Name

Period

Date

Density of Penny Lab

OBJECTIVE

• Measure the density of a penny.

INFO

• Pennies prior to 1982 are solid copper (Cu).
• Pennies after 1982 have a zinc (Zn) core.
• pre-1982 pennies r = 8.8 g/mL
• post-1982 pennies r = 7.2 g/mL

o target value (tv)

MATERIALS

• 40 pennies
• 100-mL graduated cylinder
• balance

DATA

1. group number = _____
2. pre 1982 or post 1982 = __________
3. mass of 40 pennies = _____ g
4. initial volume (V_o) of water = _____ mL
5. final volume (V_f) of water = _____ mL

PROCEDURE

1. Count the pennies and double-check their dates.
2. Dry off the pennies, if needed.
3. Mass out the 40 pennies.
4. Pour about 50 mL of water into graduated cylinder.
5. Record initial volume.
6. Slide the 40 pennies into the graduated cylinder.
7. Record final volume.
8. Enter data into the computer

CALCULATIONS

1. volume of pennies (∆V = V_f - V_o)
2. density of pennies
• experimental value (EV)
3. percent discrepancy