Turn the balance on and make sure it is set to zero. Place the dry, empty graduated cylinder on the balance. Record the mass of the cylinder in grams (g). For example, let’s say the empty graduated cylinder weighs 11 grams.
The volume of water in the graduated cylinder is the volume you will use for the density calculation. Let’s say you filled the graduated cylinder with 7. 3 milliliters (mL) of volume.
If you do spill the water, take note of the new volume and re-weigh the water-filled graduated cylinder. For example, let’s say the full graduated cylinder weighs 18. 3 grams.
In our example, the mass of the graduated cylinder is 11 g and the mass of the cylinder full of water is 18. 3 g. 18. 3 g – 11 g = 7. 3 g, therefore the mass of the water is 7. 3 grams.
Mass of the water: 7. 3 g Volume of the water: 7. 3 mL Density of water = 7. 3/7. 3 = 1 g/mL
The standard equation for density is ρ = m/v.
For example, at 0°C the density of water is 0. 9998 g/mL, but at 80°C the density is 0. 9718 g/mL. These differences may seem small, but are very important to be aware of in scientific experiments and research.
