Density determination of a solid using a spring balance
Experiment No.:
Title: Density Determination of a Solid Using a Spring Balance and Measuring Cylinder
Objective: To determine the density of a solid by measuring its mass using a spring balance and its volume using a measuring cylinder.
Apparatus Required:
- A solid object (irregular or regular shape)
- A spring balance
- A measuring cylinder
- Water
- A thread (if required, for suspending the solid)
Theory: Density (ρ) is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance and is given by: \(\rho = \frac{m}{V}\) where:
- \(\rho\) = Density of the solid (g/cm³ or kg/m³)
- m = Mass of the solid (g or kg)
- V = Volume of the solid (cm³ or m³)
The mass of the solid is determined using a spring balance, and its volume is found by the water displacement method in a measuring cylinder.
Procedure:
- Measure the mass of the solid using the spring balance and record it as mm.
- Fill the measuring cylinder with water up to a known initial volume \(V_1\)
- Tie the solid with a thread (if needed) and fully immerse it in the water without touching the walls of the cylinder.
- Note the new water level \(V_2\) in the measuring cylinder.
- Calculate the volume of the solid as: \(V= V_2 – V_1\)
- Use the formula \(\rho = \frac{m}{V}\) to determine the density of the solid.
Observations:
| Trial No. | Mass (g) | Initial Water Volume \(V_1\) (cm³) | Final Water Volume \(V_2\) (cm³) | Volume of Solid \(V\) (cm³) | Density \(\rho\) (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 |
Calculations: Calculate the volume of the solid and determine its density using the formula \(\rho = \frac{m}{V}\)
Result: The density of the given solid is found to be approximately ______ g/cm³.
Conclusion: The density of the solid was successfully determined using a spring balance and a measuring cylinder. The results confirm the relationship between mass, volume, and density.
Precautions:
- Ensure that the spring balance is properly calibrated before measuring the mass.
- Avoid parallax errors while noting measurements.
- Fully immerse the solid in water without air bubbles.
- Use a dry and clean solid before measurement.
- Perform the experiment carefully to prevent water spillage.
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