Density of Liquids Lab
INTRODUCTION
The density of a substance is a measure of how much matter is in a
certain volume of the substance. In this experiment you must determine
the density of several substances.
QUESTIONS
Do all liquids have the same density?
If liquids have different densities, which liquids are most dense?
Can we estimate density by looking at the liquid?
CAUTION!! Wear your goggles at all times when you are working with the liquids
or when you are near anyone else who is working with the liquids. FAILURE TO
WEAR SAFETY EQUIPMENT WHEN REQUIRED MAY RESULT IN
EXPULSION FROM CLASS!
DANGER! Some of these liquids are poisonous and harmful to your eyes! BE
CAREFUL!
PROCEDURE:
1. Put on your goggles.
2. Calibrate the balance.
3. Rinse and dry graduated cylinder.
ATTENTION!! Don't forget to write the proper units after every
number that you record.
4. Find the mass of the empty graduated cylinder and record it.
5. Rinse out a graduated cylinder and shake out the excess water.
6. In a graduated cylinder, obtain one of the following….

exactly 45 ml of green liquid

exactly 20 ml of yellow liquid

exactly 30 ml of red liquid

exactly 15 ml of blue liquid
7. Using the pipette, place the correct liquid in the graduated cylinder.
8. Find the mass of the graduated cylinder with the liquid in it and
record it.
9. Determine the mass of the liquid by subtracting the mass of the
graduated cylinder (step 4) from the mass of the beaker + liquid (step 7).
10. Rinse and dry the graduated cylinder and repeat steps 2 through 8
until you have the measurements for all four of your assigned liquids.
11. Calculate the density of the liquids.
Density of Liquids Lab
Data Sheet
CAUTION!! DO NOT TASTE ANYTHING IN THIS ROOM!
DO NOT PLACE EQUIPMENT IN YOUR MOUTH, EARS, NOSE,
ETC.!
DO NOT THROW, SQUIRT, OR OTHERWISE MISUSE LAB
MATERIALS OR EQUIPMENT!
MASS
CALCULATIONS
Blue Liquid
Volume of liquid
DENSITY
CALCULATIONS
(Mass ÷ Volume)
15 mL
Mass of GC and
liquid together
MASS OF
LIQUID =
Mass of empty GC
DENSITY =
MASS
CALCULATIONS
Yellow Liquid
Volume of liquid
DENSITY
CALCULATIONS
20 mL
Mass of GC and
liquid together
MASS OF
LIQUID =
Mass of empty GC
Which of the liquids on the chart is the blue liquid?
Explain your choice.
Which of the liquids on the chart is the yellow liquid?
Explain your choice.
DENSITY =
(Mass ÷ Volume)
MASS
CALCULATIONS
Red Liquid
Volume of liquid
DENSITY
CALCULATIONS
(Mass ÷
Volume)
30
mL
Mass of GC and
liquid together
MASS OF LIQUID
=
Mass of empty GC
DENSITY =
MASS
CALCULATIONS
Green Liquid
Volume of liquid
DENSITY
CALCULATIONS
45
mL
Mass of GC and
liquid together
MASS OF LIQUID
=
Mass of empty GC
Which of the liquids on the chart is the red liquid?
Explain your choice.
Which of the liquids on the chart is the green liquid?
Explain your choice.
DENSITY =
(Mass ÷
Volume)