Name ___________________________________

Name ___________________________________
Date _______________ Lab Period _____
Date _______________ Lab Period _____
Lab Day _____
Lab Day _____

Density of Liquids
DATA SHEET
DATA TABLE: Please fill out this table as completely as possible.

Mass of Mass of Mass

Liquid Graduated Cylinder of Volume Density
Cylinder and Liquid Liquid (ml) (g/ml)
(grams) (grams) (grams)

Alcohol

Water

Oil

In the diagram at the right,

draw and label how the
liquids would settle if all
three were poured into the
same graduated cylinder. You
may want to read the
introduction to figure out
this one.
QUESTIONS: For questions # 1 – 4, use complete sentences.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. A B C D

6. A B C D

7. A B C D

8. A B C D

9. A B C D

10. A B C D
LAB #3 Density of Liquids
INTRODUCTION: Please read this as it contains information required to perform the
lab and material that may be tested.

Density is a measure of how much matter exits within a given volume or in other words, how
much stuff is in a certain space. Mathematically, density can be described as the quotient of
mass (how much stuff) and volume (certain space). For those not mathematically inclined,
that would look like this:

Mass
Density = ------------
Volume

Material that is more dense than water sinks. Material that is less dense than water floats.
Material that is about the same density would hover somewhere just below the water's
surface. Heavy gases sink low in the atmosphere while lighter gases like helium rise. Dense
liquids sink to the bottom like vinegar while less dense liquids like oil rise to the top. Density
is a very important concept that we will use throughout the school year. In this lab you will
measure the density of various liquids.

LABORATORY PROCEDURES: Please follow these directions and any direction

provided by the instructor. Follow laboratory safety rules at all times.

Measure the mass of the graduated cylinder that is provided using a triple beam balance.
Measure the mass to the nearest tenth of a gram. If it comes out to an exact number, say
76 grams, then you must record your answer as 76.0 grams. Record this value in the data
table. The mass of the graduated cylinder will be equal for each liquid.

Fill the graduated cylinder with 10 milliliters of rubbing alcohol. Be as exact as possible.
Use eye-droppers as necessary.

Determine the mass of the graduated cylinder with 10 milliliters of rubbing alcohol in it.
Measure the mass to the nearest tenth of a gram. Record this answer in the data table.

Subtract the mass of the graduated cylinder from that of the cylinder and alcohol to determine
the mass of the liquid only. Your answer for the mass should be written to the nearest tenth
of a gram. Record this in your data table.
Use the density equation to determine the density of the rubbing alcohol.

Mass
Density = ------------
Volume

For mass, use the mass of the liquid. For volume, use 10 milliliters, which you should have
measured out carefully. Your answer should be expressed to the nearest hundreth of a
gram per milliliter (g/ml).

Repeat these procedures with water instead of alcohol and record your answers in the data
table. All procedures should be completed with the same degree of accuracy.

QUESTIONS: ANSWER QUESTIONS #1 – 4 IN COMPLETE SENTENCES!

1. What happens to cooking oil when it is poured into water? Why?

2. What happens to alcohol when it is poured into water? Why?

3. What happens to alcohol when it is poured into cooking oil? Why?

4. If cold water is found at the bottom of the ocean, what can be said about the
temperature of water and its density?
For questions #5 - 10, circle the best answer.

5. As shown in the diagram below, an empty 1,000 milliliter container has a mass of
250.0 grams. When filled with a liquid, the container and the liquid have a combined
mass of 1300 grams.

What is the density of the liquid?

A) 0.95 g/ml B) 1.05 g/ml C) 1.30 g/ml D) 1.00 g/ml

6. The diagram below represents two differently shaped blocks of ice floating in water.
Which diagram most accurately shows the blocks of ice as they would actually float in
water?

7. An empty 250-milliliter beaker has a mass of 60 grams. When 100 milliliters of oil is
added to the beaker, the total mass is 140 grams. The density of the oil is
approximately:

A) 1.7 g/ml B) 1.4 g/ml C) 0.6 g/ml D) 0.8 g/ml

8. If a beaker contains 100 ml liquid with a density of 1.3 g/ml, what is the mass of the
liquid?

A) 7.7 g B) 13 g C) 100 g D) 130 g

9. If a beaker has a mass of 50 grams and the beaker and a liquid has a mass of 125 g,
what volume of liquid is in the beaker if the liquid’s density is 1.5 g/ml?

A) 0.02 ml B) 33.3 ml C) 50 ml D) 83.3 ml

10.If a beaker contains 100 ml of a liquid that has a density of 2.0 g/ml, what is the density of
the liquid in the beaker if half of the liquid is poured out?

A) 1.0 g/ml B) 2.0 g/ml C) 4.0 g/ml D) 50 g/ml