Exercise 01
Density and Volume of Solids and Liquids
I. Introduction
Density and volume are fundamental physical properties that are widely used in
chemistry to identify substances, prepare solutions, and characterize materials. Volume refers to
the amount of space occupied by a substance, while density is defined as the mass per unit
volume. Accurate measurement of these properties requires the proper selection and correct use
of laboratory measuring devices such as graduated cylinders, pipettes, burettes, volumetric flasks,
and balances. The choice of instrument depends on the type of material being measured and the
level of precision required. Regular solids have measurable dimensions that allow volume to be
calculated geometrically, whereas the volume of irregular solids is commonly determined using the
water displacement method. Liquids, on the other hand, are measured using calibrated glassware.
II. Objectives
At the end of this exercise, the students must be able to:
a. Determine the appropriate measuring device for a specific quantity;
b. Properly use the different measuring devices in the laboratory;
c. Define and determine density and volume; and
d. Determine volumes and densities of liquids and regular and/or irregular solids
III. Methods
Part 1. Determination of volume and density of liquids
1.1. Using a 25-ml graduated cylinder
• Pre-weigh an empty beaker in an analytical balance. (Use gloves when handling the
glassware)
• Using a 25-mL graduated cylinder, measure approximately 5.00 mL of water. Record the
exact amount of water in the graduated cylinder.
• Transfer the water into the pre-weighed beaker and record the mass.
• Calculate the mass and density of matter.
• Repeat the method twice.
• Record the temperature of water.
1.2. Using a 10-ml pipette
• Pre-weigh an empty beaker in an analytical balance. (Use gloves when handling the
glassware)
• Using a 10-mL pipette, transfer approximately 5.00 mL of water. Record the exact amount
of water in the graduated cylinder.
• Transfer the water into the pre-weighed beaker and record the mass.
• Calculate the mass and density of matter.
• Repeat the method twice.
• Record the temperature of water.
1.3. Using a 50-mL burette
• Pre-weigh an empty beaker in an analytical balance. (Use gloves when handling the
glassware)
• Using a 50-mL pipette, dispense approximately 5.00 mL of water into the pre-weighed
beaker. Record the initial and final volume of water.
• Calculate the mass and density of matter.
• Repeat the method twice.
• Record the temperature of water.
Part 2. Determination of volume and density of regular solids
• Using a ruler, measure the length, width, and height of the regular solid. Repeat twice.
• Using an analytical balance, measure the mass of the regular solid. Repeat twice.
• Calculate the volume and density of the regular solid.
•
Part 3. Determination of volume and density of irregular solids
• Using an analytical balance, measure the mass of the irregular solid. Repeat twice.
• Fill the graduated cylinder at least half its height.
• Measure the initial volume of water.
• Drop the irregular solid into the graduated cylinder carefully. Make sure the solid in
submerged.
• Measure the final volume of the water after dropping the solid.
• Calculate the volume and density of the regular solid.
Exercise 01 Date Performed:_______________
Determination of Density and Volume Date Submitted:_______________
Group Number: _________________
Group Members:
Table 1.1. Volume (mL) and density (g/mL) of water using graduated cylinder.
Parameter/Quantity Measurement
Mass of empty beaker, g
Trial 1
Volume of Water, mL Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Beaker + Water, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Water, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Trial 2
Density of Water, g/mL
Trial 3
Average
Temperature of Water, oC
Temperature of Water, K
Table 1.2. Volume (mL) and density (g/mL) of water using 10-mL pipette.
Parameter/Quantity Measurement
Mass of empty beaker, g
Trial 1
Volume of Water, mL Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Beaker + Water, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Water, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Trial 2
Density of Water, g/mL
Trial 3
Average
Temperature of Water, oC
Temperature of Water, K
Table 1.3. Volume (mL) and density (g/mL) of water using 50-mL burette.
Parameter/Quantity Measurement
Mass of empty beaker, g
Trial 1 Vi = Vf=
Volume of Water, mL Trial 2 Vi = Vf =
Trial 3 Vi = Vf =
Trial 1
Mass of Beaker + Water, g
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Water, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Trial 2
Density of Water, g/mL
Trial 3
Average
Temperature of Water, oC
Temperature of Water, K
Table 1.4. Volume (mL) and density (g/mL) of a regular solid.
Parameter/Quantity Measurement
Mass of empty beaker, g
Trial 1
Length of Solid, cm Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Height of Solid, cm Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Width of Solid, cm Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Volume of Solid, cm3 Trial 2
Trial 3
Average Volume of solid, cm3
Average Volume of Solid, mL
Trial 1
Mass of Beaker + Solid, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Solid, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Average Mass of solid, g
Average Density of Solid, g/cm3
Table 1.5. Volume (mL) and density (g/mL) of an irregular solid.
Parameter/Quantity Measurement
Mass of empty beaker, g
Trial 1
Mass of Beaker + Solid, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 1
Mass of Solid, g Trial 2
Trial 3
Average Mass of solid, g
Initial volume of Water in Graduated Cylinder, mL
Final Volume of Water in Graduated Cylinder, mL
Volume of the solid, mL
Density of the solid, g/mL