Republic of the Philippines

Mindanao State University

ILIGAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
College of Engineering and Technology
Andres Bonifacio Avenue, Tibanga, 9200 Iligan City

Department of Materials and Resources Engineering and Technology

A Written Report on the

Evaluation of the Density Measurement of Container Glass using Archimedes Method
and Pycnometer Method

Submitted by:

Alterado, Allyssa Danielle C.

Castillon, Jo Zhimro B.

Submitted to:

Prof. Ruben Menchavez

CER139.1 Instructor

June 30, 2023

ABSTRACT

Container glass is a widely used material known for its strength, transparency,
chemical resistance, and thermal stability. The measurement of density in container glass is
crucial for ensuring product quality and performance. The study focuses on evaluating the
density distribution among different sections of container glass and explores the significance
of density measurement by comparing two commonly used methods: the Archimedes method
and the pycnometer method. The researchers conducted an experiment on a The BaR Pink
Grapefruit container glass bottle, dividing it into top, middle, and bottom sections, and
employing density measurement using both methods. Using a two-way ANOVA, a significant
difference in density distribution among sections of container glass was observed. However,
the results also showed that there is no significant difference in densities between the two
measurement methods. Based on these findings, it is concluded that both methods can be
considered interchangeable for measuring the density of container glass.

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INTRODUCTION

Container glass is manufactured through a carefully controlled process that involves

melting a mixture of raw materials, such as silica, soda ash, and limestone, at high
temperatures. This molten glass is then formed into the desired shape through techniques like
blowing, pressing, or molding. The resulting glass containers possess a unique combination
of properties, including strength, transparency, chemical resistance, and thermal stability.

The measurement of density in container glass plays a crucial role in ensuring product
quality, performance, and functionality. Density serves as a fundamental parameter that
reflects the compactness and composition of the glass material, providing valuable insights
into its structural integrity and physical properties. By accurately quantifying the density of
container glass, manufacturers can assess the homogeneity, strength, and durability of the
finished product, allowing them to meet stringent industry standards and deliver reliable
packaging solutions. Furthermore, density measurements assist in optimizing manufacturing
processes, monitoring material consistency, and facilitating quality control procedures. This
introduction sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the significance and
applications of density measurement in the realm of container glass.

Two commonly employed methods of density measurement are the Archimedes

method and the pycnometer method. The Archimedes method, based on the principles
established by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, involves measuring the
displacement of a fluid caused by an immersed object. By submerging the sample in a known
fluid and observing the resulting buoyant force, the density of the sample can be determined.
This method is particularly useful for irregularly shaped objects or samples that cannot be
easily measured using traditional techniques. It finds wide application in industries such as
metallurgy, geology, and materials science. On the other hand, the pycnometer method relies
on the use of a specialized vessel called a pycnometer to measure the volume and mass of a
sample. The pycnometer is filled with a liquid, and the sample is introduced into it. The
change in liquid volume due to the addition of the sample is measured, along with the mass of
the sample. These measurements allow for the calculation of the density of the sample. The
pycnometer method is often preferred when working with liquid or fine powder samples,
offering precise and accurate density measurements.

The objective of this study is to measure the density of the different parts of container
glass using the Archimedes and the pycnometer method. By employing these methods, the
researchers aim to obtain comprehensive data on the density distribution within container
glass. The study seeks to determine whether container glass exhibits uniform density
throughout its body. Additionally, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding
of the material's properties and provide insights for improving container glass manufacturing
processes.

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

In this experiment, the researchers utilized a 700ml container glass bottle of The BaR
Pink Grapefruit (Figure 1). Prior to the experiment, the glass bottle was thoroughly cleaned
and dried. It was then measured and divided into three distinct sections: the top, middle, and
bottom. To ensure accurate identification, the sections were marked accordingly. An angle
grinder was then used to cut the bottle along the marked lines (Figure 2). Subsequently, each
of the sections was further divided into three equal pieces and labeled (Figure 3). Specifically,
the top section was denoted as T1, T2, and T3, while the middle section was identified as M1,
M2, and M3. Lastly, the bottom section was appropriately labeled as B1, B2, and B3,
respectively.

