Determining the Density of a Fluid

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the densities of a sample of clay and a given fluid provided the following materials:

·         Block of clay

·         Ruler/meter stick

·         Spring Scale

·         Container filled with fluid

You may work alone or in pairs, but each student is responsible for their own lab report. The final draft of the lab report must be submitted via Google Classroom by the date posted on Google Classroom, and must also be submitted through the SafeAssign tab on our Blackboard page.

A diagram is required in your write-up and may either be done on the computer or by hand. Graphs may not be done by hand and must be completed using Microsoft Excel or a similar program. Graphs that do not have a line of best fit or equation written with physics variables will not earn full credit. When taking data, the minimum number of data points allowed is 5, but of course more data will generally yield better results.

See the AP Lab Rubric for guidance on grading. You will get 45 minutes to work on this lab in class.

NOTE: You may NOT solve this lab by cutting a hole in the side of your cop and sticking the spring scale through the hole.

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