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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
Finding the Density of Plasticine in a Graphical Method
Purpose:

This lab is done to find the density of plasticine using the relationship between diameter and
mass.

Introduction:

Density expresses a substance’s mass per unit of volume. It is expressed by its formula:

m
ρ=
v

In this lab, the density of plasticine will be investigated. This lab focuses on processing data,
graphing skills, and working with uncertainties.

Research Question:

How is diameter dependent on the mass of a sphere? How can density be found using this
information?

Variables:

Table 4.1 Independent Variable

Independent Variable Change and Measurement

Mass Mass will be dependent on the eight sizes of

spheres. Mass will be measured using a triple
beam balance.

Table 4.2 Dependent Variable

Dependent Variable Method for Measurement

Diameter Diameter will be measured to one-tenth of a

millimetre by using a vernier caliper.
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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
Table 4.3 Controlled Variable
Controlled Variable Method for Control

Plasticine The type of plasticine used is consistent

throughout the spheres to prevent variations in
density.

Table 4.4 Uncontrolled Variables

Uncontrolled Variable Impact on Investigation

Temperature, humidity, and pressure of room Change in these values can impact the size of
plasticine spheres and therefore density.

Method and Apparatus:

Apparatus:
● 0.25kg of plasticine
● Vernier calliper
● Triple beam balance
● Paper towel
● Graphing software

1 5

2 6

3 7

4 8

Figure 5.1 Numbered plasticine Figure 5.2 Vernier Caliper

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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
Method:
1. Divide the plasticine into 8 pieces of varied size and label each with a number for data
collection.
2. Roll the eight pieces of plasticine into spheres (Figure 5.1) either on a table or in between
one’s hands. Use paper towels to clean any grease off the surface.
3. Find the mass of each sphere using the triple beam balance (Figure 5.3). Record data.
4. Measure the diameter of each sphere using a vernier calliper (Figure 5.2). Repeat for five
trials. Record data. Be sure to rotate the sphere for each measurement to ensure that the sphere’s
shape is not compromised.

Sketch:

Sphere
Figure 5.3

Spher Vernier

Triple Beam

Figure 6.1 Sphere 1 on Triple Beam Balance

Figure 6.2 Sphere 1 in Vernier
Raw Data:
Mass, m,
Sphere (m ± 0.3)g Diameter, d, (d ± 0.09)cm
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5
1 1.1 0.96 1.02 1.01 0.98 0.94
2 3.0 1.32 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43
3 5.4 1.74 1.73 1.74 1.78 1.74
4 9.1 2.04 2.07 2.24 2.17 2.14
5 18.4 2.66 2.63 2.64 2.65 2.60
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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
6 34.4 3.24 3.29 3.32 3.35 3.32
7 56.4 3.74 3.91 3.83 3.85 3.96
8 75.2 4.31 4.32 4.31 4.22 4.30
The uncertainty for mass was determined by considering the inaccuracy of the triangle
measuring tip on the balance, potential calibration errors, and approximation of at what point the
balance mark was centred. The uncertainty for diameter was determined by ambiguous readings
and inadequate time for data collection resulting in rushed measurements.

Processing of Raw Data:

Absolute Relative Absolute Relative
3 3 3
Mass, m, dmean d d d
mean Uncertainty, Uncertainty, Uncertainty, Uncertainty,
max min
3 3 3
Sphere (m±0.3)g (cm) (cm ) (cm ) (cm ) Δd (cm) Δd Δd3 (cm3) Δd3
1 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.1 0.8 0.1 4% 0.1 12%
2 3.0 1.4 2.8 2.9 2.3 0.1 4% 0.3 11%
3 5.4 1.7 5.3 5.6 5.2 0.1 1% 0.2 4%
4 9.1 2.1 9.7 11.2 8.5 0.1 5% 1 14%
5 18.4 2.6 18.3 18.8 17.6 0.1 1% 0.6 3%
6 34.4 3.3 36.1 37.6 34.0 0.1 2% 2 5%
7 56.4 3.9 57.4 62.1 52.3 0.2 6% 5 9%
8 75.2 4.3 79.1 80.6 75.2 0.1 1% 3 3%

Sample Calculations:

1. dmean
d 1+ d 2+d 3+d 4 +d 5
dmean=
5
0.96+1.02+1.01+0.98+ 0.94
dmean=
5
dmean= 0.98
dmean= 1.0 cm

