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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > October  >
Chemistry Everyday for Everyone
Using Data Pooling to Measure the Density of Sodas: An Introductory Discovery Experiment
Richard S. Herrick, Lisa P. Nestor, and David A. Benedetto
Department of Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA 01610
Cover
October 1999
Vol. 76 No. 10
p. 1411
Abstract
We have developed an experiment in which students measure the density of Coke and Diet Coke. In the first part of the experiment they make measurements using a buret, pipet, and graduated cylinder. The density data are pooled and plotted for each type of glassware. Students discover that Coke and Diet Coke have different densities. Discussion of the data also shows students the relative advantages and disadvantages of each type of apparatus and introduces them to the concept of error analysis. In the second half of the experiment each student uses a buret to accurately measure an assigned volume of either Coke or Diet Coke. Volumes in the range of 2 to 30 mL are assigned. These data are pooled. The slope of the mass-vs-volume plot provides an accurate measurement of the density and also shows that density is an intensive property. The difference in densities is due to the large amount of sugar in Coke compared to the relatively small amount of artificial sweetener in Diet Coke. Information read from soda cans is used to estimate the accuracy of these measurements. This experiment is used as the first experiment for college science students.
More Information
*  Citation
 Herrick, Richard S.; Nestor, Lisa P.; Benedetto, David A. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 1411.
*  Keywords
 Consumer Chemistry; Inquiry-Based / Discovery Method; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Solutions / Solvents
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 September 6, 1999
June 23, 2005
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