Practical determining density

Question 1

What are the different types of objects used to find denisty of that object?

Answer 1

• Regular shaped objects (ball)
• Irregular shaped objects (rock)
• Liguids

Each have their own method in finding there density.

But there are similarties in methods

Question 2

What are the common steps in finding density fo objects?

Answer 2

• Find the mass of the objects using a digital balance
• Take multiple readings (table of results) for the mass and dimensions
• Finding the avergae
• Calculting density

Question 3

What is the method used to find the density of regular shaped objects?

Answer 3

1. Place the object on a digital balance
2. Use either the ruler, Vernier calipers or micrometer to measure the object’s dimensions (width, height, length, radius) – the apparatus will depend on the size of the object
3. Repeat these measurements and take an average of these readings before calculating the density

Independent variable = Type of shape / volume
Dependent variable = Mass of the object
Calculate the volume of the object depending on whether it is a cube, sphere, cylinder (or other regular shape)

Question 4

What is the method of irregular objects?

Answer 4

1. Place the object on a digital balance and note down its mass
2. Fill the eureka can with water up to a point just below the spout
3. Place an empty measuring cylinder below its spout
4. Carefully lower the object into the eureka can
5. Measure the volume of the displaced water in the measuring cylinder
6. Repeat these measurements and take an average before calculating the density

Volume of displplaced water= volume of the object

Independent variable = Different irregular shapes / mass
Dependent variable = Volume of displaced water
The volume of the water displaced is equal to the volume of the object
Once the mass and volume of the shape are known, the density can be calculated using: density=mass/volume

Question 5

What is the method used to measure the density of liquids?

Answer 5

1. Place an empty measuring cylinder on a digital balance and note down the mass
2. Fill the cylinder with the liquid and note down the volume
3. Note down the new reading on the digital balance
4. Repeat these measurements and take an average before calculating the density

Find the mass of the liquid by subtracting the final reading from the original reading
Mass of liquid = Mass of cylinder with water – mass of cylinder
Remember to convert between grams (g) and kilograms (kg) by dividing by 1000
Once the mass and volume of the liquid are known, the density can be calculated using the equation: Denisty=mass/volume