Question

Describe a procedure that the student would have used to determine the volume of

the coins. Mention the apparatus he would have used as well as the precautions he
would have taken to ensure that his volume measurement was as accurate as possible."

Answer 1

To determine the volume of a coin, a student can measure water displacement in a graduated cylinder, subtract the initial water volume from the displaced water volume, and take precautions for accurate readings.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the volume of coins, a student might use a method based on Archimedes' principle, which involves measuring the displacement of water. The procedure would include the following steps:

1. First, use a graduated cylinder to measure a certain volume of water and record this initial volume.
2. Subsequently, gently drop the coin into the cylinder without splashing and measure the new water level, which will have increased due to displacement.
3. The volume of the coin is then calculated by subtracting the initial water volume from the new water volume.

Precautions to ensure accuracy would include ensuring that the coin is completely submerged without touching the sides of the cylinder, using a cylinder with a fine scale for more precise readings, and making sure the measurements are taken at eye level to avoid parallax error. An analytical balance might be used to weigh the coin, both in air and while submerged in liquid, to calculate its density if required.