Lab#4

Statement:
To determine the densities of given rock samples.

Scope:
This method is used for the calculation of rock densities.

Apparatus:

Weight balance sensitive up to 0.001 gm.

Vernier caliper
Graduated Beaker
Distilled water

Related theory:
Density:
The mass density or density of a material is defined as its mass per unit volume.
The symbol most often used for density is .
=m/v
Units:
The SI unit of density is kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m3). It is also frequently represented in the
cgs unit of grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3).
DENSITIES OF SOME IMPORTANT ROCKS:
Rock

Density (g/cm3)

Coal

1.1 - 1.4

Gneiss

2.6 - 2.9

Granite

2.6 - 2.7

Gypsum

2.3 - 2.8

Limestone

2.3 - 2.7

Rock salt

2.5 - 2.6

Sandstone

2.2 - 2.8

Shale

2.4 - 2.8

Metamorphic Rocks

2.6 - 3.0

PROCEDURE FOR REGULAR SHAPE:

Calculate the mass of given rock by weight balance.

Then find the diameter and length of the sample using vernier calipers.
Take at least three readings and then take mean of them.
Then find the volume using the relation V=r2L.
Then find the density by dividing mass by volume.

PROCEDURE FOR IRREGULAR SHAPE:

Calculate the mass of given rock sample by weighing balance.

Take a graduated beaker and add distilled water in it.
Put the irregular sample in it such that it completely dips in water.
Note the rise in water level in beaker that will be volume of irregular of given rock
sample.
Calculate the density by dividing mass by calculated volume.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATION:

For Regular shape (Core Sample):-

Sample

Muree

Mass

Diameter

Radius

Length

Volume

Density

(g)

(cm)

(cm)

(cm)

(cm3)

(g/cm3)

173

5.43

2.715

3.01

5.42

2.71

3.01

5.41

2.70

3.01

Mean=2.70

Mean=3.01

5.41

2.70

11.89

5.40

2.70

11.88

5.42

2.71

11.89

Mean=2.70

Mean=11.8

siltstone

Abottabad
Slate

680

68.93

2.50

272.07

2.49

For Irregular shape (Core Sample):Sample

Mass(g)

Density
(g/cm3)

60

Initial height height

of Volume
of water(ml)
water
after displaced(ml)
pacing
rock(ml)
100
125
25

Khewra
sandstone(1)
Khewra
sandstone(2)
Sandstone(3)
Sandstone(4)
Granite(1)
Granite(2)
Andesite
Abbotabbad
phylite(1)
Abbotabbad
phylite(2)
Abbotabbad
dolomite
Abbotabbad
dolomite(2)
Quartzite

66

100

130

30

2.2

46
128
45
75
271
78

150
150
150
150
400
150

172
200
170
180
500
185

22
50
20
30
100
35

2.09
2.56
2.25
2.5
2.71
2.22

99

150

195

45

2.2

71

150

175

25

2.84

39

150

168

18

2.16

91

150

180

30

3.03

2.4

Precautions:
If pore are present in rock sample then use wax before dipping in the water.

Comments:
Samples of sandstone have different densities which may be due that they are from different
locations and different weathering conditions.