Lab: Denisty – Solids and Liquids
Part 1: Density
Background Information: The density of an object is how much “stuff”, or molecules, a substance is made of. Density is how tightly packed the molecules are. To calculate the density of a substance we need to know the mass (weight) of the substance and the volume (how much space) of the substance. Mass is determined by weighing an object. Volume of regular shaped objects is calculated by measuring length (L), width (W), and height (H) in centimeters (cm) and then multiplying them. V = L x W x H. Density is calculated by dividing mass (in grams) by the volume (in milliliters or cm
3
). D = M/V.
Part 2: Density of a regular shaped solid
Procedure: Use the materials at your station to complete the data table.
1. Measure the length of the object and record. Length = .
2. Measure the width of the object and record. Width = .
3. Measure the height of the object and record. Height = .
4. Calculate volume: V = L x W x H Volume = .
5. Use the scale to determine the mass of your object. Mass = .
6. Calculate the density of the object: D = M / V Density = .
Part 3: Density of a liquid
Procedure: Use the materials at your station to complete the data table.
1. Write an answer to this problem: A student has to weigh a liquid. Since the liquid can not be poured on the scale how can the liquid be weighed? 2. Determine the mass of the bottle only and record. Bottle Mass = .
3. Fill the bottle with water to the level indicated.
4. Determine the mass of the bottle and the water. Bottle and water mass =
5. Calculate the mass of the water. Water Mass =
6. Use the measuring container to determine the volume of the water.
Volume of water =
7. Calculate the density of the water. D = M / V Density of water =