Experiment 2: Measurement of Density

Purpose
(1) To become familiar with the fundamentals of scientific measurement.
(2) To measure the densities of regularly shaped homogeneous objects.

Theory
If a solid object is homogeneous, its density can be calculated from the formula:

=m/V (1)

where m is the mass of the object and V is its (solid) volume. Its mass is measured using the
beam balance scale. If the object is a regularly shaped object, then its volume can be determined
from its geometry (diameters, lengths radii).

VOLUME
SHAPE IMAGE SYMBOLS
FORMULA

L = length
Rectangular Block V = LxWxH W = width
H = height

r = radius
Right Circular Cylinder V = r2h
h = height

Sphere V = 4r3/3 r = radius

Every measurement carries with it an inherent uncertainty (limit of precision). In order to

minimize this uncertainty (to maximize the precision) either several measurements of the same
object, or one measurement of several objects, can be made. With so many measurements one
usually reports the average (the total of all the measurements divided by the number of
measurements). The average represents our best idea of the actual value. This is the number
used in subsequent calculations. E.g. gravity may vary quite a bit from one location to another.
But this is over a state wide range and so the accepted value is the average value reported, 9.8
m/s2.

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 Experiment 2
Apparatus
(1) Dial Caliper: This is an instrument for measuring the dimensions of objects of a few
inches with a precision of 0.001. The measured dimension is given by the whole
number of inches shown on the lower scale plus the number of hundredths shown on
the dial. The thousandths place can be estimated on the dial.
(2) Beam Balance Scale: This is used to determine the mass of an object. ( NOTE: its
weight is found by then multiplying the mass by the g factor in the appropriate
units.)

Procedure
(1) Familiarize yourself with the equipment: caliper, and mass scale. Check whether
both dials read zero when no object is placed in the caliper or on the scale,
respectively. If not, zero them with the help of your instructor.

(2) Choose three samples of different materials. Measure each dimension of each sample
three times and record the values on your data sheet in a table. Be sure to include:

a. the shape,
b. a labeled sketch of the three samples,
c. the material from which the object is made,
d. its color,
e. the precision to 0.001, and
f. the units of the measurement.

(3) Weigh each sample three times and record the weights to 0.01g in your data table.

A sample table is shown below. Copy it into your data sheet. (SUBSTITUTE
DIAMETER FOR WIDTH AND THICKNESS WHEN APPROPRIATE)

Material Width Thickness

Specimen Length Weight
Sketch and Trial # (inches) (in)
# (inches) (grams*g)
Color (or diameter) (or omit)
1 1

3 COPY TABLE ONTO YOUR

2 etc. DATA SHEET

(4) Familiarize yourself with the requirements of you lab report before you leave the lab.
Make sure you understand how to calculate averages. Also make sure you can
convert from inches to centimeters and inches-cubed (in3) to centimeterscubed
(cm3). NOTE: the unit cc is not used in physics.

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 Experiment 2
Lab Report

Calculation of Density
Calculate the average values of the objects dimensions and weights. Calculate the
average deviations for each measurement. Calculate the volume of each object in inches using
the formulas provided above. Convert the volumes from in 3 to cm3 by using the conversion
factor 2.54 cm/in (dont forget to cube this!). Calculate the density of each object in gm/cm 3
according to formula (1). Put these values in a table, e.g.

(SUBSTITUTE DIAMETER AND/OR LENGTH WHEN APPROPRIATE)

Average Average Average Average
Volume Volume Density
Specimen Length Width Thickness Mass 3 3
(in ) (cm ) (gm/cm3)
(in) (in) (in) (gm)

COPY ONTO YOUR LAB REPORT

Calculation of Error
Find the value of the density for your samples. Identify the material of your sample by
comparing your value to the values below (consider also sample properties such as color and
material). Calculate your percent discrepancy using the known density of the material. If your
measured determination for the density of the sample is meas and the known value is known, then
the percent discrepancy is calculated using the following formula:

meas - known)*100/known

Known Density of Various Metals Material Density (gm/cm3)

Aluminum, Al 2.70
Brass, - 8.4
Copper, Cu 8.96
Iron, Fe 7.87
Lead, Pb 11.4
Plastic, CnHm 1.18
Questions

(1) You are given a cylinder with true dimensions: h = 2.00 in and d = 1.50 in. Suppose you
make a 5% error (either increase of decrease) when measuring h. What percent error
will this cause in calculating its volume? Justify your answer by calculations or by
algebraic reasoning.

(2) Suppose, with the same cylinder, you make a 5% error when measuring d. What percent error
will this cause in calculating its volume? Justify your answer as before.

(3) You are given a sphere of true diameter D = 1.50 in. If you make a 5% error when measuring D,
what percent error will this cause in the volume of the sphere?