Physics

Class
 Calculating
density and
measuring
volume
Physics

Unit Particle explanations of density and pressure

:
Outcome

I can define density, calculate its value, and describe

how to measure volume.
Keywords

density the mass per cubic metre (m³) or

cubic centimetre (cm³) of a material

kilograms per the unit for density when mass is measured in

cubic metre kilograms (kg) and volume in cubic metres
(m³)
grams per the unit for density when mass is measured in
cubic grams (g) and volume in cubic centimetres
centimetre (cm³)
Vernier a device used to measure length precisely
callipers
micrometer a device used to measure length to a very high
precision
Lesson outline

Calculating density and measuring volume

Density

Measuring volume with a displacement can

Measuring the density of regular objects

Density
Explanation

A small block of iron weighs a lot more than a block

of plastic of the same volume.
plasti
iron
c
100.2 balance 12.8 g
g

The iron has more mass (material) in the same volume.

The iron is said to have a higher density than the plastic.
The density of a material is a measure of the mass (in grams or
kilograms) per unit volume (in cubic metres or cubic centimetres).
 Density
Explanation

mas
density
The density of a substance is given by:
volume
s
In symbols: =

ρ m m=ρ× V m
V ρ
= V =
Where:
● mass, m, is measured in kilograms (kg)
● volume, V, is measured in cubic metres (m3) or cubic
centimetres (cm3)
● density, ρ, is measured in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3)
or grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm3)
Density
Explanation

Density is a property of a material.

material density
The density of all pure water (kg/m3)
samples is 1000 kg/m3.
pure water 1000
The density of all pure gold vegetable oil 930
samples is 19 300 kg/m3. gold 19 300
aluminium 2 700
Density can change under
air 1.23
different conditions, such as a
chlorine gas 2.99
change in temperature or
pressure in a gas.
Density
Explanation

Volumes of 1 m3 are much larger than a typical

sample used in a school laboratory.

1m Volumes in centimetres cubed (cm3)

can be used along with masses in
grams (g).
1 m3 of water 1 cm3 of water has a mass of 1 g.
has a mass of
1000 kg This allows density to be calculated in
grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm3).
Density
Check

Objects float on water if their density is less than the

density of water. They sink if their density is higher.
Which statement describes the density of an object?
a The weight of the object.

b The amount of mass it contains.

c The amount of mass it contains in a particular

volume.
d The weight of the object for a particular volume.
Density
Check

A scientist measures the density of a 10 g sample of a pure

copper sample as 8.96 g/cm3. What is the density of a 20 g
sample of the same copper?

a 17.92 g/cm3 c 8.96 g/cm3

b 4.48 g/cm3 d There is not enough

information to know.
Density
Explanation Check

A block of wood has a mass of A block of a different type of wood

12.4 kg and a volume of 0.02 has a mass of 3.2 kg and density
m3. Calculate the density of the of 160 kg/m3.
wood.
Given: Calculate
Given: the volume of this wood.
m = 12.4kg m = 3.2kg
v = 0.02m3 ρ = 160 kg/m3

𝑚 𝑚
𝜌=
v = = 620 kg/m𝑣
3 =
𝜌
= = 0.02 m3
Density
Explanation Check

A sample of plastic has a mass of A copper cube has a mass of 13.5

1.8 g and a volume of of 1.4 cm3. g and volume of 1.5 cm3.

Calculate the density of the Calculate the density of copper.

plastic.

m 1.8 g m 13.5
ρ =V = 1.4 cm3 = 1.3 g/cm 3
ρ =V = g = 9.0 g/cm3
1.5
(2 sig. fig.) (2 sig.
cm3
fig.)
Density
Explanation Check

Ice has a density of 917 kg/m3. A small fuel canister contains

600 cm3 of petrol which has a
A small iceberg has a volume of
density of 0.80 g/cm3.
60 000 m . 3

Calculate the mass of the

Calculate the mass of the
petrol.
iceberg.
m=ρ×V m=ρ×V

m = 917 kg/m3 × 60 000 m3 m = 0.80 g/cm3 × 600 cm3

m = 55 000 000 kg (2 sig. m = 480 g (2 sig. fig.)

fig.)
Density
Explanation Check

A sample of vegetable oil has a Lead has a density of 11 400

mass of 400 g and a density of kg/m3.
0.91 g/cm3. A lead block has a mass of 24.0
Calculate the volume of oil in kg.
the sample. Calculate the volume of the block.

m 400 g m 24.0 kg
V= = = 440 cm 3
V= =
ρ 0.91 g/cm 3
ρ 11 400
(2 sig.
kg/m3 –3 3
fig.) V = 2.11 × 10 m (3 sig.
fig.)
Density
Explanation

