September 20, 2014-Measuring the Density of Metal Cylinders.

 Purpose: The Purpose of this lab was to learn how to find the density of an object and find the propagated error, while learning how to use different tools that you could find in the classroom.

Apparatus used: We used a scale to find the weight of an object We also used  a vernier calipers to help us find the diameter and height of our cylinder.

 vernier calipers

What we  Did: We found the diameter, the height, and the mass of three cylinders. One of aluminum, one of copper, and one of steel. We then used this information to determine the density of each cylinder using the density formula. After obtaining the density we listen to Professor wolf lecture about propagated error and how we would derive it. Below are the main notes that I needed to find the propagated error.

We used the formula above and plugged in the information we needed to find out the propagated error. Each of our lab members took it upon themselves to find the propagated error of 1 cylinder. I was given the duty to find the density and propagated error of the copper. I found that the coppers density was 2246.13 kg/m and the propagated error was + or - 33 kg/m.


Conclusion: We were able to used the derived formula provided by professor Wolf to find the propagated error for our three objects. My object in particular had a propagated error of + or - 33kg/m which made my density look like 2243.13,+- 33 kg/m