2007
Alabama Science in Motion
Density of Solids
EQUIPMENT
Discovering Density Kit
Digital Balance
Vernier Calipers
Computer with Excel
Printer
PURPOSE
The purpose of this activity is to introduce concepts of measurement ranging from significant
figures to graphical treatment of data. Students will learn measurement techniques from hands-on
experience by measuring the geometrical parameters of various objects as well as each object’s
mass. Students will describe mathematically the relationship that exists between mass and
volume.
PROCEDURE:
1. Turn on the Computer and open Excel.(will we bother with template that do volume for them
or create the columns in the order we want or just a blank page?). For example…From the
ASIM folder, open the file “den.rec.solid.”
2. Enter your measurements into the table. Students are to measure the geometric parameters of
length, width and height for each rectangular object provided by the instructor. All geometric
perimeters will be measured using a Vernier caliper. (See Figure 1 on next page)
3. In addition to entering data in Excel, record this data on your paper Student Data Sheet.
4. Measure the mass of each object using a digital balance and enter the data into the
corresponding column in the data table in Excel and on your Data Sheet.
5. Once your data is entered, use your data to complete the volume calculation for each solid.
You can use Excel to do this calculation for you or use your calculator.
6. Create a Scatter Plot of Mass vs Volume for the Rectangular Solids. For help with graphing
in Excel, ask your instructor.
7. Make sure you add a curve fit to you data and show the equation on the graph. Again, see the
instructor for help with Excel.
8. If a printer is available, print your graph.
9. Repeat the above steps for the spherical solids and then again for the cylindrical solids.
Density of Solids
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2007
Alabama Science in Motion
Name: __________________________________________
Period ______
Partner’s Name:
Date:
Density of Solids
DATA TABLE
Rectangular Solid Data
Mass
Length
Width
Height
Diameter
Cylinder Data
Mass
Sphere Data
Mass
2
Diameter
Height
2007
Alabama Science in Motion
ANALYZING THE DATA
In the space provided below students should record the statistics presented in the graph and
write an equation for the best-fit line from the statistics.
SOLIDS:
Rectangular
Cylindrical
Spherical
Slope
______________
______________
______________
Y-intercept
______________
______________
______________
Equation for the best-fit line
______________
______________
______________
Numerical relationship of
mass to volume
______________
______________
______________
(This is the experimental value when calculating percentage error. Ask teacher for values)
Percentage Error
______________
______________
______________
2. In the space provided below calculate your percentage error for each geometric solid and
record results above. Your instructor has the accepted values for each geometric solid.
Percentage error = accepted value – experimental value  x 100
accepted value
Rectangular Solid
Cylinder
Sphere
Questions:
Density of Solids
3 of 4
2007
4
Alabama Science in Motion
1.
What physical quantity of matter does the slope of the line represent?
2.
How might this information be used to identify a solid substance?
3.
Is this quantity an extensive or intensive property? Explain.