Sometimes, you may need to convert density from

kg/m3 to g/cm3 or the other way around.
1 m3 has a volume of 100 cm × 100 cm ×
1 m = 100 100 cm
cm
1 m3 = 1 000 000 cm3
1 kg = 1000 g

to convert from kg/m3 to g/cm3 :

divide by 1 000

to convert from g/cm3 to kg/m3 :

1 m3 = 1 000 000 multiply by 1 000
cm3
Density
Check

Which of the following is equivalent to 5.0 g/cm3?

a 5.0 kg/m3 To convert from g/cm3 to kg/m3, multiply by

1000.
b 50 kg/m3

c 5 000 kg/m3

d 5 000 000 kg/m3

Task A Density Practice

1. The figures show three blocks of different

materials. Find the density of each block.
volume = 150 volume = 150 volume = 90 cm3
cm3 cm3 mass = 200 g
mass = 200 g mass = 900 g
a b c

2. Expanded polystyrene has a density of 0.015 g/cm3.

Calculate the mass of:
a. a block of expanded polystyrene with a volume of 250 cm3
b. a block of expanded polystyrene with a volume of 2.5 m3
Task A Density Feedbac
k

1) The figures show three blocks of different materials.

Find the density of each block.
volume = 150 volume = 150 volume = 90 cm3
cm3 cm3 mass = 200 g
mass = 200 g mass = 900 g
a b c

m m m
ρ= ρ= ρ=
V V V
200 g 900 g 200 g
ρ= ρ= ρ=
150 150 90 cm3
ρ =cm
1.33 g/cm3 ρ =cm
6.03 g/cm3 ρ = 2.2 g/cm3
Task A Density Feedbac
k

2) Expanded polystyrene has a density of 0.015 g/cm3.

Calculate the mass of:
a) a block of expanded polystyrene with a volume of 250
cm3
m = ρ × V = 0.015 g/cm3 × 250 cm3 = 3.75 g

b) a block of3 expanded polystyrene 3with a volume of 32.5

V = 2.5 m = 2.5 × 1 000 000 cm = 2 500 000 cm
m3
m = ρ × V = 0.015 g/cm3 × 2 500 000 cm3 = 37 500 g =
37.5 kg
Lesson outline

Calculating density and measuring volume

Density

Measuring volume with a displacement can

Measuring the density of regular objects

Measuring volume with a displacement can
Explanation

When an object is placed in water it can float or

sink.

The level of the water in the containter will rise.

Some water has been displaced.
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Explanation

What will happen to the water when the object is placed in the
container?
If the object is placed in a full container, the
displaced water will spill out.
The volume of
displaced
displaced water is equal
water to the volume
of the object.
Collecting the water allows the volume of the object to be
found.
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Explanation

A displacement can is designed to allow the

volume of displaced water to be found.
The can has a spout that allows the displaced water to be
collected.
spout
water
collection
beaker or
object
measuring
cylinder
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Explanation

Using a displacement can to measure the water

displaced by an object:
water pours displaced
full to spout out of spout
water

The can is filled so An object is placed in The displaced water

that water is level to the water and the is collected and its
the spout. water level rises. volume measured.
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Check

A beaker is filled to the top with water. A stone is placed carefully

into the beaker and 50 cm3 water spills over as the stone sinks.
What conclusions can be made?
a The stone is more dense than water.

b The stone has the same mass as the displaced water.

c The stone has a volume of 50 cm3.

d The stone has the same mass as the water left in the
beaker.
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Check

Which displacement can arrangement is ready to

be used to measure water displacement
correctly?
not full to spout full to spout

water in collection empty collection

beaker beaker
a b c
A B C
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Explanation

A measuring cylinder can be used to measure the

volume of small objects.

1. The cylinder is partly filled with water.

2. The start volume is recorded.
3. The object is carefully placed into the
cylinder.
4. The end volume is recorded.
5. The volume of the object is the increase in
volume.
Measuring volume with a displacement can
Explanation

An example of using a measuring cylinder to

measure volume:
measuring cylinder
with water

42.5
cm3
26.4 cm3 Stone added

volume of stone = 42.5 cm3 – 26.4 cm3 = 16.1 cm3

Measuring volume with a displacement can
Check

What is the volume of the object placed in the

measuring cylinder?
a 38.5 cm3

b 30.1 cm3 38.5

30.1 cm3 cm3
c 8.4 cm3

d 68.6 cm3
volume = 38.5 cm3 – 30.1 cm3 = 8.4 cm3
Task Measuring volume with a displacement can Practice
B
1. What is an advantage and a disadvantage of
measuring the volume of a range of objects using:
a. a displacement can,
b. a measuring cylinder?
2. A marble of mass 15.4 g is placed in a measuring
cylinder containing water. The level of the water rises
from 45.2 cm3 to 47.4 cm3.
Calculate the density of the marble.
Task B Measuring volume with a displacement can Feedbac
k

