Title: Measuring Mass and Volume
Unit: Density 7.1.2
Name: _____________________ Per: ___
Introduction:
Mass and volume are two very important ways to determine how much of a substance we have. Mass describes how
much matter is in an object. Volume describes how much space something takes up. Mass is measured on a triple
beam balance and is reported using the metric unit known as ‘gram.’ One gram is about equal to the mass of a large
paper clip.
Background Information:
Mass (the measure of how much matter is in an object) is measured in two ways:
1) Triple beam balance.
2) Digital scale.
Steps:
1. When you find the mass of an object, first
measure it on the triple-beam balance.
2. Then check your answer on the digital scale.
3. Record your answer and include grams for your units.
Volume (the measure of how much space something takes up) is measured in three ways for solids:
1) For cubic or rectangular shapes, use the formula “length x width x height” with the unit in cubic
centimeters (cm3).
Materials: Ruler, calculator
Steps:
1. Use a ruler to measure the length, width and height.
Be VERY precise. Record measurements in cm.
2. Use the formula V = l • w • h and record your answer with cm3 for units.
2) For irregularly shaped objects, use water displacement with the unit in milliliters (mL).
Materials: Lunch tray, cup w/ water, graduated cylinder
Steps:
1. Pour enough water from your cup into the graduated
cylinder to reach a height that will cover the sample. Read
and record the initial volume.
2. Slightly tilt the graduated cylinder and carefully place the
sample into the water. Avoid splashing.
3. Place the graduated cylinder upright on the table and get at eye-level to read the level of the water. If the
sample floats, use a pencil to gently push the top of the sample just under the surface
of the water (don’t submerge your pencil). Record the number of milliliters for this
final water level.
4. Find the amount of water displaced by subtracting the initial level of the water from
the final level. This volume equals the volume of the cylinder in cm 3 (we use cm3 for solids
and mL for liquids).
5. Record this volume in the chart on the activity sheet.
6. Remove the sample by pouring the water back into your cup and taking the sample out of
your graduated cylinder.
3) Use an overflow can for objects too big for a graduated cylinder with the unit in mL.
Materials: Lunch tray, cup with water, graduated cylinder, overflow can, beaker
Steps:
1. Fill the overflow can until full to overflowing with water. Catch the overflow and
wait until it stops running over. Discard overflow.
2. Place an empty beaker under the spout.
3. Gently lower the object to be measured into the overflow can and catch the
overflow.
4. Once the overflow has stopped, pour the overflow into the graduated cylinder
and measure. This is the volume of the object.
5. Remove the sample by pouring the water back into your
cup and taking the sample out of your overflow can. Refill
the water and repeat.
Read the bottom of
the meniscus. The
volume here is 6.3 mL.
Procedure:
Find the mass of 4 objects. Use the triple beam balance first then check your work with the digital scale. Record
the units in grams.
Object:
Triple Beam Balance
Digital Scale
Find the volume of 2 rectangular objects using the formula L x W x H = V. Record units in cm3.
Object:
Length (cm)
Width (cm)
Height (cm)
Volume (cm3)
Find the volume of 3 irregularly shaped objects using the water displacement method with a graduated cylinder.
Record your results in the data table below.
Object
Initial water line (mL) Final water line (mL) Volume (mL or cm3)
Find the volume of 2 irregularly shaped objects using the overflow can method with a graduated cylinder. Record
your results in the data table below.
Object
Volume (mL or cm3)
Object
Volume (mL or cm3)