Mass, Volume and Density

Names:_________________________________________
Purpose: To determine the densities of three unknown metals and to identify them based
on their (extensive/intensive) properties.

Research the terms mass, volume, density, extensive properties, and intensive properties.
Where do the units for mass (kilogram) and volume (cm3 and mL) come from and what
do they mean? What is the density of distilled water? What is Archimedes principle?
Does temperature affect the density of a solid? liquid? gas?

Materials
• Safety glasses
• 10, 25, and/or 50 mL graduated cylinders (depending on sample size)
• Distilled water
• Metal samples A,B & C

Procedure
1. The class will split into groups of no more than 2. Each group will gather data for
each of the three metals (A, B, C) and report their data to the rest of the class.
2. Select a metal sample for each group and then rotate the sample between the
groups.
3. Mass a dry, set quantity of your metal sample and record the mass in the table
below.
4. Next, an appropriately sized graduated cylinder with enough distilled water to
cover your sample, but not so much water that when the sample is dumped into it
that it overflows (this may take some practice). Record that level of water in the
cylinder accurately as the initial volume in the table below for each metal.
5. Then tilt the cylinder to about 45° and slide the metal sample into the cylinder
slowly being careful not to spill any water or metal. If any water or metal is
spilled in this part of the procedure – you must restart with that metal sample.
Make sure that no air bubbles are clinging to the submerged metal samples.
Accurately record the final volume of the water in the cylinder.
6. Dump the water and thoroughly dry the metal sample before placing it back into
the container.
7. Repeat procedures 3-7 with the remaining three unknown metal samples.

*Always use the correct number of significant figures to represent your accuracy in
measuring your data.
Using the Lab Report Format:

Show an example of how your group calculated the experimental densities of your group
samples and the class samples.

Graph the class data using mass as the x axis and volume as the y axis, (title the graph
and make a legend or key for the various metal samples).

Compare your group’s experimental density to that of the class’s experimental density
from the graph and make comment as to their relative accuracies.

Research the possible identities of the metals based on their extensive properties
(density, radioactivity, heat capacity, conductivity, lethal exposure/dosage, etc.) and
intensive properties (color, texture, luster, magnetism, reactivity, etc.).

Make a claim as to the identity of the various metals based on their extensive and
intensive properties. Calculate the % error for each of your claims for both your group’s
experimental values and the class’s. Show an example of each type of calculation and
make a table representing the organized results.

Explain your claim in a presentation to the class using as much evidence and reasoning
as you are now able.

Data

Group Data
Metal A Metal B Metal C
Mass of metal (g)

Initial volume of
water (mL or cm3)
Final volume of
water (mL or cm3)
Volume of metal
(mL or cm3) *
Experimental
density of metal
(g/mL or g/cm3)*
Class Data: Mass and Volumes of each groups’ metal samples
Lab Group Metal A Metal B Metal C
1

10

11

12

13

14

Total *

Class Exp.
Density *