background [prelab assignment (10 points) due at the begining of lab]

design / describe how to determine the density of a solid / liquid using a least-squares regression analysis, i.e. graphical data analysis

sketch a data table for your experimental measurements (i.e. review the purpose & content of your lab report)

msds on isopropanol (or isopropyl alcohol)

purpose

is there a difference in the density among the different coins ?

is there a difference in the density among the different liquids ?

materials

new & old pennies (1982 "divides" old & new pennies), dimes

isopropyl alcohol, sea water, water;

graduated cylinder; balance; pipet

methods

student design

data analysis

determine the density using least-squares analysis

Content of the lab report (20 points)

introduction (5 points)

how to determine density using graphical analysis & basis of least-squares analysis

data analysis (5 points)

determination of density using least-squares analysis

discussion (10 points) 

statistics (include interpretation of p-value) to compare density among solids; denisty among liquids

what does the results imply in regards to the composition of new & old pennies ?

 

resources

lab activity source (examples):  site 1  &  site 2  [access 4 / 2009]