Lab 1A: Density Block Lab

Introduction: The purpose of this lab was to calculate the mass (amount of matter in an object) of a I given plastic block using a given density and a calculated volume. The density (amount of mass over per amount of space) was given on the block while we calculated the volume (amount of matter an object can hold) of the block using the formula length*width*height=volume. To achieve accuracy, the goal was to have a percent error lower than 2% after discovering the actual mass.

Procedure: The materials used in this lab include: calculator, scale, ruler, and various plastic blocks.
 Steps:
1. Record the given density of the plastic block
2. Measure the sides of the block (in cm) using a ruler and record lengths
3. Find the volume of the block using the formula L*W*H=volume
4. Calculate the experimental mass of the block using the formula M=V*D
5. Use the scale to find the actual mass of the block
6. Calculate percent error using the formula ((actual-experimental)/actual)*100%=% error
7. If percent error is above 2%, repeat steps 1-6 again

Data:

Calculated (Experimental) Mass	Actual Mass	Percent Error
66.3g	67.8g	2.21%
94.3g	97.3g	3.08%
60.1g	63.3g	5.06%
35.5g	37.2g	4.57%

Conclusion: We were not able to reach the goal of a percent error below 2% and the most possible error of the lab was human error. After my lab partner and I were unable to successfully have an accurate mass after the first attempt, we quickly reached for another block and tried to speedily finish the lab to proceed to the next lab. Our frantic attitude to finish resulted in more inaccurate masses and our percent error increased higher and farther from 2%. I have learned that it is more important to attain accuracy rather than time. In the future, I will make sure to keep a steady pace in order to finish a lab with a successful and accurate result.