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Article

Measuring the Density of a Sugar Solution: A General Chemistry Experiment Using a Student-Prepared Unknown

Supporting Info

Karen I. Peterson

Department of Chemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-1030

J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (8), p 1089

DOI: 10.1021/ed085p1089

Publication Date (Web): August 1, 2008

Abstract

The experiment developed in this article addresses the concept of equipment calibration for reducing systematic error. It also suggests simple student-prepared sucrose solutions for which accurate densities are known, but not readily available to students. Densities are measured with simple glassware that has been calibrated using the density of water. By careful work, students can determine the density to within 0.5%. This allows accuracy to be a major component of the final grade.

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