CHEM 101A

Density 2
Density is an intensive physical property of matter that requires measurements of two
quantities: the mass, m, and the volume, V, of a given amount of a substance. The ratio of
these two quantities, the mass per unit volume, is the density. Stated in equation form:
d=m/V.

The SI unit of density is the kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3), but in chemistry density is
given in g/L or g/ml.

Since 1 liter equals 1000 cm3, 1 ml = 1 cm3, and g/ml equals g/cm3 or g/cc.

Grams per liter is used for gases, grams per milliliter is used for liquids and solids.

Density is temperature dependent, since all substances change volume as the temperature
changes. Gases are much more variable in this regard than solids or liquids.

Densities for a few substances are shown on the table. Notice how the densities are given
to varying amounts of significant digits. This depends on the source for the data and the
care used to make the measurements. The value for wood has only 1 significant digit. It is
an approximation, since there are many different kinds of wood with densities that vary. If
the density for the gas, oxygen, had the same units as the other densities, the value would
be 0.00143 g/ml.

Substance Density

Osmium 22.5 g/ml

Lead 11.34 g/ml

Iron 7.6 g/ml

Aluminum 2.7 g/ml

Water 1.0 g/ml

Gasoline 0.67 g/ml

Wood 0.6 g/ml

Oxygen 1.43 g/L

The density of oxygen given is for 1 atmosphere of pressure and 0°C. For the other sub-
stances, the density is measured at 20°C.

Ohlone College 2-1

CHEM 101A

OBJECTIVES
In this experiment, you will
• Calculate the density of a unknown liquid measuring its mass and volume.
• Determine the density of an unknown solid measuring its mass and volume.
• Prove that density is an intrinsic property.

Figure 1

MATERIALS
Decigram balance unknown liquid
Graduated cylinders unknown solid
Weighing boats

PROCEDURE
PART 1. Density of a Liquid.
You will be using color-coded liquids in this portion of the experiment. You should return
the liquid to its container when you finish with it. This is the only time you will be
requested to return a substance to its stock container during this course.

The general rule is: Never return a substance to its stock container.
1. Obtain and wear goggles.

2. Weigh a graduated cylinder on the decigram balance. Record its mass to the nearest 0.1 g.

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 2-Density

3. Add between 40 to 50 ml of one of the unkown liquids from the fumehood to the cylinder.
Record the volume to the nearest 0.1 ml. Record which liquid you are using.

4. Weigh the liquid and cylinder on the same decigram balance used for the first weighing, and
again record the mass to the nearest 0.1 g.

5. Return the liquid to its container.

To validate your experimental technique, dry out the cylinder, and repeat this procedure
using the same liquid but a different volume. The densities obtained should not vary more
than 2 or 3 units in the last significant digit. If they do, you may be using the balance or the
graduated cylinder or both incorrectly. Rinse out the cylinder with deionized water and
allow it to drain.

PART 2. The Density of a Solid.

Your instructor will give you a container with a solid for this part of the experiment. Record the
number on the vial containing the solid on the data sheet. Spread the solid onto a paper
towel and check to see if it is dry. Dry it with a paper towel, if necessary.
1. Zero out the mass of a weigh boat on a decigram balance. Add the solid to the weigh boat and
record this mass to the nearest 0.1 g.

2. Add about 30 ml of deionized water to a graduated cylinder and record the volume to the
nearest 0.1 ml.

3. Tilt the cylinder, and carefully add the solid to the cylinder. Tap the cylinder a few times to
dislodge any trapped air bubbles. Record the new volume to the nearest 0.1 ml. The change in
volume gives the volume of the solid.

4. Pour the water off from the solid. Spread the solid out over a few thickness of paper towel. Pat
the solid dry.

Repeat the experiment three more times. Use a different amount of solid for every run.
When you are finished make sure the solid is dry and put it back into the sample vial.

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CHEM 101A

DATA TABLES
Part 1: Density of a Liquid

Unknown Liquid:________ Trial 1 Trial 2

Mass of graduated cylinder (g)

Mass of graduated cylinder eith liquid (g)

Mass of liquid (g)

Volume of liquid (ml)

Density of liquid (g/ml)

(use significant digits rules)

Book value for density (from instructor) g/ml

% error (use significant digits rules)

𝑫(𝒆𝒙𝒑) − 𝑫(𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌)
% 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑫(𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌)

The closer the experimental data is to the book value, the fewer the number of significant
digits in the % error value.

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 2-Density

Part 2: Density of a Solid

Solid # Run #1 Run #2 Run #3 Run #4

Mass of solid (g)

Volume of water
(ml)

Volume of water
and solid (ml)

Volume of solid
(ml)

Density of solid
(g/ml)

Book value from

instructor

% error

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CHEM 101A

QUESTIONS
1. If the weighings in this experiment were done on a milligram balance, but the volumes
were measured the same way, would the densities calculated be more accurate? To be
specific in your answer, do the following. Use the mass in run 1 of the table above. Show
how it would look to the nearest 0.001 g (Use .011 for the last digits, just to have
something concrete.) Use the volume of the solid from the same run above, and following
the rules for significant digits, recalculate the density.

2. Assume that the mass is known to three significant digits. Calculate the number of
significant digits for each of the following cases if the original volume of the liquid in the
graduated cylinder for the density of a solid had been 31.3 ml,

Final Volume:
a) 31.9 ml

b) 36.5 ml

c) 45.2 ml

3. Using the data obtained in part 2, graph mass (not density) on the vertical axis vs
volume on the horizontal axis. Use a graph paper and also do it in excel

slope (from graph paper) = ___________

slope (from excel) = ________________

What is the meaning and value of the slope of the line?

4. When calculating % errors, sometimes the answer is positive, sometimes it is

negative. Explain what a positive or negative number means for % error.

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