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DENSITY

The document provides a comprehensive overview of density, defining it as mass per unit volume and explaining its relationship with mass and volume through equations. It details methods for measuring the density of both regular and irregular objects, including experiments using digital balances and displacement techniques. Additionally, it discusses the importance of accuracy, potential errors, and safety considerations during experiments.

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19 views20 pages

DENSITY

The document provides a comprehensive overview of density, defining it as mass per unit volume and explaining its relationship with mass and volume through equations. It details methods for measuring the density of both regular and irregular objects, including experiments using digital balances and displacement techniques. Additionally, it discusses the importance of accuracy, potential errors, and safety considerations during experiments.

Uploaded by

sihlemamba986
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DENSITY

Density
• Density is defined as:
• The mass per unit volume of a material
• Density is related to mass and volume by the following
equation:

• Where:
• ρ = density, measured in kilograms per metre cubed (kg
m−3)
• m = mass, measured in kilograms (kg)
• V = volume, measured in metres cubed (m3
• Objects made from low density materials typically
have a low mass
• Similarly sized objects made from high
density materials have a high mass
• For example, a bag full of feathers is far lighter compared to
the same bag full of metal
• Or another example, a balloon is less dense than a small bar
of lead despite occupying a larger volume
• Gases, for example, are generally less dense than solids
because the particles in a gas are more spread out
(same mass, over a larger volume)
Comparing the density of solids and gases

A gas is less dense than the same substance in liquid or solid


form
• The units of density depend on what units are used for
mass and volume:
• If the mass is measured in g and volume in cm3, then the
density will be in g/cm3
• If the mass is measured in kg and volume in m3, then the
density will be in kg/m3
Determining volume to calculate
density
• The volume of an object may not always be given
directly, but can be calculated with the appropriate
equation depending on the object’s shape
• Common formulae required to calculate the
volumes of objects
EXAMPLE
• A paving slab has a mass of 73 kg and dimensions 0.04
m × 0.5 m × 0.85 m.
• Calculate the density, in kg/m3, of the material from
which the paving slab is made
Measuring density

• Experiment 1: measuring the density of regularly


shaped objects
• The aim of this experiment is to determine the densities
of regular objects by using measurements of their
dimensions
• Variables:
• Independent variable = Type of shape / volume
• Dependent variable = Mass of the object
• Method 1.Place the object on a digital
balance and note down its
• Equipment needed to mass
measure the density of 2.Use either the ruler, Vernier
regularly shaped callipers or micrometer to
objects 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
Results
• An example results table to measure the density
of regularly shaped objects
• Analysis of results
• Calculate the volume of the object depending on
whether it is a cube, sphere, cylinder (or other regular
shape)
• Then use the formula for density to calculate the
density of each object
Experiment 2: measuring the density
of irregularly shaped objects
• This experiment aims to • Method
determine the densities of • Equipment needed to
irregular objects using a measure the density of
displacement technique irregularly shaped
• Variables: objects
• Independent variable =
Different irregular
shapes / mass
• Dependent variable =
Volume of displaced water
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
• Alternatively, the object can be placed in a measuring cylinder
containing a known volume of liquid, and the change in volume
then measured
•Once the mass and volume of the shape is known,
its density can be calculated
Results

• Analysis of results
• 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 the formula
Experiment 3: measuring the
density of liquids
• This experiment aims to
determine the density of a
liquid by finding a
difference in its mass
• Variables:
• Independent variable =
Volume of water added 1.Place an empty measuring cylinder on a digital
• Dependent variable = balance and note down the mass
2.Fill the cylinder with the liquid and note down the
Mass of cylinder volume
3.Note down the new reading on the digital
balance
4.Repeat these measurements and take an
average before calculating the density
Results
• An example results table to measure the density
of a liquid
• Analysis of results
• 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
• Once the mass and volume of the liquid are known, the
density can be calculated using the equation for
calculating density
Evaluating the experiments
• Systematic errors
• Ensure the digital balance is set to zero before taking measurements
of mass
• This includes when measuring the density of the liquid – remove the
measuring cylinder and zero the balance before adding the liquid
• Random errors
• A main cause of error in this experiment is in the measurements of
length
• Ensure to take repeat readings and calculate an average to keep this error to
a minimum
• Place the irregular object in the displacement can carefully, as
dropping it from a height might cause water to splash, which will lead
to an incorrect volume reading
Safety considerations
• There is a lot of glassware in this experiment, ensure
this is handled carefully
• Water should not be poured into the measuring cylinder
when it is on the electric balance
• This could lead to electric shock
• Make sure to stand up during the whole experiment, to
react quickly to any spills

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