A New Liquid Density Measurement Method Based on Elastic Spring Stretching

A simple method is described for measuring liquid density based on stretching of the spring and equilibrium of weight and elastic force. The method involves placing a container with liquid under test on the spring causing a stretch of the spring that is directly proportional to the weight of the liq...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics education 2021-05, Vol.56 (3), p.35026
Main Authors: Kovacevic, Milan S, Miloševic, Marko M, Cimbaljevic, Željko M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Containers
Density measurement
Ethanol
Liquids
Measurement methods
Measurement Techniques
Physics
Room temperature
Science Experiments
Science Instruction
Scientific Concepts
Stretching
Weight
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Summary:A simple method is described for measuring liquid density based on stretching of the spring and equilibrium of weight and elastic force. The method involves placing a container with liquid under test on the spring causing a stretch of the spring that is directly proportional to the weight of the liquid. With this technique, the liquid density can be determined without measuring its mass and volume, and it should help students comprehend the concept of density more easily. The design of the measuring setup in this study is made using tools and materials that are simple and easy to obtain, such as spring, ruler, and small plastic or metallic container (tube). Two liquids used to test the measuring method were ethanol and glycerol. A test showed that the density of the test liquids at room temperature could be measured with the relative uncertainty of 3%, hence the reliability of the described method was confirmed.
ISSN:0031-9120
1361-6552
DOI:10.1088/1361-6552/abebb9