.>
<comment on errors in the equipments
used (processes, use of equipment and
management of time)>

<suggest improvements for the weakness

stated in Evalution. Realistic and
clearly specified.>
<address issues of precision, accuracy
and reproducibility of the results, if you
are suggesting different equipment, be
specific>
<modifications to the experimental
techniques and the data range can be
addressed here>
<comment on how you could have had a
better control of the variables>
<suggest ways of reducing the most
significant random error.>
<comment on how you could remove the
systematic error>

< The clearest way to present your comments for evaluation and improvement is a 2-column table
with the limitation on the left and suggested improvement on the right. Minimum 3 most important
points should be listed>

<IN THIS LAB REPORT FORMAT, INSTRUCTIONS ARE WRITTEN IN ITALICS.YOU

SHOULD NOT INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR LAB REPORTS>

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General instructions :-

Formatting of the Lab Report :

Font Times New Roman
Font Size 12
Side Heading Bold and Block Letters
Body of Text Normal and Sentence case
Line Spacing 1.5
Margin 1 or 2.0 cm
Page Boarder Box
Header Candidate No. (Top Left Corner) and Candidate Name(Top Right
Corner)
Footer Page no (Bottom Centre)

Naming of Soft Copy of Lab Report:

<students name in block letters> <-> <topic of lab>
e.g.
NAMIT-Density of Water

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