Figure 1. Container glass used. Figure 2. Cutting of container glass using angle grinder.

M2 M3 T1

M1 T3

B1 B2 B3

T2

Figure 3. Top, middle, and bottom pieces of cut container glass.

Following the cutting process, each individual piece was carefully weighed using a
digital weighing scale in preparation for density measurement. To determine the density of
each piece, the Archimedes method was employed as the initial measurement technique. To
facilitate this measurement, a makeshift Archimedes method setup was utilized (Figure 4).
The setup comprised a plastic container with a downward-angled plastic straw serving as the
spout. Below the spout, a smaller plastic basin was positioned to catch any spilled water. A
weighing scale was put below the basin in order to determine the weight of the spilled water.

The procedure began by filling the plastic container with water, allowing it to drain
until no more water escaped from the spout. This ensured that the container reached a state of
equilibrium before the density measurement took place. To submerge the individual container
glass pieces, a stick with a thread attached to it was utilized. Each cut container glass piece
was carefully attached to the thread and submerged into the plastic container filled with

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water. As each piece was immersed, any water that spilled from the spout was collected and
measured for data recording. This process allowed for the precise determination of the
displaced water volume, aiding in the calculation of the density of each glass piece.

Figure 4. Archimedes method setup. Figure 5. Grinding of container glass pieces.

Figure 6. Sieving with a 100 mesh screen. Figure 7. Weighing of sieved powders.

After performing the Archimedes method of density measurement, the pycnometer

method was then employed. Initially, the container glass pieces underwent a thorough
cleaning and drying process to prepare them for grinding. Using a marble mortar and pestle,
each piece was individually ground, resulting in container glass powders (Figure 5). These
powders were then carefully placed into labeled plastic containers, in preparation of the
subsequent sieving process. During the sieving process, a 100 mesh screen was used to
achieve a consistent and desired particle size distribution (Figure 6). The container glass
powders were carefully sieved through the screen, effectively separating larger particles from
the desired finer powder. After sieving, approximately 10 grams of the sieved glass powder
was precisely weighed and placed into a labeled plastic container (Figure 7). Each container
was labeled to indicate the specific part of the glass it was from. This labeling system allowed
for easy identification and categorization of the glass powder samples based on their
respective parts.

To proceed with density measurement using the pycnometer method, several weight
measurements were taken (Figure 8). Firstly, the weight of the empty pycnometer was
measured. Subsequently, the weight of the pycnometer filled with water was determined.

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Next, the weight of the respective container glass powders was measured after they were
placed inside the pycnometer. Finally, the weight of the pycnometer containing both the glass
powder and water was recorded. These measurements were crucial for calculating the density
of the glass powders using the pycnometer method.

Figure 8. Pycnometer method setup.

EVALUATION

In determining the density from the data obtained, the following equation was used:

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒

𝑝 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
(eqn. 1 for Archimedes method)

𝑤2−𝑤1
(𝑤2−𝑤1)−(𝑤3−𝑤4)
(eqn. 2 for pycnometer method)

w1 - pycnometer
w2 - pycnometer + dry powder
w3 - pycnometer + dry powder + water
w4 - pycnometer + water

Following the gathering of density measurements for all three layers of the container
glass (top, middle, and bottom), a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed.
The goal of this ANOVA was to look for any differences in the mean of the quantitative
variable while taking into account the levels of two categorical variables: the densities
obtained using the Archimedes method and the pycnometer method. This comparative
analysis allowed for the formulation of conclusions regarding the information pertaining to
the glass samples, thereby contributing to a thorough understanding of the experimental
findings.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The objective of this study was to calculate the mass density of a liquid using the
mass-volume ratio, employing Archimedes' principle and the pycnometer method.
Archimedes' principle states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force
equal to the weight of the displaced fluid, known as the buoyant force. The pycnometer
method utilizes a container with a specific volume to determine the density of a liquid or
powder.

The density results obtained for The BaR Pink Grapefruit container glass bottle using
Archimedes' principle are presented in Table 1. Table 2 displays the calculated density using
the pycnometer method. Figure 1 illustrates the average density obtained from both
measurement methods, considering the top, middle, and bottom sections of the glass bottle.

