Laboratory Techniques Lab Report

Option One: Density Measurements Virtual Lab

Instructions: For this investigative phenomenon, you will need to determine the densities of an
unknown solid and liquid using different methods of measurement to determine if the solid will
float on water. Record your observations and test measurements in the lab report below. You
will submit your completed report.

Title:

Trinity Herget, Mrs. Fierro, September 9th, Density Measurement Virtual Lab

Objective(s): Determine what the unknown solids and liquid are

Hypothesis:

Make a prediction about the densities of the unknown solid and liquid. How will mass affect the
volume of the solid, and how will volume affect the mass of the liquid?

I predict that the unknown solid will have a higher density than the unknown liquid. The mass
will most likely increase the volume while the volume will most likely increase the mass of the
liquid.

Procedure:

Access the virtual lab and complete Part I and Part II trials of the experiment. Because this lab is
virtual, summarize the steps in which data were collected for the samples. In addition, list and
explain your controlled variables, independent variable, and dependent variable for this lab.

Materials:

Laboratory Techniques Virtual Lab

Variables:

Remember, controlled variables are factors that remain the same throughout the
experiment. An independent (test) variable changes so that the experimenter can see the
effect on other variables. The dependent (outcome) variable will change in response to
the test variable.

Controlled variables: Graduated Cylinder, type of liquid, type of rock

 Independent variable: Weight of rock, volume of liquid

Dependent variable: Volume of liquid

Summary of Steps:

Data:

Type the results of your tests in the data table below. The saved results of your measurements
can also be found by selecting the data table button within the virtual lab. Don’t forget to record
measurements with the correct number of significant figures. Hint: Using the same instrument,
you should have the same number of digits to the right of the decimal (all masses, then all
volumes, etc.).

Part I: Density of Unknown Liquid Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of empty 10 mL graduated cylinder 25.4g 25.7g 25.7g

(grams)
Volume of liquid (milliliters) 8.7mm 8.5mm 8.3mm
Mass of graduated cylinder and liquid (grams) 36.4g 36.3g 36.0g

Part II: Density of Irregular-Shaped Solid Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Mass of solid (grams) 43.591g 41.685g 40.703g

Volume of water (milliliters) 50mm 50mm 52mm
Volume of water and solid (milliliters) 55mm 54mm 57mm

Calculations:

Show your calculations for each property. Be careful to follow significant figure rules in each
calculation.

Part I: Density of Unknown Liquid

1. Calculate the mass of the liquid for each trial. (Subtract the mass of the empty graduated
cylinder from the mass of the graduated cylinder with liquid.)
o Trial 1: 11.0g
o Trial 2: 10.6g
o Trial 3: 10.3g

2. Calculate the density of the unknown liquid for each trial. (Divide the mass of the liquid
calculated above by the volume of the liquid.)
o Trial 1: 1.3g/ml
 o Trial 2: 1.2g/ml
o Trial 3: 1.2g/ml

Part II: Density of Irregular-Shaped Solid

1. Calculate the volume of the irregular-shaped solid for each trial. (Subtract the volume of
the water from the total volume of the water and solid.)
o Trial 1: 5ml
o Trial 2: 4ml
o Trial 3: 5ml

2. Calculate the density of the irregular-shaped solid for each trial. (Divide the mass of the
solid by the volume of the solid calculated above.)
o Trial 1: 8.718 g/ml
o Trial 2: 10.421 g/ml
o Trial 3: 8.141g/ml

3. Compare the density values. Are they precise and accurate? Explain your answers
completely.

The density results are not precise but they are accurate. The reason they are not precise is
because of how much the results vary. The reason that they are accurate is because they were
measured the same way.

Conclusion

Write a conclusion statement that addresses the following questions:

● Do your data support or fail to support your hypothesis (include examples)?

● Describe the pattern observed in volume measurements as different masses or volumes of
the unknown solid or liquid were selected. Explain why this pattern exists.
● How do you think the investigation can be explored further?

The data I had collected does support the hypothesis I made. I had predicted that the
unknown solid would have a higher density than the unknown liquid. The density of the
unknown solid was around 8.718g/ml while the density of the unknown liquid was
around 1.2g/ml.

I believe that the investigation can be further explored by determining what the unknown
liquid and solid are.

Post-Lab Reflection Questions

Answer the reflection questions using what you have learned from the lesson and your
experimental data. It will be helpful to refer to your chemistry journal notes. Answer questions in
complete sentences.

1. How would you determine the proper number of significant figures for measurement of a
liquid using a graduated cylinder?

2. Can just one measurement be considered precise? Can just one measurement be
considered accurate? Explain your answers completely.

3. For a boat to float on water, it must have a density lower than the density of water.
Compare the densities of your unknown liquid and solid. If a boat was made of the
unknown solid, would it float on the unknown liquid? Explain your answer.

Depending on the smallest measurement on the graduated cylinder, you can go one smaller than
that measurement. So for instance, if the smallest the graduated cylinder measured was 1ml you
could go to 0.1ml.

Just one measurement can not be considered precise. The reason is because in order for
something to be considered precise there must be multiple things to compare it to. If there were
at least three measurements you could determine if the numbers are precise. The only way
something can be considered accurate is if you have something to compare it to, therefore just
one measurement can not be considered accurate.

If a boat was made out of the unknown solid, it would not be able to float on the unknown liquid.
The reason for that is that the density of the unknown solid is much higher than the density of the
unknown liquid.