Baldemiro Delvalle

CHEM 24300
Instructor: Min Ting Liu

Statistical Analysis of pennies

Introduction.
In this experiment, the class will weigh pennies from before and after the
year 1982. The data will be analyzed to answer the questions from the lab manual.

Experimental methods:
Each student received two sets of pennies; one set from a specific year
(2010) and another set labeled mixed which ranged from pre 1982 to post 1982.
The mass of both sets was determined. First the density of water was determined
based on the lab temperature (0.9974g/ml). The water displacement method was
used to determine the density. The mass of the empty cylinder was recorded. Then
the mass of the cylinder with water (100ml) was determined and the mass of the
cylinder with pennies alone was also recorded. Finally the mass of cylinder, water
and pennies both pre and post were recorded. These values were used to determine
the volume and density of pennies.

Experimental materials
1. Analytical Balance, reading to +/-.0001 g
2. 100ml graduated cylinder
3. 10 pennies of mix year, 5 of pre-1982 and the other 5 of post-1982
4. 10 pennies of the year 2010.
5. No reagents
6. None hazardous experiment

Discussion
Based on the data, one can distinguish a pre-1982 penny from a
post-1982 penny by comparing their masses. From the data, it is
evident that the pre-1982 pennies have larger masses than those of
post-1982, because the pre-1982 pennies have larger masses than the ones
from post-1982, the zinc metal is denser than the copper metal. The
calculated total mass (g) of the Pre-1982 pennies is 12.3606 g
while the calculated total mass (g) of the Post-1982 pennies is
10.0021g; therefore, the zinc metal is denser than the copper since
the pre-1982 pennies were made from zinc.
 Mass (g) vs Year 2010
2.53
y = -0.0009x + 2.5031
2.52 R = 0.0637
Mass (g)

2.51
2.5 mass (g)
2.49 Linear (mass (g))
2.48
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Year 2010

Part A
1.

Year Mass
2010 2.4951
2010 2.4943
2010 2.5028
2010 2.4987
2010 2.5213
2010 2.5058
2010 2.4939
2010 2.4872
2010 2.5069
2010 2.4854
 Mass vs mixed
3.5
3
2.5 y = -0.0214x + 45.255
R = 0.5907
Axis Title

2
1.5 Mass
1 Linear (Mass)

0.5
0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Year

Year Mass
1972 3.107
1979 3.0851
1981 3.115
1982 3.0533
1983 2.5242
1990 2.465
1991 2.514
1996 2.483
2004 2.5073
2005 2.5382

2. Judging from the data the mass of the pennies clearly decrease as they circulate.

3. A reason for the decrease in the mass of pennies may be due to a change in
production. The fact that the pennys mass decreased can also indicative of a more
efficient use of materials. Another hypothesis can be that something is causing the
pennies to be to reduce and thus making them weighs slightly less. A way to test this
would be to run GC-MS analysis on the pennies post and pre 1982, this way one can
be certain of the compounds and molecular structures of the pennies.

4.Due to the fact that there is a big break in 1982 this means that a change occurred
in this year. It could be that the penny manufactures found a more inexpensive way
to mass-produce these coins.
 Calculations.
PART B:

volumes volumes Densities Densitie

of of of pennies- s of [ [ [
pennies- pennies- for pre pennies- ()]2 [ 2 2
()] ()]
for pre for post 1982 for post ()]2
1982 1982 1982
( )
() )
)

2.2342 1.6254 6.8958 7.6603 0.1541 0.1334 6.8958 1.5319

1.0865 1.8711 14.2049 6.7219 1.8711 0.01430 29.6393 0.08958
1.9223 2.6102 8.0313 4.8185 0.006496 0.3838 0.5320 2.5731
2.2843 2.3649 6.7482 5.3035 0.1959 0.1400 4.0502 1.2524
1.8898 1.8564 8.0905 6.6100 0.002314 0.01804 0.4492 0.03512
1.6793 1.7716 8.8739 7.0824 0.02637 0.04800 0.01281 0.4353
1.7952 1.8355 8.4804 6.7616 0.002162 0.02409 0.07857 0.1149

2
]2 ] = ]2 = ]2 =
0.76163 41.6579 6.0323
= 2.2584

() volumes of pennies for pre 1982 () =

12.8916
= = 1.8417
7

() volumes of pennies for post 1982 () =

13.9351
= = 1.9907
7

() of pennies for pre 1982 () =

61.325
= = 8.7607 /
7

() Densities of pennies for post 1982 () =

44.9582
= = 6.4226/
7

= [ 2 + [ 2 /(
] ] + ) 2

= 2.2584 + 0.76163/12
= 0.1448
= [ ]2 + [ ]2 /( + ) 2

= 41.6579 + 6.0323/12
= 0.5755/
| |
=
+

.

|1.8417 1.9907|
=
14
0.1448
49
= 1.9252
| |
=
+

.

|8.7607 (/)6.4226( )|
=
14
0.5755( )
49
= 7.6009/

5. 1.9252.
# 12 95% 2.179. ,
. . 95%.

6.T-value of the densities of pre and post-pennies show that there is a significant
difference between the densities. The density of the T-value calculated was 7.6009
which was far greater than the T-value for the standard 12 degree of freedom at
95% CL founded to be 2.179.

.
7.The contrast in the T-estimations of the masses in the middle of pre and post-
pennies was so tremendously expected in light of the fact that the distinction in T-
estimation of the densities exhibits the immense contrast between the masses, as
contrast with moment measurable distinction in their separate volumes. However
the rate of progress of masses is specifically relative to the densities, accordingly
when the mass expands the density additionally increment and the other way
around.

8. During 1982, pennies were made of 95% copper and 5% zinc. After 1982 the
values of copper and zinc were reversed.