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Measurement of density
1) Introduction to the vernier caliper
Dimensions of the order of tenths of a millimeter (0.1 mm or 0.01 cm) can be
measured using a
vernier caliper. It consists of a main scale and a movable
vernier scale. The main scale is calibrated
in centimeters with a millimeter
least count, and the vernier scale has 10 divisions that cover 9
divisions
on the main scale. The left most mark on the vernier scale is the zero mark,
which is
often unlabeled.
A measurement is made with the vernier caliper by closing the jaws on the
object to be measured
and then reading the position where the zero line of
the vernier falls on the main scale. The
fractional part of a main scale
division is obtained by noting which line on the vernier coincides
with a
line on the main scale. Visit this vernier web site
and learn how to use a vernier caliper.
2) Introduction to the
micrometer
Dimensions of the order of hundredths of a millimeter
(0.01 mm or 0.001 cm) can be measured
using the micrometer. It has a movable
spindle that is advanced by a rotating thimble. The
ratchet allows slippage
of the screw mechanism when a small and constant force is exerted on the
jaw. This permits the jaw to be tightened on an object with the same amount
of force each time.
The axial main scale is calibrated in millimeters and
the thimble is calibrated in 0.01 mm.
The micrometer should be
checked for a zero error, for it may not read zero when the jaws are
completely closed. In such cases a zero correction has to be applied
to every reading. The zero
error may be either positive or negative. The
zero correction is always made by subtracting the
zero reading from the
final reading.
The micrometer is read by noting the position of the edge of the thimble on
the main scale which
gives the nearest whole main scale division. The
position of the axial line on the circular thimble
scale gives the
fractional part of the main scale. Visit this
micrometer
web site and learn how to
use a micrometer.
In this experiment the mass will be measured using an electronic balance.
A. Rectangular Solids
Purpose: To determine the densities of various rectangular solids by measuring their dimensions and mass.
Apparatus: Electronic balance, foot ruler, vernier caliper, micrometer,
rectangular solid metals- Al, Cu, Brass, and Fe; sheet metal, and acrylic
block.
Theory: Density = Mass/Volume, Volume = Length x Width x Height.
Data: Rectangular Solids
Mass | Length | Width | Height | |
Al | - | - | - | - |
Cu | - | - | - | - |
Fe | - | - | - | - |
Brass | - | - | - | - |
Sheet metal | - | - | - | - |
Acrylic block | - | - | - | - |
Aluminum = 2.70 Copper =
8.90 Iron =
7.85 Brass = 8.40
Steel = 7.80
Gold =19.30
Lead =11.30 Nickel =
8.75
Platinum =21.54
Silver =10.5
Zinc =
7.10 water = 1.00
Wood = 0.64
Acrylic = 1.2
B. Cylinders
Purpose: To determine the densities of various cylinders by measuring their dimensions and mass.
Apparatus: Metal cylinders: Cu, Fe, Steel, Brass, and Al; wood cylinder,
length of Cu wire, electronic balance, foot ruler, vernier caliper, and
micrometer.
Theory: Density =
Mass/Volume, Volume = (Pi x d^2 x
h)/4.
Data:
Cylinder | Mass | Height, h | Diameter, d |
Al | - | - | - |
Steel | - | - | - |
Cu | - | - | - |
Brass | - | - | - |
Fe | - | - | - |
Wood | - | - | - |
Cu wire | - | - | - |
D. Density of Water
Purpose: Investigate the density of water.
Apparatus: Graduated cylinder, electronic balance, and water.
Theory: Density = Mass/Volume
Procedure:
1. Measure the mass of a graduated cylinder in grams (use the electronic
balance), and record it
on the data table.
2. Fill a small amount of water and measure the mass of graduated cylinder and water.
3. Determine the volume of water by reading the water level in the graduated cylinder.
4. Repeat 1-3, by adding water, 9 more times.
DATA
Mass of the graduated cylinder = ______________
Mass of cyl + water | Volume of water |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
- | - |
5. Enter the above data in excel and create a column for the mass of water and calculate it.
6. Plot an XY scatter chart and obtain the density of water from the graph. Print a hard copy of your graph.
7. Density of water from your graph:______________________
D. Density of a penny
Calculate the density of a penny by measuring its mass, diameter, and
thickness.
Data:
Year of penny________________
Measured mass of penny __________
Measured diameter of penny________
Measured thickness (or height) of penny ________
Calculated volume of penny__________
Calculated density of penny____________
Visit this
penny
composition website and calculate an accepted density for your penny. Also
comment about the metal composition of your
penny.
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