How to Determine the Density of Methanol in g/ml

To determine the density of methanol in grams per milliliter (g/ml), you can follow these steps:

1. Gather Your Materials: You will need a precise scale, a graduated cylinder or a volumetric flask, and methanol.
2. Measure the Mass: Weigh an empty graduated cylinder or volumetric flask to get its mass. Then, fill it with a known volume of methanol. Weigh it again to obtain the combined mass of the container and methanol.
3. Calculate the Mass of Methanol: Subtract the mass of the empty container from the total mass to find the mass of the methanol alone.
4. Calculate the Density: Use the formula for density, which is: Density = Mass / Volume. Here, use the mass of the methanol you calculated and the volume of methanol you poured into the container (in ml).
5. Express the Density: Make sure your result is in g/ml, which is the standard unit for density.

For example, if you measured 100 ml of methanol and found its mass to be 79.9 grams, the calculation would be:

Density = 79.9 g / 100 ml = 0.799 g/ml

This method gives you the density of methanol at the temperature it was measured, usually around 20°C.