A student determines the density of a metal object in the lab by obtaining its mass on a balance and its volume by displacement in a graduated cylinder. The dat

Question

also: Given the volume data reported, and assuming that the student used correct lab technique, what volume did the separation between two calibration lines on the graduated cylinder correspond to?

Answer 1

If you put a rock in a glass of water, the level of the water in the glass will go up. This increase in volume is due to the volume of the rock that displaced (pushed away) the water.

 

If you use a graduated cylinder instead of a glass, you can actually read the volume in the cylinder before and after the rock is added.

 

The reading before the rock is added corresponds to the volume of water present in the cylinder

The reading after the rock is added corresponds to the volume of the water and the rock present in the cylinder

 

The difference between the two measurement is:

 

2nd measurement - 1st meas.

  [V_water + V_rock]  -   [V_water] = V_rock

 

Whether you have a rock, a plastic dinosaur, or a metal object makes no difference. The difference between the two measurements will correspond to the volume of the object submerged in the water.