Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I just would like ask if there is a procedure on characterizing the color of powder and the procedure for finding the density of powder. thanks!

I don't know much about color...may be you should google "color charts" for that, but I have worked with powder.

Things one usually want to know are: Chemical composition, particle size, and particle shape. One of the simple measurements that one can make includes grain density. For example one can weigh a scoop of powder and then put the powder in a graduated cylinder partially filled with water. After all the air is displaced, one can measure the increase in the water level as a measure of the volume of the water. This is a simple measurement, but there are some sources of error you can probably figure out.

As for the dry density of the powder.....one can put the weighed scoop of powder in a dry graduated cylinder and simply measure the volume that way. If one taps the cylinder, the volume of powder may either increase of decrease, depending on particle sizes and shapes.

Powder and ways to deal with powder are very important in industrial processes. I can imagine that on could do a very interesting research project (literature search and experiments) on poowder.

Hi!
I found some more interesting links regarding your question about powder-
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/c ... m03532.htm
Commercially, objects like these may be used, so perhaps you can look into how these instruments work, and simplify it for your own use:
http://www.hunterlab.com/measurementmet ... wder5.html
Hope this gives you a bit of a headstart, best of luck!