Table 1. Archimedes Method Data on the Average Density of the Different Sections of The
BaR Container Glass.

Table 2. Pycnometer Method Data on the Average Density of the Different Sections of The
BaR Container Glass.

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 (a) (b)

Figure 9. (a) Graph of average density, (b) data of the average density of each glass part.

Figures 9(a) and 9(b) visually demonstrate a notable difference in the average density
obtained through different methods. The density measurements obtained using the
Archimedes principle method revealed values of 2.63 for the top section, 2.67 for the middle
section, and 2.91 for the bottom section. Conversely, the pycnometer method yielded
densities of 2.32 for the top section, 2.25 for the middle section, and 2.3 for the bottom
section. These results clearly indicate a significant difference in average density across the
various sections of the container glass.

Figure 10. Two-way ANOVA Analysis of The BaR Container Glass Density.

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 Two factors were analyzed using the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA): the
difference between the two different methods of density measurement and the difference of
the density distribution between different sections of container glass.

In the analysis of the first factor using a two-way ANOVA (Figure 10), it was found
that the calculated F statistical value was lower than the critical F value, leading to the
acceptance of the null hypothesis. This indicates that there is no significant difference in
densities when comparing the Archimedes method and the pycnometer method for measuring
the density of container glass. The obtained p-value, which was greater than 0.05, further
supports this conclusion, suggesting that the differences observed in density measurements
are not statistically significant. Therefore, based on the statistical analysis, it can be
concluded that the two density measurement methods yield similar results and can be
considered interchangeable for measuring the density of container glass.

On the other hand, in the analysis of the second factor, the calculated F statistical
value was higher than the critical F value, and the p-value was found to be less than 0.05.
These results indicate a statistically significant difference, leading to the rejection of the null
hypothesis. Therefore, we can conclude that there is indeed a significant difference or
interaction effect among the different sections of container glass in terms of density
distribution when comparing the methods used for measurement.

In summary, when the calculated F statistic is higher than the critical F value and the
p-value is less than 0.05 in a two-way ANOVA, it indicates a statistically significant
difference or interaction effect. Thus, we reject the null hypothesis.

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CONCLUSION

In this study, the density of different parts of a container glass bottle was measured
using the Archimedes method and the pycnometer method. The objective was to determine
the density distribution within the container glass and assess whether it exhibits uniform
density throughout its body and to compare the results from the two density measurement
methods. The analysis of the first factor, comparing the two measurement methods, indicated
that there is no significant difference in densities between the Archimedes and pycnometer
methods. However, in the analysis of the second factor, which focused on the density
distribution among different sections of container glass, a significant difference was
observed. This indicates a statistically significant difference or interaction effect among the
sections of container glass in terms of density distribution when comparing the measurement
methods.

In summary, the study on density measurement in container glass offers several key
recommendations. First, it is advisable to conduct further investigations using a larger sample
size and different types of container glass to validate the findings and ensure their
applicability in diverse scenarios. This will enhance the credibility and generalizability of the
results obtained. Second, researchers and practitioners should carefully select the appropriate
density measurement method (Archimedes or pycnometer) based on the specific requirements
of their study or application, taking into account factors such as sample type, shape, and
available equipment. This selection will ensure accurate and reliable density measurements.
Third, it is recommended to incorporate density measurements into the quality control
procedures of container glass manufacturing processes. By assessing the homogeneity,
strength, and durability of finished products through density analysis, manufacturers can meet
industry standards and deliver reliable packaging solutions. Fourth, utilizing density
measurements can optimize manufacturing processes, monitor material consistency, and
enhance quality control standards. Identifying areas for improvement based on density data
can lead to more efficient production processes and higher-quality container glass. Finally,
future research should focus on exploring the relationship between density and other physical
or mechanical properties of container glass, such as transparency, chemical resistance, and
thermal stability. Investigating these connections can facilitate the development of improved
materials and manufacturing techniques in the container glass industry. By implementing
these recommendations, a deeper understanding of density measurement in container glass
can be achieved, empowering manufacturers to enhance product quality, optimize processes,
and meet the evolving demands of the industry.

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