Investigating the Mass-Volume Relationship of Materials from Classic to Collaborative Cloud Experiment

Determining the density of a solid object by measuring mass and volume by water displacement is a classic introductory chemistry experiment. In this activity students performed these measurements on a variety of steel bolts to derive density graphically using a collaborative cloud-based application (Google Drive) that has student groups contributing data into a spreadsheet using an online form. The spreadsheet is projected in the laboratory as data is entered; and real-time graphing of the data (mass versus volume) is presented along with computations of the slope (density), y-intercept, and r-squared. Student groups calculate the same information from their individual groups by hand-drawn graphs and using a pre-built spreadsheet. They then compare their data to the larger class set plus standard values. As a post-laboratory assignment, each group of students must prepare a collaborative laboratory report using a pre-designed template addressing further analysis and questions in which each group member contributes.