3.1.1 Density

Density

Regular Objects

Steps to Determine Density:

1. Mass: Use a balance to measure the mass.
2. Volume: Calculate the volume by multiplying the dimensions

Irregular Objects

Steps to Determine Density:

1. Volume:

• Drop the object in a liquid.
• Measure the volume of the liquid displaced.

2. Mass: Use a balance to measure the mass.
3. Equipment: Use a eureka can for measuring the displaced liquid volume.

Liquids

Steps to Determine Density:

4. Measuring Volume:

• Place the liquid in a measuring cylinder and set the balance to zero.
• Read the volume on the measuring cylinder.

5. Mass: Use a balance to measure the mass.

Density depends on the spacing of the atoms in matter

• Solids and liquids have similar densities as the space between particles does not change significantly
• Usually liquids have a lower density than solids (main exception is ice and water)
• Gases have a far lower density
• The spacing between atoms increase x10, as the particles have lots of energy to move, so volume increases greatly and therefore the density decreases greatly compared to solids/liquids