LABORATORY MANUAL

Name: Group No. Group Members Present

Year & Section:
Date Performed:
Date Submitted:

Experiment No. 1
DENSITY OF SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS

Objective: To determine the density of given solids and liquids.

Apparatus: platform balance, pycnometer, graduated cylinder, set of weights, metal

specimen (different metals of different densities), block of wood, different
liquids (heavy and light), vernier caliper.

Theory:

Different solids and different liquids have different densities. The molecules of
solids are closed together. Motion of the molecules in solids is limited. On the other
hand, motion of molecules among liquids is faster than the motion of molecules in solids.

Density is a characteristic property of both solids and liquids. Both solids and
liquids are only slightly compressed by even a large force. As a result of this, their
densities are almost constant under ordinary conditions, unlike gases, which are highly
compressible. Due to this high compressibility, their densities differ under different
temperatures and force applied.

Knowing the density of any substance will help determine the kind and nature of
the substance. You can even analyze the identity of that substance by knowing its
density.

Density can be determined easily by direct method. Knowing the mass and
volume of a given substance will determine its density by dividing the mass by the
volume of that substance. That is,

m

v

where:  is the mass density , m is the mass, and v is the volume.

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 Both solids and liquids can be characterized also through its weight density. By
applying the following formula, weight density is given as

weight wt
g  
volume v

Likewise, the density of liquids can also be determined by direct method. With
the use of a pycnometer bottle, density of any liquid can be computed. The weight of the
liquid content of the pycnometer divided by the volume of the liquid, as marked in the
pycnometer bottle, will give the weight density of the liquid.

Procedure:

A. Solids

1. Measure the length, width and thickness of the block of wood using the
vernier caliper. Determine the volume.

Use graduated cylinder in determining the volume of irregular solids (i.e. Zn,
Cu).

2. Weigh each object to get the mass.

3. Divide the mass by the volume of each solid.

4. Repeat the procedure using different solids.

B. Liquids

1. Weigh the pycnometer empty with the stopper. See to it that the pycnometer
is dried properly. Then weigh it again with the liquid specimen.

2. Divide the mass obtained by the volume, which is marked in the pycnometer
bottle.

3. Repeat the different steps using different liquid.

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Data and Observation:

A. Solids

Density
Solids Mass Volume % Error
Computed Accepted
Value
1
2
3
4

B. Liquids

Density
Liquids Mass % Error
Computer Accepted
Value
1
2
3

Computation and Analysis

1. Determine the density of each solid by dividing the mass over the
corresponding volume of each.

2. Compute the density of the liquid specimen by dividing the mass of the
liquid by the volume as indicated in the pycnometer bottle.

3. Compare the results obtained for both solid and liquid with the true value of
density found in the appendix of the laboratory manual.

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Conclusion:

Review Questions:

1. Differentiate mass density from weight density.

2. How is weight density related with relative density?

3. What effect does a rise in temperature have on the density of solids and liquids.

4. What happens to the density of water near the freezing point?

5. Why is the density of all solids and liquids almost constant at ordinary condition,
while the density of different gases varies?

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 Name: Group No. Group Members Present
Year & Section:
Date Performed:
Date Submitted:

Experiment No. 2
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS

Objectives:
1. To determine the specific gravity of solids denser than water and
solids less dense than water.

2. To determine the specific gravity of light and heavy liquids.

Apparatus: Triple beam balance, set of weight, graduated cylinder, metal sinker, metal
specimen, block of wood, wax or candle, liquid specimen (light and heavy
liquid), hydrometer (for light and heavy liquid), pycnometer, iron stand,
1000 ml beaker, 150 ml beaker, water and string, 500 ml graduated
cylinder.

Theory:

Specific gravity or relative density is an important special property of matter.

Knowing the specific gravity of an unknown matter, will identify the matter. It is also a
way of knowing whether a substance is pure or not. The quality of any particular liquid
can be established through its specific gravity or relative density. Determining specific
gravity is an important application of Archimedes’ Principle.

