Name: __________________________________________
Period: ___
Rock Density Lab
Introduction:
The order of the layers of the Earth are determined by their relative densities. In turn, the density of
each layer is determined by its composition. In the lab you will be calculating the density of various
types of rock and predicting how they would be arranged if they were liquid and could move.
Materials:
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Rocks
Calculator
Scale
Beaker
Graduated cylinder
Phase 1: Comparison
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Choose a random assortment of 7 rocks from the options at the front of the class. Only take one
type of rock at a time and return it when done so others can use it.
Using methods we have practiced, measure the mass and volume and use these to calculate the
density. Record these values in Table 1 below.
Table 1 – Density Comparison
Rock Name
Mass (g)
1) Did any of the rock densities surprise you? Which one(s)?
Volume (mL)
Density (g/mL)
2) Using the boxes below, label where you would predict each rock would float if they were melted
into a liquid.
Phase 2: Accuracy Comparison
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Choose a new rock that has two examples. Take both and repeat the steps from before with the
mass, volume, and density.
Table 2 – Accuracy Comparison
Rock Name
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Density (g/mL)
3) Were your calculated densities close? If they were not, why might this have happened?
4) How might these findings impact your ordering above in question #2?