Determining Density Notes

Mass Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Mass is measure in grams. Mass is measured using a triple beam balance.

Mass vs. Weight Weight is a measure of the force of gravity.

Volume Volume is the amount of space occupied by a sample of matter. Volume is measured in liters (L), milliliters (ml), cubic centimeters (cm3), and cubic meters (m3). 1 ml = 1 cm3

Volume of Irregular Objects The volume of irregular objects is equal to the amount of water the object displaces.

What is Density?

What is Density? Density is the mass of a known volume of a substance. Density is measured in grams per cubic centimeters (g/cm3)

What is Density Density = Mass/Volume The density of water is 1.0 g/cm3

Density Cont’d If an object is more dense than the fluid in which it is immersed, the object sinks. If an object is less dense than the fluid in which it is immersed it floats to the surface. If the density of an object is equal to the density of the fluid in which it is immersed, the object floats at a constant level.

Less or More?!?

Example of Density Submarine – Density decreased when water is pumped out of floatation tanks and the overall mass of the submarine decreases = density decrease = submarine float to top. To dive, the submarine takes in water = increase mass = increase density = sinks.

Relationship of Mass and Density If the mass of an object is increased, the density of the object increases. If the mass of an object is decreased, the density of the object decreases.

Relationship of Volume and Density If the volume of an object is increased, the density of the object decreases. If the volume of an object is decreased, the density of the object increases.

DMV TRIANGLE Density = Mass / Volume Mass = Density x Volume

Lava Lamp Activity