Chapter 2: Design and Methodology

The test or research was mainly an experimental research in which the researchers

attempt to maintain control over all factors that may affect the result of an experiment. In doing

this, the researcher attempts to determine or predict what may occur. It is also a quantitative

approach in which a statistical, mathematical or computational techniques is used.

Experimental Procedure:

One of the most important characteristic of any sample of matter is density, other than

physical properties like size and shape therefore at a certain temperature the numerical value of

density is constant. Just like in other procedures, to be able to make the experiment a success

accuracy in the amount of material to be used is needed.

Three trials are needed in this experiment, therefore three pycnometer are also to be used.

Note that a specific pycnometer was used in every trial that means the pycnometer that the

researchers used in the first trial is the same pycnometer that they used for the whole trial one,

same also with the second and third trial. And the other materials to be used are: one piece of

400 mL beaker, a wash bottle, dryer and one piece of 150 C thermometer. The reagents to be

used are the following: hydrochloric acid, distilled water, chloroform, and methanol. Before

starting with the experiment proper, first, we cleaned the pycnometer with hydrochloric acid

followed by rinsing it with distilled water then dry it up by using a hair blower or dryer. In the

first trial, after making sure that there is no single drop of water inside the pycnometer, we

weighed it in the analytical balance. Filled it with distilled water, cover it until it overflows

before weighing it make sure that the sides and tip are dry, use a cotton cloth in wiping the water

through capillary hole because it absorbs water better. Record the weight and measure the
temperature. Pour the distilled water into the sink, then dry it up with a blower. The researchers

computed the weight of the water by taking the difference between the measured weight with

distilled water and weight of the pycnometer alone. For computing the volume of the water use

the formula:

For the second trial, the researchers filled the pycnometer with chloroform and the

procedure used is the same with the previous experiment. After getting the weight and

temperature, discharged the liquid waste in their designated bottle. Rinse the pycnometer with

distilled water followed by hydrochloric acid for cleansing. Lastly, the researchers used methanol

whose density is also unknown, the procedure is the same with the two previous experiment for

computing the weight. And for the density of chloroform and methanol, the formula is:

In cleaning up the apparatus all the waste chloroform and methanol are disposed not in

the sink but in a bottle designated for them. Make sure to follow the laboratory guideline in

handling the excess unknown liquid. And wash the flask with plenty of running water.

To check if the computed density of each liquid (distilled water, chloroform and

methanol) is correct or near to the real value it was compared to the values written in the Perrys

Chemical Engineers Handbook.