The specific gravity of an object is the ratio of the weight of the object to the
weight of an equal volume of water. That is,
Fw 0
r 
Fw H 2 0
where: r is the specific gravity, Fwo is the weight f object, and FwH 2 0 is the weight of
an equal volume of water.

It is also the ratio of the density of the solid to the density of water. In symbols,

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 0
r 
H 2 O

Knowing the weight of an equal volume of water will easily determine the
specific gravity. By applying Archimedes’ Principle, specific gravity can be computed.
When an object is completely or partly immersed in water, the buoyant force on the
object is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced according to Archimedes’ Principle.
The buoyant force is the difference between the weight of the object in air and its weight
under water.

The specific gravity of objects less dense than water is determined by using a
sinker. The sinker will make the floating object sink to get the lifting effect of water.

The specific gravity of liquids can be determined directly by using hydrometer

and also by applying Archimedes’ Principle. Loss-of-weight method and bottle method
may also be used.

By determining the loss of weight in a given liquid and loss of weight in water,
the specific gravity may be computed by using the formula:

loss of weight in liquid

r 
loss of weight in water

In the bottle method, the weight of the liquid alone over the weight of water alone
is determined by using a pycnometer, which will give the specific gravity of the liquid.

In the hydrometer method, the level of water is shown when the hydrometer is
floating and will indicate the actual specific gravity as measured by the liquid level.

Procedure:

I. Solids
A. Solids denser than water

1. Weigh the solid in air and weigh it again in water.

2. Determine the loss of weight in water by subtracting the weight in air

minus the weight in water.

B. Solids less dense than water.

1. Weigh the solid in air.

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 2. Attach a sinker to the object and weigh the object in air while the sinker is
in water.

3. Weigh the object and sinker when both of them are under water.

4. Determine the lifting effect by subtracting the weight obtained in step 2

minus the weight obtained in step 3.

II Liquids

A. Loss of weight method

1. Weigh a metal in air, then weigh the same metal in water and then weigh
again in the liquid to be tested or determined.

2. Determine the loss of weight in water and the loss of weight in the liquid.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 using a different liquid.

B. Pycnometer method

1. Weigh the pycnometer with the stopper empty.

2. Weigh the pycnometer when filled with water, and then weigh again
when filled with the liquid.

3. Find the weight of the water and liquid alone.

4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 using the other liquid.

C. Hydrometer method

1. Pour the two different liquids tested in separate hydrometer jars.

2. Place the hydrometer for heavy liquid in the jar with liquid than water,
and the hydrometer for light liquids in the jar with liquid less dense than
water.

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Data and Observation

I. Solids

A. Solids denser than water Solid Specimen

Weight of solid in air W a

Weight of solid in water WH 2 O

Loss of weight in water W a - WH 2 O

Specific gravity:
Experimental value
True value
Percentage difference

B. Solids less dense than water Solid Specimen

Weight of solid in air Wa
Weight of solid in air and sinker in water W1
Weight of solid and sinker both under water W 2
Lifting effect of water W1 - W2
Specific gravity of the solid
Experimental value
Accepted value
Percentage difference

II. Liquids

A. Loss of weight method

Weight of metal in air Wa

Weight of metal in water WH 2 O

Weight of metal in liquid WL

Specific gravity of liquid
Experimental value
Accepted value
Percentage difference

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B. Pycnometer method
Weight of pycnometer with stopper Wp

Weight of pycnometer filled with water WH 2 O

Weight of pycnometer with liquid WL

Weight of water alone
Weight of liquid alone
Specific gravity of liquid
Experimental value
Accepted value
Percentage difference

