Using Density to Determine Earth's Interior
TEACHER'S DIRECTIONS
Materials: Samples of iron, granite and basalt, Balance, beaker or graduate cylinder, water,
calculators
Ideal answers:
2b. Basalt's density should be between the density of iron and granite.
2c. Because the sample of iron had the highest density of the three samples, it most likely would
be in the core. The continental crust then would most likely be made of granite, as it was the
lowest of the densities. Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, which means it most likely
would be made of basalt.
Scoring Guide Rubric
Response
Exemplary
Competent
Minor flaws
Nearly Satisfactory
Fails to complete answers
Unable to begin effectively
No attempt
Criteria
Responses concise, accurate densities,
uses data to form answers, shows clear
understanding of procedures
Response is fairly clear, acceptable
density calculations, procedures
completed acceptably
Completes procedures satisfactorily,
some explanations unclear, conclusions
do not use data
Begins assignment satisfactorily, omits
significant steps in procedure,
inappropriate use of data
Experiment and explanations not clear,
major flaws in density procedure
Explanations, density procedures not
correct, does not understand how to do
experiment, not successfully completed
Does not begin or try to complete
Rating
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Using Density to Determine Earth's Interior
STUDENT WORKSHEET
1. Obtain a sample of iron and a sample of granite. Determine the density of each sample using
the formula; Density = Mass/ Volume
Iron density = __________________
Granite density = ___________________
2.a. Now, obtain a sample of basalt and determine the density of that sample.
Basalt density = ____________________
b. How does the density of basalt compare to iron and granite?
c. Using the densities you determined for iron, basalt and granite, which sample would mostly
likely be found in the core of the earth? Which one would be in continental crust? Ocean crust?