Physics Lab 1 Mass & Density PDF

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Phy 116(D001) Lab #1: Mass & Density CUNY College of Staten Island

Lab Objective: The main objective of this experiment was to determine the mass and dimensions of the given objects in order to further calculate its volume and density along with the difference in probable error in measurement.

Introduction: Mass is the quantity of matter no matter its dimensions such as volume or the forces acting upon it. Mass and weight are two different things, weight is the force of gravity acting upon the body with gravitational force ( g = 9.8 m/s^2 ). The mass of a body is considered constant whereas weight depends on the force acting upon it. The standard unit for mass is the kilogram. Volume is a derived quantity. Volume is defined as the amount of space occupied by a body within 3 dimensions, length, width, and height. The standard unit for this is cubic meters per kilogram. Density is determined by mass over volume. ( D = M/V ) Here in the experiment volume is measured in both a scientific method and a convenient method. This is

by measuring the dimensions using a vernier caliper and by using the water displacement method.

Procedure: Four different objects were given the aluminum bar, copper cylinder, and Feldspar mineral. The masses were determined by weighing them using an electronic scale and writing down the values. After that, the dimensions of the objects including length, height, and width (diameter), was measured precisely using a Vernier caliper. Then to measure the volume of the objects by the water displacement method, the graduated cylinder was taken and filled halfway with water and the initial level of water was recorded. The aluminium bar was dropped and the volume displaced by the bar was calculated by using the difference of the final level of water versus the initial level. This was repeated three more times each for the copper cylinder, the aluminium cylinder, and the feldspar mineral. Lastly, the volume, density, and % difference in density was calculated using the data obtained.

Discussion: Using the data table we see that volume, density, and the % difference in density is calculated for the 4 objects. Different volumes were obtained for the same object when different measurement types were used. The highest error in percentage difference was observed in copper cylinder where it was 50.5%, aluminium at 48.2%, and 43.3% for the feldspar. The % error is greater when the measurement was calculated and measured with a

vernier caliper. This indicates an inaccuracy in this method of measurement which may not always be used properly. The error is mostly due to the improper use of the graduated cylinder as the objects were spilling out and caused an inaccuracy in the volume.

Conclusion: Here in this experiment we see a higher affinity for accuracy by using the water displacement method because the vernier caliper wasn’t working well.

References: Brainard, Jean. “Matter, Mass, and Volume.” CK , CK-12 Foundation, 7 July 2019, https://www.ck12.org/chemistry/matter-mass-and-volume/lesson/Matter-Mass-and-Volume-M S-PS/. Boundless. “Boundless Chemistry.” Lumen , https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/units-of-measurement/....