Density, Size, & Floating

At this station you see how density and size are related.
1. First, using the formula for volume of spheres calculate the volume of the two spheres.
4 3
V= 3 πr

2. Next, find the mass of the two spheres. (Hint: use the small cup to hold the spheres still
on the scale, just remember to subtract the cup’s mass at the end.)

3. Now calculate the density of each set

4. Now place both sphere’s in water. Which one sinks, and which one floats?

5. If I told you that water has a density of 1g/cm​3​. Then use that to write a rule about what
things sink and what things float.
 Using Density to Identify Substances
At this station you will use your skills to calculate the density of different materials and
then use that physical property to identify it from the chart below. ​You must calculate and
match the density of ​8​ materials.

Material Name Density

Walnut 0.64 g/ml
Oak 0.75 g/ml
Maple 0.77 g/ml
Polypropylene 0.90 g/ml
Polyethylene 0.92 g/ml
Polyamide (Nylon) 1.15 g/ml
Acrylic 1.17 g/ml
Polyurethane 1.23 g/ml
Phenolic 1.32 g/ml
Polyvinylchloride 1.37 g/ml
Acetyl 1.42 g/ml
Teflon 2.20 g/ml
Aluminum 2.71 g/ml
Brass 8.56 g/ml
Iron 7.87 g/ml
Copper 8.91 g/ml
Name: ​Vi Period: ​B

Density, Size, & Floating

1. First, using the formula for volume of spheres calculate the volume of the two spheres.
V= 34 πr3
Small Sphere: 33.49cm 3 Big Sphere: 179.50cm 3

2. Next, find the mass of the two spheres. (Hint: use the small cup to hold the spheres still on the scale,
just remember to subtract the cup’s mass at the end.)

Small Sphere: 2.40g Big Sphere: 3.12g

3. Now calculate the density of each set

Small Sphere: 0.07g/cm 3 Big Sphere: 0.017g/cm 3

4. Now place both sphere’s in water. Which one sinks, and which one floats?
Both spheres float.

5. If I told you that water has a density of 1g/cm​3​. Then use that to write a rule about what things sink and
what things float.

Anything that has a density higher than 1g/cm 3 wouldn't be able to float on water.

Using Density to Identify Substances

ID Letter/Description Material Name
Wooden Cube 0.689g/cm 3
Iron 2.849/cm 3