The internal diameter, D, of an empty beaker is measured.
Water is then poured into the beaker until it is about two-thirds full. The depth, do, of the
water in the beaker is measured using a graduated scale fixed to the beaker.
A body of mass, M, supported on the free end of a piece of thread, fixed to the boss of a
retort stand, is immersed completely in the water as shown in the diagram above. The
new depth, d, of the water in the beaker is measured and recorded.
The procedure is repeated with four different masses.
Fig 1(a), fig 1(b) and Fig 1(c) show the masses M, the diameter, D, of the beaker and
depth, d, of water in the beaker respectively.
(i) Measure and record the masses, M.
(ii) Measure and record the corresponding depth d, where = 1,2,3,4 and 5.
(iii) Also measure and record D.
(iv) Evaluate d – do in each case.
(v) Tabulate your readings.
(vi) Plot a graph with Mi on the vertical axis and (d – d) on the horizontal axis.
(vii) Determine the slope, s, of the graph
(viii) Evaluate K = Take p =
(ix) State two precaution that are necessary to ensure accurate results when performing
this experiment.
(b) (i) Show that the relative density of a substance is equal to the weight of the substance
divided by the weight of an equal volume of water
(ii) The following data were obtained in an experiment
mass of empty relative density bottle = 18.5 g
mass of relative density bottle filled with water = 65.5 g
mass of relative density bottle filled with another liquid X = 58.5 g
Use the data to determine the relative density of X.
