How Thick Is The Zinc?

Chemistry












Objective:
The purpose of this experiment was to discover how much zinc actually coats a
galvanized washer. The thickness of the zinc coating was determined using a series of precise
measurements.

Procedure:
A single washer was chosen as the Master Washer from which dimensions were
measured to determine the surface area of the washer. The mass of this washer was
determined by finding the average of its weight from four different balances. Then, the washer
was placed in 3 M HCl to remove the coating of zinc. The weight of the zinc layer was
determined by finding the difference between the washers original weight and its weight after
the zinc layer was removed.
The density of the washers was determined using a linear fit line on a graph of volume
and density. Water was added to a graduated cylinder, and the volume and weight recorded.
Groups of five washers were added until there were thirty washers in the cylinder. The weight
and volume of the washers were recorded after each group. Then, the values were plotted on a
graph and a linear fit line was used to find the average density of the washers.

Data/Results:
Formulas:

Average Mass:

Standard Deviation:

Table 1: The weight of a single washer measured on four different balances.
Balance Mass of Master Washer (g)
4 4.621
5 4.622
6 4.623
7 4.627
Average 4.623
Standard Deviation 0.003

Average Mass
=

(4.627g + 4.623g + 4.622g + 4.621g) = 4.623g

= 0.0026g

Table 2: Multiple washers measured on balance 5.
Washer Mass of Washer (g)
1 5.311
2 5.588
3 5.535
4 4.665
5 4.622
Average 5.144
Standard Deviation 0.469

Average Mass
=

(5.311g + 5.588g + 5.535g + 4.665g + 4.622g) = 5.144g

= 0.469g

Table 3: Master Washer dimensions.
Outer Diameter (mm) 19.6
Inner Diameter (mm) 6.8
Thickness (mm) 0.8

Table 4: Mass of Master Washer before and after zinc removal.
Initial Mass (g) 4.623
Mass after HCl bath (g) 4.601
Mass of zinc (g) 0.022

Table 5: Zinc coating analysis
Total surface area (m
2
)
5.97 x

Coating volume (m
3
)
2.9 x

Coating Thickness (m)
1.01 x

Coating Thickness (atoms)

Surface Area:
[ (

]
SA = 597

= 5.97 x

Coating Volume:

V =

V = 0.0029

= 2.9 x

Coating Thickness (m):

T = 1.01 x

m
Coating Thickness (atoms):
Approximate diameter of a zinc atom: 2.66 x

Figure 1: Total volume vs. total mass for washers in graduated cylinder.


Conclusion:
The first part of the experiment was meant to measure the masses and volumes of
individual washers and examine the differences in the measurements. The standard deviation
of masses of different washers weighed on the same scale was 0.469 g, and the standard
deviation of the mass of one washer weighed on several different scales was 0.003 g. This data
indicates that while the masses of different washers may vary by a relatively large margin, the
mass of a single washer can be determined accurately. The volume of the washer was then
determined using geometric methods. However, these methods were not very exact because of
the washer not being an ideal cylinder and because of other impurities in the surface of the
washer. The washer was dissolved in acid to effectively remove 0.022 g of zinc coating,
although it is possible that we stopped the reaction before it could remove all the zinc. Using
y = 7.6925x + 0.9787
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
0 5 10 15 20 25
T
o
t
a
l

M
a
s
s

(
g
)

Volume (centimeters cubed)
Volume vs. Total Mass
these values, we calculated that the zinc coating on the washer was about 38,000 atoms thick.
However, the values used only apply to one specific washer, and as shown by measuring the
masses of several different washers; washers differ greatly and it is most likely beneficial to use
average values from a larger group of washers to determine average values for the thickness of
the zinc coating.
During the second part of the experiment, values for the average volume and mass of a
large group of washers were determined. These values were measured by putting water into a
large graduated cylinder, recording its mass and volume, and then adding washers in groups of
five and recording mass and volume after adding each group of washers. The density of the
washers was determined by plotting the values recorded for volume and mass and using a best
fit line to find a value for density. Calculating density in this manner is most likely more accurate
because the graduated cylinder used could be approximated to 0.25 mL and the balances can
only be approximated to 1 mg.

Discussion Questions:
1. The true value for the mass of a washer was 4.623 g and was determined by weighing
one washer on several different balances and finding the average of those values. The
average mass of a washer was 5.144 g and was determined by finding the average mass
of five washers weighed on one balance. The average mass of a washer was therefore
0.521 g away from the true value for the mass of a washer. This shows that there is a
relatively large variability from one washer to the next, and that any data calculated
using only one washer is likely unreliable.
2. If the washer had been removed from the acid before the reaction had been allowed to
take its full course, there would still be some amount of zinc coating left on the washer.
This would have made the washer heavier than completely without the zinc coating,
which in calculations would have made the value for the zinc thickness lower than the
true value for the thickness of the zinc coating.
3. The most precise graduated cylinder would be the one that allows for approximation to
the smallest degree. Therefore, the 25 mL graduated cylinder is the most precise
because it allows for approximation to 0.25 mL.
4. The average density of a washer was calculated using two methods: the mass and
geometric volume of one washer, and the average mass and volume by displacement of
thirty washers. Because of the variation between individual washers, the first method
would be more precise because it would be close to the correct value for one washer,
but not very close to the true value. The latter method is more accurate because it uses
averages from a larger group of washers to determine a value for density that is more
likely closer to the true value for the density of a washer.
5. The expected service life of the master washer for use in heavy industrial environments
is fifty years.