Gabby Zawadzki & Ola Tanalleri
October 4, 2011
Throughout this lab there were several phases which came with their respective purposes. Our first objective was to determine the densities of blocks of wood and aluminum. Our next objective was to first calculate volume by measuring the dimensions of a solid copper cylinder. Then, after that we were to determine the density of the same copper cylinder by using the volume found by the water displacement method. Finally, we were attempting to identify three different unknown liquids by density determinations. Knowing the density of a certain material can be very vital to a scientist because density is used in many different ways in a chemistry lab. Undoubtedly the most important use of density is the ability to determine an unknown substances identity. Since every material has a unique density a scientist can simply calculate the mass and volume of an object, find the unknown object’s density and he will, without a doubt, have correctly identified the substance.
II. Experimental Design
Calculate the mass, length, width, and height of both the wood and aluminum blocks. Record the measurements in the data table.
After this is done, multiply each block’s length, width, and height in order to find the volume. Record your findings in the data table.
Then create your density equation for each block (mass over volume) then calculate and record the densities.
Afterwards, locate the book value density for wood and aluminum and record them.
Then set up your percent error equation, which is book value - experimental value over book value, the number you end up with is your percent error. Record this number.
After all of this is finished move on to Phase 2 of the lab. First, measure the mass, diameter, radius, and height of your copper and unknown...