Question

You determined the densities of copper or zinc. Suppose during the experiment some water splashed out of the graduated cylinder when you place the pennies into it. Do you think that is affected your results? Explain.

Will your densities be affected if air bubbles got trapped between the metal shots or the pennies sample? Explain.

Answer 1

1) If some of water splashed out of the graduated cylinder so there will be less rise in volume of water in cylinder, this will lower the measured volume of copper or zinc added.

Now density = Mass / Volume

So the density will come out to be increased as compared to the acutal one.

2) If air bubbles got trapped between metal shots or the pennies then the volume occupied by metal will be more than the actual volume .

Now again

Density = Mass / Volume .

so due to increase in volume the measured density will be less than the actual density of metal.