GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 1st Semester | S.Y.

2018- 2019

NAME: GROUP DATE:

NUMBER:
SECTION: SCORE:

Activity 2: Density of Solids and Liquids

Introduction

Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance. Density is both a physical
property and an intensive property. It is a physical property because it can be measured without
changing the composition of a substance. Density is also an intensive property of matter since its value
is independent of the quantity of matter present in a substance. Pure substances have unique density
values; therefore density can be used to identify substances.

Density is determined by using the following formula: 𝒎

𝒅=
𝑽

The density of a substance can be calculated by simply measuring the mass and volume of the
substance. For regular shaped solids the volume is calculated using the specified formula for its
dimensions. On the other hand the volume of an irregular shaped solid is measured using the water
displacement method. The units of density are commonly expressed as g/cm3 for solids, g/mL for
liquids. In this experiment, you will be measuring the density of some solids and liquids.

Objectives:

At the end of activity, the students should be able to:

 Demonstrate proper laboratory techniques in measuring the mass of solids and liquids;
 Measure accurately and precisely volumes of liquids; and
 Calculate the density of different solids and liquids

Materials:

Measuring Apparatus Chemicals/ Reagents Solids

Analytical balance Ethanol Rubber stopper or marble
Ruler Water Regular shaped solid (rectangular prism or cube)
Graduated cylinder

Procedures:

A. Density of a regular shaped solid

1. Using the analytical balance measure the mass of the solid sample. Record the mass in
your data sheet.
2. With the use of a ruler, measure the dimensions of the solid in centimeters. (length, width,
height). Record the measured quantities accordingly.
3. Compute for the volume of the solid (l x w x h).
4. Calculate the density of the solid in g/cm3. Record your data.
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 1st Semester | S.Y. 2018- 2019

B. Density of an irregular shape solid

1. Using the balance, measure the mass of the rubber stopper. Record the mass in your data
sheet.
2. To determine the volume of the rubber stopper, use the water displacement method:
a. Carefully pour 50 ml of water in the 100 ml graduated cylinder. Record this as
the initial volume.
b. Place the rubber stopper in the graduated cylinder. If it floats, use the stirring rod
to carefully submerge the stopper (simply push the cube under the water just
until the entire object is submerged).
c. Read the volume measurement (in ml) of the graduated cylinder and record this
as the final volume.

3. Determine the stopper’s volume using the volume of water displaced:

Volume of solid = final volume of water – initial volume of water.

4. Compute for the density in g/mL. Note: 1 mL = 1cm3

C. Density of water: Weighing by difference

1. Measure the mass of a DRY empty graduated cylinder. This is to ensure that no additional
mass of water will be present in the graduated cylinder. Record the mass in your data
sheet.
2. Pour 50.0 mL of water into the graduated cylinder. Try to be as accurate as possible by
checking that the lower meniscus is right at the 50-mL mark. Use a dropper to add or
remove small amounts of water.
3. Weigh the graduated cylinder with the water in it. Record the mass in grams.
4. Find the mass of the water by subtracting the mass of the empty graduated cylinder
from the combined mass of the graduated cylinder and water. Record the mass of water.
5. Use the mass and volume of the water to calculate density. Record the density in g/mL.
6. If time permits, repeat the procedure for 2 more trials. Use 25 mL and 10 mL
respectively.

D. Density of ethanol

1. Measure the mass of an empty and dry graduated cylinder. Record the mass in your data
sheet.
2. Pour 10.0 mL of ethanol into the graduated cylinder. Be careful in handling ethanol. It is
a flammable substance and it is slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer).
3. Weigh the graduated cylinder with the ethanol in it. Record the mass in grams.
4. Find the mass of the ethanol by subtracting the mass of the empty graduated cylinder
from the combined mass of the graduated cylinder and ethanol. Record the mass of
water.
5. Use the mass and volume of the ethanol to calculate its density. Record the density in
g/mL.
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 1st Semester | S.Y. 2018- 2019

NAME: GROUP DATE:

NUMBER
SECTION: SCORE:

Activity 2: Density of Solids and Liquids

DATA AND RESULTS SHEET

Directions: Based from the data gathered from the experiment, record the results on the given tables.
Provide the solution for the computation of density.

A. Density of a regular shaped solid

Mass (g)

Dimensions (cm)

Volume (cm3)

*Density (g/cm3 )

B. Density of an irregular shape solid

Mass (g)

Initial volume (mL)

Final volume (mL)

Volume of water displaced

(mL)
*Density (g/cm3)

C. Density of water

Volume of water 50.0 mL 25.0 mL 10.0 mL

Mass of graduated cylinder + water (g)
Mass of empty graduated cylinder (g)
Mass of water (g)
Density of water (g/mL)
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 1st Semester | S.Y. 2018- 2019

D. Density of ethanol

Volume of ethanol 10.0 mL

Mass of graduated cylinder + ethanol(g)
Mass of empty graduated cylinder (g)
Mass of ethanol (g)
Density of ethanol (g/mL)

POST- LABORATORY QUESTIONS

1. Will the density of a solid substance change if its size or mass is reduced into half? Explain
your answer.
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2. Describe the procedure on determining the density of a cylindrical copper tube.

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3. What is the proper way of measuring volume of a liquid using a graduated cylinder?
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For numbers 4-6, show your complete solution and express your final answer to the correct
number of significant digits.

4. Bromine is a reddish-brown liquid. Calculate its density (in g/mL) if 586 g of the
substance occupies 188 mL.
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 1st Semester | S.Y. 2018- 2019

5. Lithium is the least dense metal known (density: 0.53 g/cm3). What is the volume
occupied by 1.20 x 103 g of lithium?

6. Calculate the mass of a sphere of gold with a radius of 10.0 cm (the volume of a sphere
with a radius r is V= (4/3)π3. The density of gold is 19.3 g/cm3).

References:

https://www.jove.com/science-education/10082/determining-the-density-of-a-solid-and-
liquid

http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/lessonplans/chapter3/lesson3
GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1 1st Semester | S.Y. 2018- 2019