Density of Solids

Density of Solids

  • Submitted By: asgarn
  • Date Submitted: 03/06/2009 1:32 PM
  • Category: Science
  • Words: 887
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 521

Lab #2-Density of Solids

An experiment always starts with a question. The question that started this experiment was “Does the size or shape of an object affect its density?”

This lab will be talking about the density of five objects. The objects are a rectangle, a cylinder, cube#1, cube#2, and a sphere. Density is the amount of space occupied by an object. It is one of the characteristics by which a substance can be identified. It is expressed by the equation D = Mass/ Volume. Density is a derived property. Derived property means a formula made by any combination of the basic properties. For this lab, density will be measured in grams per cubic centimeters.

Mass is the amount of matter an object has. Mass is one of the basic properties along with length, time, and temperature. Mass is measured using a balance. It is measured by comparing the unknown mass with that of an object with known mass. For this lab, mass will be measured in grams. Mass works with volume to give us density.

Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object. Volume is also a derived property. This is because the formula for volume is (length) (width) (height). Volume uses length in its formula which is a basic property. The volume for a cylinder is r h. The volume formula for a sphere is . For this lab, volume will be measured in cubic centimeters.

Most of the objects we are working with in this lab are made from aluminum. Aluminum has an accepted density. In this lab we are told to find the density of all the five objects and compare it to the accepted value of the density of aluminum. The accepted density value of aluminum is 2.70 g/cm . Comparing the accepted value of aluminum to the measured value will give us percent deviation. The formula for percent deviation is
=   (your result - accepted value)  * 100 %
                                 accepted value

The materials used in this...

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