Measurement and Density The objectives of this experiment were to determine whether there is a difference between the density of Coke and Diet Coke. We also looked at the significant difference of the average densities within each tool used to measure the volume of the sample. Within this experiment we were able to see the impacts of different kinds of error. Random error is inevitable and causes measurements to be a little high and a little low. Averaging several measurements can reduce random error. Systematic errors are caused by equipment malfunction. These cause readings to be always high or always low. This can be corrected by using a different experimental setup. Gross errors are mistakes made by the student that could cause the measurement to deviate from the mean of other measurements.
My hypothesis was that there would not be a difference in the densities of Coke and Diet Coke. Since the only difference between Coke and Diet Coke is the sugar in Coke compared to the sweeteners in Diet Coke I did not think there would be a significant difference between the two drinks. The data proved my hypothesis wrong. These sweeteners must have a different mass. From the results of my experimental data, the density of Coke is slightly higher than Diet Coke. The density of Coke averages out to be between 1.0-1.03 g/mL. The density of Diet Coke averages out to be between 0.95-1.00 g/mL.
There was a difference in the densities of Coke and Diet Coke between the glassware. The Volumetric Pipette and the Burette showed the highest densities and the Graduated Cylinder measured slightly lower than the two. The most precise instrument was the Pipette. The most accurate instrument was likely the Pipette as well.
The density of the Coke/Diet Coke would not have changed if the volume were changed while the temperature and pressure remained the same for each measurement. If the volume went up the mass would go up as well, keeping the density the same. In contrast, if the temperature of the Coke/Diet Coke is changed between measurements but the mass and pressure remained the same, the density of the Coke/Diet Coke would change. If the temperature went up the volume would increase to counteract the change. This would cause the density to be lower due to the larger value for the volume and the same value for the mass.

For the second part of our experiment we calculated the change in temperature by subtracting the lowest temperature from the highest temperature T=Tmax-Tmin.
It was necessary to wait 90 seconds before beginning a new set of measurements of your hand temperature so that the measuring tool could cool off from the last round and present precise data. The initial temperature of the air between the three different sets of measurements increased by 1C every round. This was probably due to the heat created by using the measuring tool. The initial temperature of my hand between the three different sets of measurements stayed around 32C. This was most likely because 32C was the maximum temperature that could be produced by my hand.
I think that the precision of the three different measurements was high. All three sets of measurements are very similar.
I have learned how to compare the precision and accuracy of my data. I also learned to compare data between different measuring tools and how to determine which tool is most precise. For my first experiment I most likely had gross errors. I may not have read the measuring tools correctly for part 1 and I may not have waited long enough to run each set for part 2. Random error may have occurred due to the different instrument the lab was using. I would improve my next experiment by slowing down what I am doing to make sure I don’t miss any steps.