CHEM 211 Laboratory

Density Of Solutions
Reference: General Chemistry Laboratory Experiments, Suzanne W Slayden, 1999, 3rd edition,
Pages 23-29.
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine the density and concentration of an
unknown salt solution.
Procedure and Observations: Do preliminary calculations as instructed in the lab manual.
Record all your data in your laboratory notebook as you proceed with the experiment.
Data: After you have entered all the masses and volumes, enter your own data into the
appropriate Web-based data entry form, using a computer in the lab. In your measurements and
calculations, remember to pay attention to uncertainties and significant figures.
Results: Outside of class, retrieve your data in spreadsheet form (along with that of the entire
class) from: http://chem.gmu.edu/results/. Then use Excel to calculate the densities of the various
diluted solutions, stock solution and water.
Your lab report should include the following in addition to the pages from your lab notebook:
An Excel sheet Raw Data showing the raw data for the entire class (as downloaded).
A 2nd Excel sheet Class Results showing the calculated results for each student in the
class each in a separate row. The columns should include:
o the concentrations of the five solutions (including the distilled water).
o the measured densities of the five solutions
o the slope and intercept for the density vs. conc. plot. Use the Excel functions
=SLOPE(y-range, x-range) and =INTERCEPT(y-range, x-range)
o the measured density of the unknown
o the calculated concentration of the unknown.
rd
A 3 Excel sheet My Results showing your own results, only. Be sure to include your
unknown number at the top of this sheet! There will be six rows, one for each of the
known solutions and one for the unknown. There should be two columns:
o density (g/mL)
o concentration (M)
An Excel chart of concentration vs. density for your own data only, based on the My
Results sheet described above. Concentration should be on the y-axis and density on the
x-axis. The chart should have five points one for each of the known solutions. Include
a linear regression fit to your points and show the equation of the line. Format your
chart so that it looks like the Web example at:
http://chem.gmu.edu/results/samples/Density_sample_charts/density.htm
Discussion: In your discussion section address the following questions:
Making the simplistic assumption that the dissolved NaCl(s) does not affect the volume
of the solvent water, determine the constants m and b in the equation Molarity =
mdensity + b that relates the NaCl molarity to the NaCl(aq) density. Take the density of
water to be 1.00 g/mL and the molar mass of NaCl to be 58.5 g/mol.

How does your experimental value for the slope m and intercept b compare with the
values derived from the simple model above?