1. 2.7 Density
Learning Goal Calculate the density of a substance; use the density to calculate the mass or volume of a substance.
Objects that sink in water are more dense than water; objects that float are less dense.

2. Densities of Common Substances

3. Calculating Density
Density compares the mass of an object to its volume.

4. Density of Solids
The density of a solid can be determined by dividing the mass of an object by its volume.

5. Density Using Volume Displacement
The density of the solid zinc object is calculated by dividing its mass by its displaced volume. To determine its displaced volume, submerge the solid in water so that it displaces water that is equal to its own volume. Density calculation:
45.0 mL − 35.5 mL = 9.5 mL = 9.5 cm3

6. Study Check
What is the density (g/cm3) of a 48.0–g sample of a metal if the level of water in a graduated cylinder rises from 25.0 mL to 33.0 mL after the metal is added?
33.0 mL
25.0 mL
object

7. Solution
What is the density (g/cm3) of a 48.0–g sample of a metal if the level of water in a graduated cylinder rises from 25.0 mL to 33.0 mL after the metal is added?

8. Problem Solving Using Density
If the volume and the density of a sample are known, the mass in grams of the sample can be calculated by using density as a conversion factor.
Core Chemistry Skill Using Density as a Conversion Factor

9. Problem Solving Using Density
Example: John took 2.0 teaspoons (tsp) of cough syrup. If the syrup had a density of 1.20 g/mL and there is 5.0 mL in 1 tsp, what was the mass, in grams, of the cough syrup? STEP 1 State the given and needed quantities. STEP 2 Write a plan to calculate the needed quantity. teaspoons milliliters grams
ANALYZE GIVEN NEED
THE PROBLEM tsp syrup
density of syrup (1.20 g/mL) grams of syrup
U.S.−Metric
Factor
Density
Factor

10. Problem Solving Using Density
John took 2.0 teaspoons (tsp) of cough syrup. If the syrup had a density of 1.20 g/mL and there is 5.0 mL in 1 tsp, what was the mass, in grams, of the cough syrup? STEP 3 Write the equalities and their conversion factors, including density.

11. Problem Solving Using Density
John took 2.0 teaspoons (tsp) of cough syrup. If the syrup had a density of 1.20 g/mL and there is 5.0 mL in 1 tsp, what was the mass, in grams, of the cough syrup? STEP 4 Set up the problem to calculate the needed quantity.

12. Specific Gravity Specific gravity (sp gr)
is a relationship between the density of a substance and the density of water.
is calculated by dividing the density of a sample by the density of water, which is 1.00 g/mL at 4 °C.
is a unitless quantity.
A substance with a specific gravity of 1.00 has the same numerical value as the density of water (1.00 g/mL).

13. Study Check
An unknown liquid has a density of 1.32 g/mL. What is the volume (mL) of a 14.7-g sample of the liquid?

14. Solution
An unknown liquid has a density of 1.32 g/mL. What is the volume (mL) of a 14.7-g sample of the liquid? STEP 1 State the given and needed quantities. STEP 2 Write a plan to calculate the needed quantity. grams milliliters
ANALYZE GIVEN NEED
THE PROBLEM g liquid
density of liquid (1.32 g/mL) volume of liquid
Density
Factor

15. Solution
An unknown liquid has a density of 1.32 g/mL. What is the volume (mL) of a 14.7-g sample of the liquid? STEP 3 Write the equalities and their conversion factors, including density.

16. Solution
An unknown liquid has a density of 1.32 g/mL. What is the volume (mL) of a 14.7-g sample of the liquid? STEP 4 Set up the problem to calculate the needed quantity.

17. Concept Map