1. Density - the amount of mass a material has for a given volume

2. We can calculate density using the formula: .
Density= Mass/Volume or
D = m/v
A concrete cube will weigh more than a cube of air the same size because it is denser

3. Song on density formula

4. Density is measured in:
g/cm3
kg/m3
g/mL
kg/L

5. If each ball has the same mass, which box would weigh more? Why?
The box that has more balls has more mass per unit of volume. This property of matter is called density. The density of a material helps to distinguish it from other materials. Since mass is usually expressed in grams and volume in cubic centimeters, density is expressed in grams/cubic centimeter.

6. Copper atoms are smaller than aluminum atoms.
More copper atoms can fit in the cube.
Copper atoms are also heavier than aluminum atoms.
The combination of more and heavier atoms makes copper more dense than aluminum.
Lab: What is Density?

7. Arrangement of Atoms Less dense More dense
Less mass (matter) in a given volume
More mass (matter) in a given volume

8. Mass of Individual Atoms Affects Density
Some individual atoms or molecules have a greater mass than other atoms or molecules which
can cause a
substance to be
more dense

10. Density of water = 1 g/cm3 or 1 g/mL

11. Formula:
Problem:
Show Work:
Answer:
2. The density of water is 1 g/cm3. Will the ice cube sink or float in water?

12. Ice is less dense than water

14. Seven Layer Density Column
MaterialDensity in g/cm3 or g/mL Rubbing Alcohol .79 g/cm3 Lamp Oil .80 g/cm3 Baby Oil .83 g/cm3 Vegetable Oil .92 g/cm3 IceCube .92 g/cm3 Water 1.00 g/cm3 Milk 1.03 g/cm3 Dawn Dish Soap 1.06 g/cm3 Light Corn Syrup 1.33 g/cm3 Maple Syrup 1.37 g/cm3 Honey 1.42 g/cm3

15. How does temperature effect density?

16. DMV Triangle m is the top of the mountain

17. Warm Up A block of aluminum occupies a volume of 15.0
mL and weighs 40.5 g. What is its density?
Mercury metal is poured into a graduated
cylinder that holds exactly 22.5 mL. The
mercury used to fill the cylinder weighs 306 g.
Calculate the density of the mercury.
Use this format for both problems:
Formula:
Problem:
Show Work:
Density =

18. Warm Up
A rectangular solid of unknown density is 5 meters long, 2 meters high and 4 meters wide. The mass of this solid is 300 grams. What is its density?
Formula: Formula:
Problem: Problem:
Show Work: Show Work:
Volume = Density =

19. Warm Up The density of lead is 11 g/mL. What
would the volume of a g sample of
this metal be?
Formula:
Problem:
Show Work:
Density =

20. Taking Up Space! Volume Challenge #1
R. Bryant 2008 WSMS – Based on “Science Starters” by T. Trimpe at

21. Determine the volume of this cube.
5.7 cm
5.7 cm
5.7 cm

22. The answer is … Volume = length x width x height l = 5.7 cm w = 5.7 cm
h = 5.7 cm
V = 5.7 cm x 5.7 cm x 5.7 cm
V = cm3

23. Sink or Float?
Density #1
R. Bryant 2008 WSMS – Based on “Science Starters” by T. Trimpe at

24. Find the density of the box below.
Mass 456 g
12.5 cm
5.6 cm
5.6 cm

25. Volume = length x width x height
The solution …
Volume = length x width x height
V = 12.5 cm x 5.6 cm x 5.6 cm
V = 392 cm3
M = 456 g
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = 456 g ÷ 392 cm3
D = 1.16 g/cm3
**The box would sink!

26. Sink or Float?
Density #2
R. Bryant 2008 WSMS – Based on “Science Starters” by T. Trimpe at

27. Find the density of the box below.
Mass 386 g
23.5 cm
6.4 cm
7.8 cm

28. Volume = length x width x height
The solution …
Volume = length x width x height
V = 23.5 cm x 7.8 cm x 6.4 cm
V = cm3
M = 386 g
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = 386 g ÷ cm3
D = 0.33 g/cm3
**The box would float!

29. Sink or Float?
Density #3
R. Bryant 2008 WSMS – Based on “Science Starters” by T. Trimpe at

30. Find the density of the object below.
An object was dropped into a graduated cylinder that contained 20 mL. Determine the volume of that object.
The object was placed on a triple beam balance.
The mass
Image from
Image from

31. Volume = Volume of water & object – volume of water
The solution …
Volume = Volume of water & object – volume of water
Volume = 43 mL – 20 mL
V = 23 mL
M = g
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = g ÷ 23 mL
D = g/mL

32. Sink or Float?
Density #4
R. Bryant 2008 WSMS – Based on “Science Starters” by T. Trimpe at

33. Find the density of the object below.
The object was placed on a triple beam balance. 20
An object was dropped into a graduated cylinder that contained 40 mL. Determine the volume of that object.
5.4
Image from

34. Volume = Volume of water & object – volume of water
The solution …
Volume = Volume of water & object – volume of water
V = 65 mL – 40 mL
V = 25 mL
M = 25.4 g
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = 25.4 g ÷ 25 mL
D = 1.01 g/mL
** The object will sink!

35. Eureka video on volume and density:

36. Eureka Video on volume and density
Eureka Video on density and buoyancy
Dr Carlson on density (displacement)