4. Place the foil square on the balance to determine its mass. Record the mass of the foil square in your data table.

5. You will need the density of aluminum foil to calculate the volume of the foil square from its mass. The density of aluminum foil is 2.71 g/cm³. Convert cm³ to mm³ and record the density of aluminum foil (in g/mm³) on the line provided below your data table.

6. To determine the volume of the foil square, divide its mass by its density in g/mm³. Record the volume in your data table.

7. To determine the thickness of the foil square, divide its volume by its area. Record this thickness in your data table.

8. Repeat Steps 3 through 7 using the 100-mm foil square.

9. Repeat Steps 3 through 7 using the 200-mm foil square.

10. Construct a graph of your data. Plot length on the horizontal axis and thickness on the vertical axis. Draw a straight line connecting all three points.

Analyze and Conclude

1. Measuring How many significant figures were there in your measurement of the length of each square of aluminum foil?

2. Using Graphs What effect, if any, did the length of the square have on your estimate of the thickness of the foil?

3. Comparing Which estimate of thickness was most precise? Explain your answer.

4. Controlling Variables What factors limited the precision of your measurements?

Go Further

Aluminum is composed of small particles. Each particle has a diameter of $2.86 \times {10}^{-10}$m. Calculate how many particles make up the thickness of the foil. Then, calculate the number of particles in the 50-mm square. Finally, determine the mass of one particle.

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