Density of Solids
Lab one
NAME ________________________
HOUSE ________________ PER ___
DUE ___________________________
QUESTION: What are the densities of different metals that are
different sizes and shapes?
MATERIALS: density kit with four rectangular solids, triple beam balance, ruler
PROCEDURE:
1. Without using the balance, put the rectangular solids (copper, aluminum, steel and
brass) in order from LEAST DENSE to MOST DENSE.
2. Put stars next to the solids you are SURE you have in the right order, and put
question marks next to the solids you are NOT SURE are in the right order.
LEAST DENSE ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› ---› MOST DENSE
______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
3. Calculate the volume of each solid and record.
4. Measure and record the mass of each solid.
5. Calculate and record the density of each solid - BUT BE CAREFUL - mass and volume
are in a different order on this data table than the intro lab.
6. BE SURE TO INCLUDE UNITS FOR EVERYTHING.
DATA:
METAL
LENGTH
WIDTH
HEIGHT
VOLUME
MASS
DENSITY
ANALYSIS:
1. Find the difference between your densities and the actual densities of these
metals and comment on your accuracy. Was your density too high or too low?
How do you know?
METAL
MY
DENSITY
ACTUAL
DENSITY
Aluminum
2.7 g/cm3
Copper
8.9 g/cm3
Steel
8.5 g/cm3
Brass
8.6 g/cm3
DIFFERENCE (+/-)
My Density - Actual
Density
COMMENTS
2. List THREE reasons you masses, volumes, and densities could be inaccurate.
3. Astronauts wear faceplates of gold in their helmets when they are on the
moon or outside of their spacecraft to protect them from radiation from the
sun. The density of gold is 19.3 g/cm3. Why do they use gold instead of one
of the four metals you tested today?
4. Gold jewelry comes in different karats. Look at this table:
GOLD
DENSITY
PRICE
9 karat
11 g/cm3
you don’t really love her, do you?
14 karat
13 g/cm3
nice, reasonably nice
18 karat
15.5 g/cm3
it’s true love
22 karat
17.8 g/cm3
woo - you must really love her
24 karat
19.3 g/cm3
WOWZA!!!
Why do you think higher karat gold is more expensive? How do you know?