1. Either bring your own aluminum can or use the pieces provided in the lab. You will need a piece of scrap aluminum about 7.5 cm by 5.0 cm that weighs 1.0 to 1.1 grams.
2. Scrape both sides of the piece (using sandpaper) to remove the paint and lacquer (this will speed the dissolving process GREATLY, and give a more accurate starting mass).
3. Weigh the cleaned piece of aluminum on the analytical balance to the nearest milligram.
4. Cut the weighed piece of aluminum into small pieces (for more rapid dissolving) and place the pieces in a 250-mL beaker.