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Lab Write Up: 1. TITLE (1 Sentence)

1. The document summarizes a lab experiment that measured and compared the density of pennies made before 1982 and after 1982. Pennies made before 1982 were solid copper, while later pennies had a zinc core with a copper coating. 2. The results showed that the pre-1982 pennies had a higher density of 6.2 g/mL compared to the post-1982 pennies' density of 7.6 g/mL. This supported the hypothesis that solid copper pennies would be denser than zinc-core pennies. 3. Errors could have been made in the water displacement method or data collection that affected results, but the experiment still demonstrated that copper is a denser metal than zinc as

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120 views

Lab Write Up: 1. TITLE (1 Sentence)

1. The document summarizes a lab experiment that measured and compared the density of pennies made before 1982 and after 1982. Pennies made before 1982 were solid copper, while later pennies had a zinc core with a copper coating. 2. The results showed that the pre-1982 pennies had a higher density of 6.2 g/mL compared to the post-1982 pennies' density of 7.6 g/mL. This supported the hypothesis that solid copper pennies would be denser than zinc-core pennies. 3. Errors could have been made in the water displacement method or data collection that affected results, but the experiment still demonstrated that copper is a denser metal than zinc as

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Lab Write Up

1. TITLE (1 sentence):
The effect of different metal compositions of pennies on the density of the pennies.
2. ABSTRACT (1 paragraph):
In this lab, we used 2 types of pennies; pennies made before 1982 and pennies made after 1982. The pre 1982 pennies
were made entirely with copper and post 1982 pennies were made of zinc with a copper coating. We wanted to compare the
density of the two sets of pennies by graphing the mass vs. volume. We hypothesized that the pre 1982 pennies would be heavier
in density than the post 1982 pennies. During this lab we would need to find the mass of the pennies by using a scale and we
would determine the volume by using the water displacement method. For the water displacement method we would fill a
graduated cylinder with 20 mL of water. Our results showed us that the pennies of pre 1982 were denser than the pennies of post
1982. In conclusion, even though our hypothesis was supported, we could have made some errors along the was that could have
changed the results of our lab.
3. INTRODUCTION (1 paragraph):
We know that the density of copper is higher than zinc (COPPER= 8.96 g/mL) (ZINC= 7.140 g/mL) and we know how
to measure mass and volume and calculate density. We also know that before 1982 pennies made of copper and after 1982
pennies were made of zinc and copper coating. (Biotech 2016) I observed that the pre 1982 pennies were a little dirtier while
post 1982 pennies were shinier.
4. QUESTION & HYPOTHESIS (2 sentences):
Would pennies made of only copper be more dense than pennies made of zinc and a copper coating? If pennies are made
with copper, then they would have more mas compared to the pennies with zinc and a copper coating because copper is more
dense than zinc.
5. MATERIALS
Graduated cylinders, scale, pennies, water, weight boats
6. PROCEDURE (list):
1. Collect 6 pennies made before 1982 and 6 pennies made after 1982
2. Grab a graduated cylinder and fill it with 20 mL of water
3. Place a penny in the water and calculate the volume by subtracting 20 mL by the amount of water in the
graduated cylinder with the penny inside
4. Keep adding pennies and recording your results on the worksheet until all the pennies are inside the graduated
cylinder
5. Grab a scale along with a weigh boat
6. Clear it and make sure the scale is at 0
7. Place a penny on the weigh boat on the scale and record
8. Keep placing your pennies on the weigh boat and recording your results until all the pennies are on the weigh
boat
9. When youre finished with pre 1982 pennies repeat with post 1982 pennies
10. When youre finished with everything, youll need to divide your volume by mass and youll find your density
7. RESULTS (data table, graph and 2 sentences):
Data table
# Pennies

Pre 1982 Pennies

Post 1982 Pennies

Volume (cm)

Mass (g)

Volume (cm)

Mass (g)

0.5

0.5

2.5

6.1

9.2

1.5

7.5

12.3

10.2

15.4

12.7

18.5

15.2

Graph 1 - Pre1982 pennies

Graph 2 - Post 1982 pennies

Pattern Statement:
For the pre 1982 pennies, the slope is steeper compared to the slope of the post 1982 pennies.

Evidence:
The density of the 6 pre 1982 pennies is 6.2 g/mL and the density of the 6 post 1982 pennies is 7.6 g/mL.

8. CONCLUSION (2 paragraphs):
My original hypothesis was supported and you can tell that the pennies were denser because of the steeper the
slope. We messed up the first time we were doing the lab because we thought we had to find the mass and volume of each penny
individually instead of adding them up each time, so we had to start over about two times to get it right. I also think we could
have made an error in how much water we should have put in the graduated cylinder to complete the water displacement method
and that could have possibly made a difference in the results my group got. I dont think my results are extremely conclusive, but
I think if I had to show others, they would get the idea that pennies made before 1982 are denser than the pennies made after
1982. Compared to the other people in class, I think that every one's data will be different because we didnt all use the same
exact pennies.
I think pennies that were made before 1982 are denser because if you measured copper and zinc, copper is 8.96
g/mL while zinc is 7.140 g/mL which indicates that copper is already denser than zinc. This experiment showed me that I should
read the directions more carefully for future labs, so that I could get the lab right the first time.
9. CITATIONS:
Density Lab Anytime Anywhere Chemistry Experience Retrieved February 23, 2016 from
http://uncw.edu/chem/courses/reeves/onlinelabs/density/density_r&d3.htm
Unknown Penny Lab Handout Retrieved from mshosford.weebly.com

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