Title of Experiment: Determining Density
Name: Eva Zhu
Introduction
Density, what defines the physical property of a substance, is a tool that is used in a lot of real-world
applications.
Density is an important concept in many disciplines, from baking to chemistry to electrical engineering,
as density determines whether an object will float or sink, and enables us to calculate an object's mass if
we know its volume. (Evans, 2015; "Measuring Density," n.d.) Density, by calculating mass/volume,
determines how much mass is in each volume. The higher density, the more mass can be packed in that
volume; conversely, the lower density, the less packed in that volume. (Bruno, n.d.)
Knowing the density of materials/objects, allows us to predict buoyancy, to identify unknown materials,
and to design objects that allow for safe and efficient performance. Density is a ratio of mass/volume,
i.e. d=m/v. (Spring, 2016) To measure the density of liquids, we measure the mass of the liquid and divide
it by the volume of the liquid. To measure the density of solids, we first measure the mass of the solid
using an electronic balance and then measure the volume of the solid using either the dimensions of a
regularly shaped solid, or the water displacement method if the solid is irregular in shape. (Bruno, n.d.;
“Density of Liquids and Solids,” n.d.)
The density of solids and liquids is normally measured using g/cm³ or g/mL. For example, everyday
substances have the following densities: water is 1 g/cm³, nickel is 8.912 g/cm³, and silver is 10.501
g/cm³. (Augustyn, 2025; Density in the Periodic Table of Elements, n.d.) Density values allow us to predict
an object's buoyancy and can act as a “material fingerprint,” since different substances have
characteristic densities. This makes density useful for identifying materials or testing their purity. (Bruno,
n.d.; "What is Density?", 2024)
The main objective of this lab was to determine and find ways to calculate density in both regular and
irregular shaped solids and in liquids. This requires finding their mass and volume and inputting the data
into a table and eventually creating a graph to assess the density measurements. By completing the lab
test we would gain a basic knowledge and understanding of calculating for density, which may be
needed for other investigations planned later in the chemistry unit.
Works Cited:
American Chemical Society. (n.d.). Substances have characteristic properties: Density and sinking &
floating. ACS Middle School Chemistry.
[Link]
PubChem. (n.d.). Element densities — density data table. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
[Link]
Pearson Education. (n.d.). Density – general chemistry. Pearson.
[Link]
density?
LibreTexts. (n.d.). Density of liquids and solids. Chemistry 410: Chemistry for Health Sciences Laboratory
Manual. [Link]
Wet_Lab_Experiments/Chemistry_410%3A_Chemistry_for_Health_Sciences_Laboratory_Manual/
03%3A_Density_of_Liquids_and_Solids/3.01%3A_New_Page?
Georgia Tech Physicsbook. (n.d.). Density. PhysicsBook. [Link]
The Engineering Mindset. (n.d.). Density explained — why density matters in engineering. The
Engineering Mindset. [Link]
Materials
- 3 differently sized wooden blocks (small, medium and large)
- 3 differently sized rubber stoppers (small, medium and large)
- An overflow can
- A ruler
- A pipette
- A graduated cylinder
- An electronic balance
Procedure
Determining density of wood blocks:
1. A wood block was measured with a ruler to find the height, length and width. The volume of the
wooden block was calculated.
2. Wood block was put on the electronic balance to find mass.
3. Both the volume and mass data were recorded in a table.
4. Steps 1 and 3 was performed again with remaining two sizes of wooden blocks.
5. Wooden block mass and volume was graphed and density was found through the slope of the
data points.
Determining density of rubber stoppers:
1. Rubber stopper was put on electronic balance to find out mass, which was then recorded in a
table.
2. Volume data was collected by putting the rubber stopper in a graduated cylinder with pre-
recorded water height (ml) and observing the new increase in water volume.
3. To find the final volume measurement of the stopper, the water volume without the rubber
stopper was subtracted from the volume with the stopper.
4. Data was collected and written in a table.
5. Rubber stoppers that were too large to fit inside the graduated cylinder, (e.g. large sized rubber
stoppers) were put inside an overflow can.
6. The overflow can was filled with water and placed on a flat surface.
7. After water was fully drained from the spout the rubber stopper was put inside, and the
overflowed water was recorded with a graduated cylinder underneath the spout.
8. Overflowed water measurement in graduated cylinder was added to the table.
9. Rubber stopper mass and volume was graphed, and the density was found through the slope of
the data points.
Determining density of liquids:
1. The electronic balance’s “zero” button was pressed with an empty graduated cylinder on top to
cancel out the original weight of the cylinder.
2. A specific amount of water was filled in a graduated cylinder and was put on electronic balance
to calculate mass.
3. The mass information was documented in the table.
4. Measurements from graduated cylinder were read (in ml) and put as volume in the
table.
5. The procedure was performed again from steps 1 to 4 with two more different amounts of
water.
6. Liquid mass and volume were graphed, and the density was found through the slope of the data
points.
Observations
Table:
Wooden Blocks Rubber Stoppers Water
Volume (cm3) Mass (g) Volume Mass (g) Volume Mass (g)
(mL) (mL)
49 cm3 26.47 grams 6.5 ml 8.34 grams 20.5 ml 19.55 grams
Small
138.38 cm3 65.95 grams 10 ml 14.63 grams 55 ml 53.06 grams
Medium
255.78 cm3 136 grams 17 ml 25.67 grams 73 ml 70 grams
Large
Graph: Density estimations of wooden blocks, rubber stoppers and different amounts of water through
collected volume and mass data.
160
140
f(x) = 0.533108097478151 x − 2.61072815947249
120
100
Mass (grams)
Wooden Blocks
80
Linear (Wooden Blocks)
f(x) = 0.962332279592554 x − 0.0987811731647383 Rubber Stoppers
60 Linear (Rubber Stoppers)
Water
40 Linear (Water)
20 f(x) = 1.64918367346939 x − 2.17255102040816
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Volume (cm3
or ml)
Density of Rubber Stoppers: 1.6492 g/cm3
Density of Wooden Blocks: 0.5331 g/cm3
Density of Water: 0.9623 g/mL