# Find the thickness of Aluminium Foil

1. ### Turvey

9
This question comes from my Grade 11 Univ. Physics Teacher.

Problem: To as many significant figures as you can justify, determine the thickness of the aluminium foil.

1. Purpose
2. Procedure
3. Calculations (Significant Figures)
4. Conclucion

Now I know that the density of Aluminium is 2.7g/cm^3.

And I also know that the formula for cm^3 is Length X Width X Thickness.

So if i find the mass, multiply it by the density, and divide it by the length and the width, will I come out with the thickness?

He said there are many ways to do this and this is the only one I could come up with so any input or help would be much appreciated.

Regards;

Patrick

2. ### NewScientist

246
Fold some foil over and measure with a micrometre and divide by number of folds

3. ### EnumaElish

2,483
I am not a physicist but the answer seems to be yes.

As a check-up, you can submerge it in water and measure displacement. Then work backwards from volume to thickness.

If you perform both methods, then you can have a range (low estimate and high estimate).

4. ### Turvey

9
This was my first idea, but then he said there are many other ways so I was hoping to think of something to do that others would not.

5. ### NewScientist

246
Measure the foil length and width and then place it into a full measuring cylinder and collect the displaced water. You now have the volume of foil, the length and width and so can find thickness

6. ### hypermorphism

506
density=mass/volume, so volume = mass/density, not density*mass. Though you'll need a very accurate scale or a sizeable amount of foil to measure the mass accurately.

7. ### Turvey

9
Well I just measured the foil and I came out with 2.7 grams.

Here is what I have so far:

Lenth: 30cm
Width: 21cm
Mass: 2.7g
Density: 2.7g/cm^3.

Am I missing any vital information?

Im sorry to ask for help with it comes to the forumla and such, but I'm really stuck on this one, been working on it for 2 days :P

I was told that you calculate the Area, (Length*Width*Height), then multiply together the Mass and the Density.

Ahh, I'm so confussled :(

*I got it. Thanks to all that helped, much appreciated :)*

Last edited: Sep 7, 2005