4-Sep-2014: Measuring the density of metal cylinders

Purpose:

The main purpose of this lab is to measure the density of the metal cylinder using calipers and micrometer. Along to measuring the density, we will propagate the uncertainty of our calculations.

Lab Set Up:

The picture below is the caliper we used to measure the metal cylinder. The calipers have an uncertainty of about 0.01 to 0.02 cm. We used the calipers to measure the height and diameter. We obtain the value of 1.42 ± 0.02cm for the diameter. For height, our value were 5.08 ± 0.01cm. 

 The picture below is the scale that was used to weigh the metal cylinder to determine the mass. The scale has an uncertainty of 0.1g. Our value for the mass was 62.1 ±0.01g.

Procedure:

Using the calipers, measure the diameter and height of the cylinder. Using the scale, weigh the cylinder to determine the mass. Be sure to obtain the uncertainty of each devices used. Since we have the value for the diameter, height and mass, we could measure the density. We used the equation density = mass/volume and volume = height * pi * (radius)^2. Also for the uncertainty we used to the standard deviation equation.

Data/Calculation:

In the following pictures, it shows our calculation for the density and uncertainty. 

The density for this metal cylinder is 7.49 ± 0.26g/cm^3. 

The density of this metal cylinder is 17.5 ± 0.404 g/cm^3. 

The density of this metal cylinder is 8.005 ± 0.719 g/cm^3. 

Summary:

In this lab, we measured the values for height, diameter and mass, to determine the density. We also calculated the uncertainty of our density based on the equipments used.