Density Simulation Name: ____________________

PhET
1. Define the following:
Mass: ______________________________________________________________________

Volume: ____________________________________________________________________

Density: ____________________________________________________________________

2. Density is a property of matter that can be calculated by dividing the mass of the substance
by its volume. Write this as a mathematical equation: ________________________________

3. Open up the Density simulator and click “Intro.” The substance that the simulation begins
with is wood, which appears to be in a tank of water. Describe everything you notice about the
wood. (Don’t touch any of the controls just yet.)
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4. Fill in the information:

Mass of Wood Volume of Wood

5. Using the equation from above, calculate the density of the wood. (The units will be kg/L.)
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6. Move either the mass or volume control to a different number. Record the information below:

Mass of Wood Volume of Wood

7. Again, use your equation and calculate the density. Don’t forget to include the units!
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8. Switch the substance to brick. Describe everything that you notice about the brick.
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9. Record the mass and volume of the brick in the table below. Use the equation to calculate
the density. Then, change the mass and volume, record those results and calculate the density.
Repeat that one more time.

Mass of Brick Volume of Brick Density of Brick

Density Simulation Name: ____________________
PhET

10. Switch the substance to styrofoam. What happened to the substance when you switched to
styrofoam?
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11. Record the mass and volume of the styrofoam in the table below. Use the equation to
calculate the density. Then, change the mass and volume, record those results and calculate
the density. Repeat that one more time.

Mass of Styrofoam Volume of Styrofoam Density of Styrofoam

Analysis/Conclusion Questions

1. For a particular substance, how did the density change as the mass and volume changed?
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Is density a physical property or a chemical property? Justify your answer with evidence.
___________________________________________________________________________

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3. Rank/list the substances from least dense to most dense. Back in the simulation, click on
the substances in that order. What do you notice when you do that?
___________________________________________________________________________
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4. Back in the simulation, change the substance to water. Based on observations only (no
calculations, where do you think that it fits into your rankings from question 3? Justify your
answer with evidence. _________________________________________________________

Inquiry: Your turn!

Play around with either creating a custom substance or use the “Compare” or “Mystery” tabs.
Below, tell me what you did and something new that you learned!
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