Section 5: Solids, liquids and gases

Unit:18 (Density and pressure)

Density and pressure

Density is the mass per unit volume of an object or fluid. The greater the density, the greater is
its mass if we keep volume of the material same. In case of liquid, it is seen that the liquid with
higher density will always sink in one that has a
lower density.

Describe experiments to determine density using direct measurements of mass and volume:
Experiment: To determine the density of a regularly-shaped object.

Apparatus: Vernier calipers, micrometer/screw gauge, ruler, balance

Procedure:
1. Find the mass, using the balance.
2. Determine the volume by taking appropriate measurements and then calculating the volume as
follows:
• Volume of a rectangular block = Length × width × Height
4
• Volume of a sphere of radius 𝑅 = 𝜋𝑅3
3

• Volume of a cylinder of radius 𝑅 and height L= 𝜋𝑅2L

Skills regarding handling the experiment

A. How to measure the length?
a) Measuring the length of an object:
I. The ruler (up to 30 cm)
➢ Accuracy: 0.1 cm = 1mm
➢ The ruler should be placed as close to the object as possible.
➢ The eye must be directly above the mark on the scale or the thickness of the ruler
causes parallax error.
 II.The micrometer screw gauge (up to 2 cm)
➢ Accuracy: 0.01 mm = 0.001 cm
➢ Can be used to measure small objects in the millimeter range.
➢ Before making measurement, check to ensure that the reading is zero when the
jaws are closed, otherwise a zero error must be allowed for where a reading is
taken.

III. Vernier scale (up to 15 cm):

➢ Accuracy: 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm
Has two scales, the mm scale and Vernier scale
Notes:
➢ each reading should be repeated several times to get an acceptable average.
➢ Some readings should be excluded if their values are very far from the other readings
(abnormal readings).
Measuring thickness of a thin object:
Multiples can be measured and the divided to find an average value. For example, to obtain
the average thickness of one page of a book, measure the thickness of 20 pages and divide your
result by 20.
How to check that the ruler is vertical to the bench?
By using set square method: put the set square (right-angle triangle) so that one side of the
angle is parallel to the bench, while the other side of the right angle is parallel to the meter rule.
Meter

Right-angle

Bench

How to measure a circumference of a cylindrical-shaped object (cup, test tube…)?

To measure a circumference of a cylindrical-shaped object, wind a string 10 times around it then

unwinds it, measure the length of the string and divide by 10. The string should be thin, tangent

and without spacing between turns.

▪ Reasons for inaccuracy:

➢ Using thick string
➢ The marks are thick
➢ Leaving space between turns
➢ Winding turns at angles
➢ Stretching of the string
 ▪ Precautions:
➢ Use thin string
➢ Thin marks
➢ Take more number of turns
➢ Make sure that the string isn’t stretched

Experiment: To determine the density of a liquid.

Apparatus: Burrete, beaker, balance, retortstand.

Procedure:

1. Find the mass of a clean, dry beaker (m1).

2. Run a volume of the liquid from the burette into the beaker.
3. Find the mass of the beaker and the liquid (m2)
Calculation: If the masses are measured in kg, and the volume in m3, then the density of the liquid.
𝑚2 − 𝑚1
𝜌= (𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 )
𝑣
Precaution:
• When reading the volume of the liquid, make sure that the eye is level with the base of
meniscus of the liquid.
• Keep the beaker on a plain surface.

Experiment: To determine the density of an irregular shaped object

1. Determine the mass of the object by using a top pan balance.

Now find, find the volume:

2. Pour some water in a measuring cylinder.

3. Mark the position of the lower meniscus of the water level.
4. Put the object into the water. The water level rises.
5. Mark the position of the lower meniscus again
6. Subtract the two readings and get the volume of the object.
Density: Use the equation of density.
 Pressure
Pressure is defined as:
The concentration of a force or the force per unit area

Example1: Tractors (Low pressure)

• Tractors have large tiers
• This spreads the weight(force) of the tractor over a large area
• This reduces the pressure which prevents the heavy tractor from sinking into the mud
Example 2: Nails (High pressure)
o Nails have sharp pointed ends with a very small area
This concentrates the force, creating a large pressure over a small area This allows the nail to be hammered
into a wall Pressure is measured in the units Pascals (Pa)
The area should always be the cross-sectional area of the object This means the area where the force is at right
angles to it.

This equation tells us that:

If a force is spread over a large area it will result in a small pressure If it is spread over a small area it will result in a

large pressure.
Pressure in liquids and gases
Pressure in liquids and gases act equally in all directions, as long as the liquid or gas are not moving.
Pressure in a fluid (gas or liquid) is created from the movement of particles (as they collide with a
surface).
Experiment: To prove the above statement.

4 holes are made at the same depth in a can. So, when it is filled with water, the water flowing from
these holes moves at same speed. This proves that the pressure is equal in all direction.
know and use the relationship for pressure difference:

pressure difference = height × density × gravitational field strength

p=h×ρ×g

Experiment: To investigate that pressure decreases with height.

Three holes are made at different height of the can. The water from the hole at the bottom-most of the
can travels at highest speed. And the water from top-most hole travels at lowest speed. Thus, proving
that pressure increases with depth.

Atmospheric Pressure:
• Pressure exerted by the weight of the air on the earth’s surface.
• Measured by barometer
• It decreases with an increasing altitude
• It is 101,325 Pa at sea level
• Normal atmospheric pressure is 760 mm of Hg

Application: Drinking straw, Sucker hook, Magdeburg Hemispheres (Explanation)

Magdeburg Hemisphere:

Gas Pressure
Gas pressure means simply the pressure exerted by gas on anything. It is measured by manometer.

Simple Mercury Barometer: Barometers can be used to predict the weather. They measure changes in
atmospheric pressure over time.