TOPIC 3: Density

Lesson Objectives

N A G
R
o Objectives
Describe how to use a measuring cylinder to measure the volume of a
1
liquid or finding the volume of a solid by displacement
Define density as mass per unit volume; recall and use the equation

2 mass m
density = or ρ=
volume v

3 Describe how to determine the density of a liquid,

4 Describe how to determine the density of a regularly shaped solid

Describe how to determine the density of an irregularly shaped solid

which sinks in a liquid (volume by displacement), including appropriate
5
calculations

3.1
Density
1. Density is mass per unit volume.
2. Density is calculated using the formula :-
with liqu
mass m
density = ρ=
volume v

3. Units of density is g/cm3 or kg/m3.

4. Water has a density of 1 g/cm3 or 1000 kg/m3.

To find density in laboratory

a. To find the density of an object in the lab, we need two quantities,
mass and volume.
b. To measure mass, we can use a lever balance or a beam balance.
c. To measure volume of: -

Examples Method

Regular object Cube

Irregular object Stone

d. To measure density of a liquid, we need to find mass and volume of

liquid.
e. To find mass of liquid,
i. Measure mass of empty container

ii. Measure mass of container with liquid

iii. Mass of liquid = mass of container – mass of empty container

5. Volume of liquids can be measured using a measuring cylinder.

3.2
 6. Objects made of the same material have the same density.

Examples

1. A measuring cylinder with 150 cm3 of water has a total mass of 350 g. A stone is then
lowered into the cylinder. The new volume reading is 210 cm 3. The total mass is 440 g.

What is the mass of the stone? _______________________________________

What is the volume of the stone? __________________________________________

Calculate the density of the stone.

2. In an experiment to find the density of a new type of cooking oil, Aziz obtained the following
information:

Mass of empty beaker = 145 g

Mass of beaker with oil = 205 g
Volume of cooking oil = 80 ml

Calculate the density of the oil.

3. A block measures 10 cm x 20 cm x 30 cm. Its mass is 1.8 kg. Calculate its density.

30 cm

20 cm

10 cm

3.3