2. dmean3
dmean3= (dmean)3
dmean3= (0.982)3
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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
dmean3=0.947
dmean3=0.9 cm3

3. dmax3
dmax3=(dmax)3
dmax3=(1.02)3
dmax3=1.06
dmax3=1.1 cm3

4. dmin3
dmin3=(dmin)3
dmin3=(0.94)3
dmin3=0.83
dmin3.=0.8 cm3

5. Absolute Uncertainty (Δd)

dmax−dmin
Δd=
2
1.02−0.94
Δd=
2
Δd= 0.04
Δd= 0.1

6. Relative Uncertainty (Δd)

Δd
Δd= ×100
dmean
0.04
Δd= ×100
1.0
Δd=0.04×100
Δd= 4%
7. Absolute Uncertainty (Δd3)
3 3
dma x −dmi n
Δd3=
2
1.06−0.83
Δd3=
2
3
Δd =0.115
Δd3= 0.1
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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
8. Relative Uncertainty (Δd3)
3
Δd
Δd3= 3 ×100
dmea n
0.115
Δd3= ×100
0.94
Δd3=0.12 ×100
Δd3= 12%

Results:

Qualitative Observations:
As the mass of the spheres increased, so did the diameter. Mass increased at a faster rate than
diameter.

Quantitative Observations:
Through graphing, it was discovered that there is a proportional relationship between mass and
diameter cubed.

Figure 9.1 Mass vs Diameter

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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021

Axes were switched to allow the slope to be mass divided by diameter for easier density
calculation. Uncertainty used for mass is ±0.3g. Uncertainty used for diameter is ±0.2cm which
is the largest absolute uncertainty (sphere 7).

Figure 9.2 Mass vs Diameter Cubed

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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021

This graph was linearized by cubing diameter, which means that mass is proportional to diameter
cubed. Axes were switched to allow the slope to be mass divided by diameter cubed for easier
density calculation (step 5 of “Deriving and solving for density”). Uncertainty used for mass is
±0.3g. Uncertainty used for diameter is 14% which is the largest percentage uncertainty (sphere
4).

Deriving and solving for density:

m
ρ=
v
m
ρ= 3
4/3 π r
3m
ρ= 3
4 π (1/8 d ❑ )
24 m
ρ= 3
4πd
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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
6m
ρ= 3
πd
6
ρ= × 0.956
π
−3
ρ=1.8 gc m

Table 9.1 Uncertainty of Density

Best Fit Line Density based on Density based on Absolute Relative
Slope (gcm-3) Maximum Minimum Uncertainty, Δ ρ Uncertainty, Δ ρ
Steepness Slope Steepness Slope (gcm-3)
(gcm-3) (gcm-3)

1.8 2.1 1.6 0.3 13%

Sample calculations for density, absolute uncertainty, and relative uncertainty are shown in
“Deriving and solving for density”, and equations 5 and 6 in “Processing of Raw Data”
respectively.

The density of plasticine is (1.8±0.3) gcm-3 or 1.8 gcm-3 ± 17%.

Interpretation of Results and Conclusion:

The density of plasticine was discovered to be (1.8±0.3) gcm-3. Density can be found using the
equation:
6m
ρ= 3
πd

This experiment shows diameter cubed is proportional to mass. This was confirmed by the result
of a linear graph when diameter cubed was plotted against mass. By rearranging the derived
density equation, the relationship between diameter and mass was determined to be:

3 6m
d=
πρ

As observed, mass increases at a faster rate than diameter. This is because mass is proportional to
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volume while diameter is proportional to surface area. In the volume formula, V= π r 3, the
3
2
radius is cubed. In the surface area formula, A=4 π r , the radius is squared. This results in
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Hillary Andru
IB Physics HL 11
Block D
October 12, 2021
volume increasing at a faster rate than surface area, and therefore mass increasing at a faster rate
than diameter.

Error Discussion, Evaluating Procedure, and Modifying Procedures:

The linearized best fit line does not intersect the origin, meaning that systematic error was
present in this investigation.

Table 11.1 Error

Error Type of Error Impact on Investigation Mitigation of Error

Triple beam balance Systematic Mass values skewed in one Properly recalibrate
not properly direction. balance between
calibrated every trial.

Deformation of Systematic Diameter values less than Increased caution

spheres from true value. when measuring
measuring diameter of spheres.

Improper spheres Random Diameter values skewed in Conduct more

both directions. measurement trials.