C. Hydrometer method Specific Gravity % Error

Experimental True Value
Value
Heavy liquid
Light liquid

Computation and Analysis

1. Compute the specific gravity of the solid denser than water using the
formula:
Wa
r 
Wa  WH 2 O

2. Compare the computed value with the true value in the appendix.

3. Calculate the specific gravity of solids less dense than water by using

Wa
r 
W1  W2

4. Compare the results by finding the percentage difference.

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 5. Compute the specific gravity of liquids using the following formulas:

Wa  WL
r 
Wa  WH 2 O

WL  Wp
r 
WH 2 O  Wp

6. Compare the results with the true value.

7. Compare the results obtained using the hydrometer method with the true
value.

Conclusion:

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Review Questions:

1. What is the importance of knowing the specific gravity of either solid or liquid?

2. Is the specific gravity of a substance, the same when the substance is in the solid
state?

3. What is the relationship between specific gravity and density of a substance?

4. Explain how you could determine the relative density of a liquid by weighing a solid
in it.

5. Why is a sinker necessary in determining the lifting effect of water?

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 Name: Group No. Group Members Present
Year & Section:
Date Performed:
Date Submitted:

Experiment No. 3
BOYLE’S LAW

Objectives: To study how the volume of a given gas varies with the pressure exerted
on it.

Apparatus: J-tube, medicine dropper, meterstick, utility clamp, iron stand and mercury
specimen.

Atmospheric Meterstick Atmospheric pressure

pressure
b

Pressure of
Trapped Air mercury ab

V
V a

Figure 1a Figure 1b

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Theory:

The relationship between the pressure exerted by a confined gas and the volume it
occupies is expressed by Boyle’s law, namely: If the temperature remains unchanged,
the volume V occupied by a given amount of gas is inversely proportional to the pressure
P to which it is subjected. This means that as the pressure exerted on a gas increases, the
volume occupied by the gas decreases. And conversely, as the pressure applied on the gas
decreases, the volume increases. In symbols

V  1 or V = k  1
P P
so that PV = k.

Procedure:

1. Using the medicine dropper, put enough mercury into the J-tube to fill the curved
portion and to reach the graduation in the meterstick.

2. Tip the tube sideways so that air flows past the mercury and the mercury column
becomes the same height in sides of the tube as shown in Figure 1a.

3. Measure the height of the short arm as well as the height of the mercury in both
arms of the tube. The difference between the recorded height of the short arm and
the height of the mercury in the short arm indicates the original volume of air taken.
The volume of the cylinder of same diameter is directly proportional to their
lengths. The barometer reading is the original pressure.

4. Now add 10 to 15 cm of mercury to the long arm of the tube. Calculate the new
volume of the air by subtracting the height of the mercury in the short arm of the
tube from the height of the tube itself.

5. Determine the new pressure by adding the barometer reading to the difference
between the height of the mercury levels on the two columns. In the same manner,
take four more readings and tabulate the results. Calculate the PV product. What is
the physical significance of the constancy of the various values of PV?

6. Plot a graph of pressure against volume V, beginning each scale at zero. What is the
apparent shape of the curve?

Precaution: Mercury is very poisonous and is readily absorbed through the respiratory
track. It is therefore important that the mercury be handled with care.
Containers of mercury should be securely covered and spillage should be
avoided. Mercury can also “eat” metals.

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Data and Observation

Height of short arm = cm

Barometer reading = cm

Height of
Difference in Volume Pressure
Trial mercury column 1/V PV
mercury level of gas on gas
in cm

closed open
arm arm

Computation and Analysis

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Conclusion:

Review Questions:

1. Describe the relationship between the pressure exerted on a gas and the volume
occupied by the gas.

lb N
2. The barometric pressure is 76 cm of mercury. Express this in in 2 and m2 .

3. Show clearly why the constant k in Boyle’s law equation PV = k is not a pure
number but has the dimension of work.

4. In certain instruments, pressure must be transmitted for considerable distance and to

various levels. What advantages are there in using a gas as a transmitting medium
rather than a liquid? What are the disadvantages?

5. Explain why the pressure decreases as the volume of a gas is increased at constant
temperature?

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