How do you calculate the density of powder sample?

Answer 1

1st measure its mass using a calibrated electronic balance. 2nd if the powdered substance is insoluble in water, u can measure its volume by placing it into a measuring cylinder of 50cm^3 of water. Record the new reading. 3rd calculate the volume of the substance: new reading(cm^3) - 50(cm^3) 4th using the equation: Density = mass/volume, the density can be determined -- (not patskewl)

--- if you ask me, this answers the question perfectly (patskewl)

Answer 2

1. Apparent density:

- weight a graduated cyllinder

- put the sample in the graduated cyllinder up to a given volume (note this volume)

- weight the graduated cyllinder with the sample

- calculate the mass of the powder by difference

- the density is the ratio mass of the sample/volume of the sample

2. True density of a powder: you need a helium pycnometer.

Answer 3

You would check the density of a powdered solid the same as you would check the density of a liquid. Determine the mass and the volume of a sample, then divide mass/volume.

You said "relative" density but you did not say relative to what. If you wanted to determine the density of an insoluble powder relative to water, you would put the powder into the water. If the powder sinks, it is, relative to the water, denser.

If you wanted to compare two powders of similar grain size, you could sift them together and shake the mixture to see which powder rises to the top. The substance on the bottom is denser. You can try this with popcorn. When you shake the bag, the un-popped dense kernels fall to the bottom (along with all the salt).

Another method called "winnowing" compares particles of similar size and shape and the distance they fall out of an air or fluid stream. The denser particles deposit before the less dense particles. This method is the least reliable because of the interaction of non-related factors such as aerodynamic drag and particle size.

Answer 4

the better way is by using pycnometer