Applied Chemistry
Density and Relationships
Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the densities of unknown metals.
Background:
Have you ever noticed that some pipes tend to weigh a lot more than others, even if they are smaller? This aspect is
strongly related to a relationship expressed by the physical property called density. Density is defined as the ratio of a
substance’s mass to the volume it occupies. The formula for density is as follows:
In this experiment, you will measure the mass and volume of two unknown metals. You will then use your data to explore
the relationship between the mass and volume of the metals to determine their respective densities.
Procedure:
As you perform this experiment, record your data in the data table on the next page.
1.
Determine the mass of the two different unknown metal samples to the nearest 0.1 gram using the triple beam
balance. Record the masses of the metal samples into the data table on the next page.
2.
Find the volume of each metal sample by water displacement. To do this, fill one of the provided graduated
cylinders with 75 mL of water. Then, carefully slide one of the metal samples down the inside of the graduated
cylinder. Make sure the metal sample is completely submerged in the water. Measure how high, in mL, the water
level rose and record the measurement in the data table. This is the volume of the piece of metal. Do one metal in
at a time.
3.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 using the other metal sample. Dry all samples and then return them to their respective
places.
4.
Graph mass on the vertical axis of the graph paper and volume on the horizontal axis. The data points for both
metals need to go on the same graph, therefore it may be a good idea to use different colored pens. For each
experimental set of data points draw the best fit line. If you do not know what a best fit line is, or looks like, please
ask Ms. Duba to help you.
Calculations:
Table of Reagents and Products:
Table of Metals
Densities of Common Metals
Density
Metal
(g/mL)
Aluminum
Brass
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Nickel
Platinum
Silver
Stainless steel
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Vanadium
Zinc
2.699
8.44
7.19
8.90
8.96
19.32
7.87
11.34
8.88
21.4
10.491
7.75
7.29
4.5
19.3
6.11
7.1
Data Tables:
Unknown Metal 1- (the light colored one)
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Density (g/mL)
Average Density of all four
metals goes 
Unknown Metal 2- (the dark colored one)
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Density (g/mL)
Average Density of all four
metals goes 
Identity of Unknown Metal 1:_______________________________________________
Identity of Unknown Metal 2:_______________________________________________
Data Analysis/Conclusions
Build the graph for each metal using this graph paper. You will have two lines on this graph, one for each
unknown metal.
Discussion/Conclusions:
1. Looking at the graph, write a qualitative statement that expresses the relationship between mass and volume.
2. Looking at your graph, what does this experiment demonstrate about the density of a metal? What does it
demonstrate about the densities of different metals?
3.
Can you identify a metal if you know its density? Explain your answer.
4.
Do you think that determining the volumes of your metal samples by measuring their dimensions and calculating
would be more or less accurate than determining these volumes by water displacement? Explain. Would
measuring the dimensions of a solid always be possible? Explain.
5.
What are some possible sources of error in your experiment?