Density Write down the stuff in red (at least.)

What the heck is density? Density is a measure of the “compactness” of particles Density is how much matter is crammed into a certain space. Density is NOT the same as weight.

Here’s an analogy Have you ever gone on vacation and been sucked into buying all of those tacky souvenirs? And then you pack to go home and your suitcase will barely hold it all?! Your suitcase has just become more dense than when you left home – it has more stuff crammed into the same space.

Give me some examples – I don’t get it. Batteries feel dense because they have a lot of metal packed tightly inside. A wooden block is about the same size (volume) as a 9 volt battery, but it feels much lighter because there are not as many particles inside. I’m more dense than You!

In MATH language… Density is the amount of mass an object has divided by its volume or Density = mass/volume

For Math Phobics…. A way to determine relative density it to do the old floater / sinker test. Water has a density of 1, so if something floats in water, it has a density < 1. If something sinks in water, it has a density > 1.

Do all rocks sink?

Does all wood float?

Back to the formula… I LOVE density

Back to the formula… Sometimes I even draw a heart and shoot an arrow through it when I am daydreaming about density.

Back to the formula… If you squint your eyes, this sorta looks like an m / v.

Back to the formula… Your mind is now forever corrupted – you won’t be able to see a cupid’s heart without thinking about density

Now, let’s put the formula to use… The m stands for mass. What is mass? Mass is the amount of particles in something. Here on earth, that means how much it weighs.

Now let’s put the formula to use, The V stands for volume. What is volume? Volume is the amount of space that something takes up.

Now let’s put the formula to use To find the mass, use a triple beam balance.

Now let’s put the formula to use… What is the measurement reading on this triple beam balance? grams = grams

Now let’s put the formula to use… To find the volume of a cubic shape, use a centimeter ruler. Notice that there are no markings for ½ or ¼ etc. Each little line is 0.1 centimeters.

Now let’s put the formula to use… What is the measurement reading on the length of this chicken bone? 2 big lines plus 3 little lines = 2.3 cm

Now let’s put the formula to use… To find the volume of something irregular (doesn’t have a perfect cubic shape) use the water displacement method with a graduated cylinder.

Now let’s put the formula to use, 1- Put some water in the graduated cylinder and make a note of how much is in there. 2- Drop in the thing you want to measure. 3- Make a note of the new water level reading. 4- Find the CHANGE in water level by subtracting.

Now let’s put the formula to use… What is the measurement reading on this graduated cylinder? Read from the bottom of the meniscus (the curved bubble thing) 52 milliliters or 52 ml

1 cubic centimeter = 1 cc = 1 cm 3 = 1 ml

Now let’s put the formula to use… Calculate the density of a whiteboard eraser

Now let’s put the formula to use… Calculate the density of something from the junk drawer.

Now let’s put the formula to use… Calculate the density of water. (Remember to find the mass of the container first.)