1. Density Notes Science Tennessee SPI Objective:
Apply an equation to determine the density of an object based on its mass and volume.
Check for Understanding
Calculate the density of various objects.
Essential Question(s)
1) What is density?
2) What is mass, and how do I measure it?
3) What is volume, and how do I measure it?
4) How do I calculate density?
5) How do I multiply and divide with decimals without
a calculator?

2. SPI 0807.9.7 Notes Density Demonstration: What is density?
Science
What is density?
Density is the amount of matter (mass)
you have crammed in a given space (volume)
Reminder: mass is how much matter is in an object
The unit for mass is grams (mg or g or kg)
Reminder: volume is how much space it takes up (size)
Unit for solid volume is cubic meters (cm3 or m3 or km3)
Unit for liquid volume is liters (mL or L or kL)
Demonstration:
Demonstrate with wadded up paper in a trash can
Can about 1/4 full-explain that the density is low
Can about ¾ full…explain that the density has increased
Explain-density can be increased by putting in more paper

3. SPI 0807.9.7 Density Notes Density Example:
Science
Density Example:
Here are two objects that are the same size.
(1) Bowling Ball and (2) Soccer Ball
One of these objects contains more matter (mass).
With two same-sized objects like this (volume), the object with more mass has greater density than the other object.
Less Dense
More Dense

4. Example: Oil floats on top of water
Density in Liquids
Lower density liquids will float on top
Higher density liquids with sink downward
Designation
Substance
Density
Liquid 01
Water
1.0 g/mL
Liquid 02
Liquid Mercury
13.6 g/mL
Liquid 03
Turpentine
0.8 g/mL
Example: Oil floats on top of water
1) Identify which liquids would occupy levels A, B, and C
according to their density.
Level C
Level B
Level A
SPI (Density)
ANSWERS
Turpentine (0.8 g/mL)
Water (1.0 g/mL)
Mercury (13.6 g/mL)

5. View this YouTube Video Clip: Link: 7-Layer Density Column
SPI
Density
Notes
Science
Density In Liquids
Lower density liquids float on top of liquids with higher density
Higher density liquids will sink below lower density liquids
View this YouTube Video Clip:
Link: 7-Layer Density Column

6. or or Calculating density divide the mass by the volume of the object
Density Formula
Density = mass divided by volume M V
D =
D= M V or or
Density = volume mass
Dividend is the number being divided.
In this case it will be number for mass.
Math Vocab:
Dividend and Divisor
Divisor is a number that divides into another number
In this case…it will be the number for volume.
Memory Trick
Soon you will get your first driver’s license (scary!)
The place where you receive your driver’s permit is
called the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
Think of DMV for density
D= M V

7. Solve the Density Problem Shown Below
Go ahead and use a calculator (for now)
Round to the tenths place
1) Calculate the density of an object with a mass of 25g and a volume of 10cm3
Example: 25 (mass) divided by 10 (volume)
Units…
g/cm3
Density=
Answer
25 g ÷ 10 cm3 = 2.5 g/cm3
Don't Forget Your Units!
Example: grams/centimeter cubed
Written like this…g/cm3

8. Solve the Density Problem Shown Below
Go ahead and use a calculator (for now)
Round to the hundredths place
2) Calculate the density of an object with a mass of 45kg and a volume of 43m3
Example: 45 (mass) divided by 43 (volume)
Units…
kg/m3
Density=
Answer
45 kg ÷ 43 m3 = kg/m3
Don't Forget Your Units!
Example: kilograms/meters cubed
Written like this…kg/m3

9. Solve the Density Problem Shown Below
Go ahead and use a calculator (for now)
Round to the hundredths place
3) Calculate the density of an object with a mass of 350g and a volume of 95cm3
Example: 350 (mass) divided by 95 (volume)
Units…
g/cm3
Density=
Answer
350 g ÷ 95 cm3 = g/cm3
Don't Forget Your Units!
Example: grams/centimeters cubed
Written like this…g/cm3

10. SPI 0807.9.7 Density Notes 4 g/cm3 2.71 g/cm3 3.6 g/cm3 4.6 g/cm3
Which cube below has the GREATEST density?
Again…go ahead and use a calculator (for now)
Notes
Science
Mass: 12g
Volume: 3cm3
Mass: 19g
Volume: 7cm3
(A)
(B)
4 g/cm3
2.71 g/cm3
Mass: 11g
Volume: 3cm3
Mass: 23g
Volume: 5cm3
(C)
(D)
3.6 g/cm3
4.6 g/cm3

11. Density = Mass divided by volume Volume = Density divides Mass
SPI
Density
Notes
Science
Note:
The density formula can be rearranged to find the mass or volume.
Density = Mass divided by volume M V D= or
Mass = Volume x Density
m = V x D or M D V=
Volume = Density divides Mass or
Memory Trick:
DMV to MVD to VDM
A) Start with DMV for density
B) Move the first letter (D) to the end
C) Now you have MVD for mass (think M for multiply!)
D) Move the first letter (M) to the end
E) Now you have VDM for volume

12. 1) DMV 2) MVD 3) VDM SPI 0807.9.7 Density Science Notes Memory Trick:
DMV to MVD to VDM
Now let’s practice this with the small dry-erase boards
1) DMV
Question: What does DMV stand for?
2) MVD
Question: What does MVD stand for?
Remember: Think M for multiply!
3) VDM
Question: What does VDM stand for?