Determination of the density of air

Principle

The density of gases can, in principle, be determined in the same way as for solid bodies and liquids: by measuring the mass, the volume and forming the quotient.

Since the density of gases is much less than that of solid bodies or liquids, special care must be taken in making the measurements. 

In this experiment the mass of air is measured by determining the (small) difference of two relatively large masses (weight-of-air globe with and without air). For this reason a balance must be used which has a resolution of at least 0.01 g. 

The volume of air is determined from the displacement of a quantity of water, whose volume is measured.

Task

Does air have a density?

1. Do gases have a density?
2. Is it possible to determine the density of air in a similar way to that of a solid body or a liquid?

In this experiment, you will determine the mass of a contained quantity of air as well as its volume and you will calculate the density of air.

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