Introduction:
Mathematics can be used to indirectly measure quantities that are too small to measure directly. You will use this technique in this lab to determine how thick a piece of aluminum foil is. You will use the density of aluminum to help you determine this measurement. Objectives:
• Determine the density of aluminum.
• Calculate the thickness of aluminum foil.
• Use unit cancellation to help you with the mathematics. Materials:
Aluminum Block
Aluminum Foil
Water
Scissors
Metric Ruler
100 mL Graduated Cylinder Procedure:
(NOTE: All the calculations you perform in the following procedure should be documented in the calculation section of your lab report.
Work should be shown using the unit cancellation method when necessary.)
1. Mass the block of aluminum metal. Record the mass in grams in your data table.
2. Place 50.0 mL (cm3 ) of water in the graduated cylinder. Lower the aluminum block into the water in the graduated cylinder until it is completely immersed.
Read the new volume of water in the graduated cylinder. Subtract the 50.0 mL volume from the new volume to find the volume of the aluminum block and record it in your data table. (Watch out for Sig. Figs. Remember to use decimal places when subtracting.)
3. Use the equation
Density = mass/volume to determine the density of aluminum and record it in your data table. (Remember Sig. Figs.)
4. Cut a piece of aluminum foil approximately 12 cm x 12 cm.
5. Now measure the exact length and width of the aluminum foil to the nearest
0.01 cm. Record these measurements in your data table.
6. Find the mass of the aluminum foil and record your result.
7. Use your algebraic skills to solve for volume using the density equation shown above. Now calculate the volume of the aluminum foil using the density you calculated for aluminum block in step 3 and the mass of the foil . Record this in your data table. (Remember significant figures. This time, you will use significant figures from your data to