Title: Determining the Thickness of Aluminum Foil (Lab Guidelines: 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12)
Purpose: To use measurements, tabulated data, and calculations to determine the thickness of aluminum foil.
Materials / Equipment: two brands of foil, ruler, balance, scissors, periodic table
Procedure: Write your own procedure. Use a numbered list of the steps which you will use in the lab. Include
all of the materials used and underline each as you mention them in your procedure.
Perform three trials! You need not describe your calculations here.
Data: Prepare an appropriate data table, which includes space for both raw and derived data.
Graph: Plot Mass vs. Area using Logger Pro. Use solid graphing techniques, being careful to follow all the
guidelines for a good graph. Make sure to use a linear fit.
Calculations: How thick is your foil? For each necessary calculation, write a one-phrase description of what
you are calculating. Write the general formula for any equation you use (e.g. Area = L x W). Show your work
clearly and neatly, including all units! Circle your answers! (Note: You must show the work clearly for each
trial, and then calculate the average of the 3 trials to obtain your final answer.)
Express this thickness in cm, mm, and m. Show “multiply by one” work for the conversions to mm and m.
(Yes, this is a bit tedious, but do it anyway!)
Now, using the slope of your line (from your graph) as a tool, determine the thickness of your foil. (Hint: this
answer better be pretty darn close to the answer obtained solely from calculations.)
Express the thickness in cm, mm, and m. Show “multiply by one” work for the conversions to mm and m.
(Yes, this is a bit tedious, but do it anyway!)
Question: Use this data to determine the thickness of a sample of gold foil. Report your answer in m.
Mass = 27.05 grams
Length = 21.73 cm
Width = 20.11 cm
Error Analysis: Once given the actual thickness of your foil, calculate percent error for both of your thickness
values. Discuss possible errors and the impact they may have had on the results. Also, comment on important
considerations, such as sample size and shape (along with any others you can think of), and the impact they
might have on one’s results.
Conclusion: What were you able to conclude? What did you learn? How did you accomplish the purpose of
this lab? What equations did you use? Write a complete summary and explanation of the mathematical
operations necessary to determine the thickness of your foil. Comment on the significance of the graph. What
does the slope of the line tell you? What is the relationship between mass and area? Don’t forget to report your
results!
Here is a great guide for writing your conclusion:
1) Restate the purpose
2) Summarize the procedure
3) Discuss any important principles / equations used
4) Explain the graphs and/or math
5) Report your results
Also, please include any other interesting information you would like to add, such as whether
or not you think it is worth the extra money to buy more expensive aluminum foil.