How To Find The Thickness Of Aluminum Foil....The Easy Way!!

If you were asked to determine the thickness of aluminum foil and you tried measuring it with a ruler...well, it's safe to say that would be extremely hard. In class we learned a much simpler and easier way of determining measurements through the use of different formulas.

1. We first started by measuring the mass of our aluminum foil in grams (g).
2. Next, we measured the side lengths of the piece of aluminum foil--length (l) & width (w)
3. We then used to different formulas- D = M/V (density = mass/volume) & V = l x w x h (volume = length x width x height)
4. We were given the estimated density of foil, which is 2.70 g/cm
5. Now all that's left to do is plug in your numbers! **listing your knowns and unknowns would be a good idea. It's an excellent way to see the problem clearly**

Ex.  D = 2.70 g/cm³
       M = 0.88 g
       V = ?
        l = 15.59 cm
       w = 17.00 cm
       h = ?

First step is to solve for V

D = M/V

2.70 g/cm³ = 0.88 g/V        <---- divide both sides by 0.88 g

0.326 cm ³ = V

Next solve for height (thickness)

V = l x w x h

0.326 cm³ = 15.59 cm x 17.00 cm x h         

0.326 cm³ = 265.03 cm² x h         <---- divide both sides by 265.03 cm²

h = 0.00123 cm       <---- write this number in the correct number of sig figs (in this case, 2)

h = 0.0012 cm        <---- write it in scientific notation

h = 1.2 x 10^-3cm   

So through these easy steps, you'll be well on your way to determining a close estimate to the thickness of a piece of aluminum foil! Hoorah!