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derivethis
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Hi all! This is my first post here. I have a question regarding how to calculate the mass density of a steel sphere. Any help is much appreciated!
The mass of the sphere is equal to 8.4 grams. The volume of the sphere is equal to 1060 cm^3.
The mass was found during our lab experiment. The volume was calculated from the equation: V = (4/3) pi R^3. The diameter of the sphere was 12.65 cm. Therefore, I calculated the volume as follows: (4/3) pi (12.65/2)^3 = 1060 cm^3.
Mass density is equal to mass/volume; therefore it should be 8.4g/1060cm^3 = 0.0079gm/cm^3. However, I'm also supposed to calculate the percent error for my lab report, and the "true" value for the mass density of steel is given as 7.9 gm/cm^3. Percent error is equal to (|Accepted - Measured|)/Accepted * 100, which, in this case, would be (|7.9 - 0.0079|)/7.9 * 100 = 99.9%. This gives me a percent error of almost 100%! What am I doing wrong in my calculations? Please help! Thank you!
Homework Statement
The mass of the sphere is equal to 8.4 grams. The volume of the sphere is equal to 1060 cm^3.
Homework Equations
The mass was found during our lab experiment. The volume was calculated from the equation: V = (4/3) pi R^3. The diameter of the sphere was 12.65 cm. Therefore, I calculated the volume as follows: (4/3) pi (12.65/2)^3 = 1060 cm^3.
The Attempt at a Solution
Mass density is equal to mass/volume; therefore it should be 8.4g/1060cm^3 = 0.0079gm/cm^3. However, I'm also supposed to calculate the percent error for my lab report, and the "true" value for the mass density of steel is given as 7.9 gm/cm^3. Percent error is equal to (|Accepted - Measured|)/Accepted * 100, which, in this case, would be (|7.9 - 0.0079|)/7.9 * 100 = 99.9%. This gives me a percent error of almost 100%! What am I doing wrong in my calculations? Please help! Thank you!