The Thickness of Aluminum Foil and the Density of Tin Foil

The Thickness of Aluminum Foil and the Density of Tin Foil

I. Purpose:

A. To calculate the thickness of a sheet of aluminum foil by using its mass, length, width, and density.

B. To calculate the density of a sheet of tin foil by using its mass, length, width, and thickness.

C. To calculate the percent error of your data for tin.

II. Formula for Density and Volume:

Density relates the mass of a substance to the amount of space it takes up (its volume), and can be calculated using the formula:

where D = density, m = mass, V = volume

Volume of a rectangular object: V = Length x Width x Thickness

III. Percent Error:

IV. Supplies: (to be shared):

For Part A: 10.00 cm x 10.00 cm sheet of aluminum foil, with unknown thickness. Density = 2.70 g / cm3

For Part B: 10.00 cm x 10.00 cm sheet of tin foil whose thickness is 40.0 mm

Part A: Determining the thickness of aluminum foil. Show all calculations; include all units; include all steps.

1. Record the mass of one sheet of aluminum foil. ______

2. Use the given density and the density formula in order to calculate its volume. ______

CAREFUL – think about the UNIT

3. Use the volume formula to calculate its thickness. ______

4. Convert the thickness from centimeters to micrometers. ______

Part B: Use the sheet of tin foil in order to calculate the density of tin.

1. Record the mass of one sheet of tin foil. ______

2. Use its given length, width, and thickness, in order to calculate its volume.

CAREFUL –think about question 4 above, and what volume unit is needed for Q 3 below ______

3. Calculate its density. ______

4. Look up the density for white tin; calculate your % error. ______