Lab: Density of Zinc
Purpose: To determine the density of zinc and display your information graphically.
Materials:
4 samples of Zinc
10 mL / 25 mL
Electronic
Tap water
Grad. Cylinder
Balance
Procedure:
1. Find the mass of a piece of zinc by placing a sample on a zeroed out balance. Record in Table 1.
2. Use the water displacement method to find the volume of a piece of zinc.
a. Fill the graduated cylinder with some water (record in Table 1 as Initial Volume).
b. Place the zinc into the graduated cylinder (tilt the cylinder 45˚ and slide the solid into the cylinder to
avoid splashing and breakage).
c. Record the level of water after the solid has been added in Table 1 as the Final Volume.
d. Determine the volume of the sample of zinc (Final volume of water – Initial volume of water) and
record in Table 1. Include UNITS with EVERY measurement!
Data:
Table 1: Mass and Volume Measurements
Zn
Mass of
Initial volume of
Final volume of
Volume of Zn (cm3)
Zn (g)
(F- I)
Sample
Water (mL
Water (w/Zn) (mL)
(I)
(F)
* 1mL = 1 cm3
1
2
3
4
Using your data from above, calculate the density of each sample and then calculate the average density of
Zinc using the formula below. Then, determine your % error using the AVERAGE DENSITY calculated in
Table 2. The actual density for zinc is 7.14 g/cm3.
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
Table 2: Densities
Zn Sample
Density*
(g/cm3)
1
2
3
AVERAGE
Calculations:
% Error = │Experimental - Actual│ x 100
Actual
% Error =
* Show ALL of your work for the calculations in Table 2 and use the average density for % Error.
Create a graph (on the graph paper included) of mass vs. volume for EACH SAMPLE of zinc.
a. Place MASS on the X-AXIS and VOLUME on the Y-AXIS.
b. Be sure to include at TITLE, UNITS and LABELS on your graph.
c. Draw a line of best fit through your data points that extends beyond your last sample.
d. Include a point for the fifth sample from question 1 below.
Analysis Questions:
1. Plot a 5th point on your graph corresponding to a piece of zinc that would have a mass of 15.00 g.
According to the graph, what would the volume be?
2. Now calculate the volume of water that would be displaced by a sample of zinc with a mass of 15.00 g.
How does this number compare with that extrapolated from the graph?