Name:________________________________________________ Date: _______Block:_____________
Lab #_____________
Background: Density is the ratio of an object’s mass to
its volume. Density is the term used to describe the relationship between the
mass of an object and its volume. Under given conditions of temperature and pressure, the density of
a material is constant. The density of any Earth material can be determined by measuring its mass
and volume and then using the formula for density in the Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRTs).
You can also find the percent deviation equation in the same place, which determines how well a
student’s measured and calculated values of density compare to the accepted value.
The density of different materials on earth is one of the most important properties of matter and
guides much of the principles of earth science. For this lab you must determine volume of ‘regular’
solids directly by measuring and of ‘irregular’ solids indirectly by submerging it in water. Gold has a
density of 19.0 g/ml, the average rock has a density of 3.0 g/ml, and water has a density of 1.0 g/ml.
1 g/ml means that 1 ml (or cm3) of water has a mass of 1 gram or 1 liter of water has a mass of 1kg.
Definitions: Define these words and draw a picture of each on a separate piece of paper (8pts).
Mass
Weight
Volume
Displacement
Pre-lab Questions: Record answers on answer sheet.
1. Which is more dense a marshmallow or hot chocolate?
2. Which is more dense water or oil?
3. What mass does 3.0ml of gold have (show work and units)?
Procedure: Record all measurements on the Report sheet.
1. Measure the mass of each object using the scale. Your answer should include units.
2a. Find the volume of each ‘regular’ object using a metric ruler and the equation for volume for a
rectangle (V= x
x
)
2b. Find the volume of each ‘irregular’ object by using the displacement
method. Don’t forget to read the volume of the liquid in the graduated
cylinder from the bottom of the meniscus.
3. Calculate the density of each of these objects.
4. Once you have calculated the densities of each of your objects obtain
the accepted densities for each item from the fabulous Ms. Sheehan.
5. Using your density values as the ‘measured’ values, calculate percent
deviation (error) for each item.
DO NOT FORGET TO SHOW ALL WORK AND UNITS!!
Adapted from Density of Solids Susan Sharp 2003
Report Sheet
All work must be shown including writing in equations, substituting values, and units from start to
finish (45pts).
Density
% Deviation
Object 1:
Object 1:
Mass=
Your value=
L=
W=
H=
V=
Accepted value=
% Deviation =
Density =
Object 2:
Object 2:
Mass=
Your value=
L=
W=
H=
V=
Accepted value=
% Deviation =
Density =
Object 3:
Object 3:
Mass=
Your value=
Volume of water (before)=
Volume of water (after)=
Accepted value=
% Deviation =
V=
Density =
Adapted from Density of Solids Susan Sharp 2003
Answer Sheet
Pre-lab Questions (8pts):
3.
1. ______________
2. ______________
Summary Questions (35 pts): Be sure to answer in complete sentences (4pts).
1. What is the effect of shape or size on the density of samples of the same material?
2. Object 1 is cut in half. What is the density of each half compared to the original
density of the object?
3. Of the three phases of matter, which phase has the greatest density for most
substances?
4. Water is an unusual Earth material because it is densest in which phase?
5. There is water in the pan of the scale as you measure the mass of a rock. If you
were to ignore the water, what would be the effect on your density calculation? Be
specific (it would make the density appear to be greater or smaller).
6. Explain which object caused the greatest % deviation for you and why you think
that occurred.
7. In your own words carefully describe the procedure you might use to measure the
density of air.
Don’t forget your vocabulary!
Adapted from Density of Solids Susan Sharp 2003