1. What is an advantage and a disadvantage of measuring

the volume of a range of objects using:
a. a displacement can,
b. a measuring cylinder?
a. Displacement can b. Measuring cylinder
advantage: advantage:
● can measure larger ● change in volume can be
volumes read directly from scale
disadvantage: disadvantage:
● measuring cylinder or ● only works with small
similar is needed to find objects.
the volume of water
Task B Measuring volume with a displacement can Feedbac
k

2. A marble of mass 15.4 g is placed in a measuring

cylinder containing water. The level of the water rises
from 45.2 cm3 to 47.4 cm3.
Calculate the density of the marble.

volume = 47.4 cm3 – 45.2 cm3 = 2.2

cm3
m 15.4 g
ρ= = = 7.0 g/cm3 (2 sig. fig.)
V 2.2 cm3
Lesson outline

Calculating density and measuring volume

Density

Measuring volume with a displacement can

Measuring the density of regular objects

Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

The density of regularly shaped objects can be

found by measuring the mass and the volume.

Mass can be Most balances

measured with a can measure to
top pan balance. the nearest 0.1
g.

A high precision balance can

measure mass to the nearest 0.01
g.
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

The volume of the object is calculated from

length measurements.

radius, r
height, h
length, l

width, w
The volume of a cuboid can be The volume of a sphere can be
calculated from: calculated from:

V=l×w×h V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × r 3
Measuring the density of regular objects
Check

A scientist measures the diameter of a sphere as 0.20

m. Which of these shows how to calculate the volume

V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × 0.20 m
V?
a

V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × (0.10 m)2

diameter,
b
d = 0.20 m

V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × (0.20 m)3

c r = 0.10
V = 4/3 × 𝜋 ×
m
d V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × (0.10 m)3 r 3
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation Check

A sphere has a mass of 525 g and Calculate the density of a cuboid

a radius of 4.00 cm. with a mass of 20 kg and
dimensions of 0.20 m by 0.40 m
Calculate its density.

V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × r
by 0.50 m.
V=l×w×h
V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × (4.0 cm)3
3

V = 0.20 m × 0.40 m × 0.50 m

V = 268 cm3 V = 0.04 m3
m 500 g m 20 kg
ρ =V = = 1.87 g/cm 3
ρ =V = = 500 kg/m 3
268 cm3 0.04 m3
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

The length of the side of a cuboid can be

measured with a ruler.
This gives a value to the nearest 1 mm.
7.2
ruler not through centre mm

It is very hard to use a ruler to measure the diameter or

radius of a sphere as it is hard to know exactly where the
centre is.
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

Vernier callipers can be used to measure lengths

to the nearest 0.1 cm or 0.01 cm.

The object is
placed in the
‘jaws’ of the
callipers and they
are closed until
they touch the The length (or
sides of the Diameters can be diameter) is read
object. measured easily. from a digital or
Vernier scale.
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

Vernier scales use two sets of lines to show the

length measurement.

The alignment
The first line on of a bottom line
the bottom with a top line
scale shows the gives the third
first two decimal place.
decimal places.
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

Example of reading a Vernier scale:

4 5 6
4.
3

.00 .04
4th line = 0.04
The position of the Find the line on the
cm
first marker on the bottom scale that length = 4.3 cm
bottom shows the lines up closest to one + 0.04 cm
length to the on the top scale to
length = 4.34 cm
nearest mm. find the next digit.
Measuring the density of regular objects
Check

What is the reading on the Vernier scale?

6 7 0.05 8
6.4

a 6.4 cm c 6.45 cm

b 7.40 cm d 8.10 cm
Measuring the density of regular objects
Explanation

A micrometer can be used to measure very

precisely.
Vernier scale
The micrometer may
have a digital scale
or a Vernier scale.

Micrometers can
measure to the
nearest 0.01 mm.
Measuring the density of regular objects
Check

Match these measurement instruments in order

of their highest precision.

instrument highest precision

30 cm rule a x 0.1 mm

micrometer b y 1 mm

Vernier callipers c z 0.01 mm

Task C Measuring the density of regular objects Practice

1. An engineer measures the density of a small metal

sphere.
They measure the diameter as 3.46 cm and mass as 95.4 g.
a. Explain why they used Vernier callipers to measure the
diameter instead of using a ruler.
b. Calculate the density of the metal.
2. Modelling clay has a density of 1.50 g/cm3.
A pupil wants to make a perfect cube of modelling clay which
has a mass of exactly 96 g.
Find the length the sides of the cube need to be.
Task C Measuring the density of regular objects Feedbac
k

1. An engineer measures the density of a small metal

sphere. They measure the diameter as 3.46 cm and mass as 95.4
g.
a.Callipers
Explain had
why a
they usedresolution
higher Vernier callipers instead of
(can measure a ruler.
more
precisely).
Callipers can clamp the sphere in their jaws to measure the
diameter.
b. radius, r =the
Calculate diameter ÷2
density of = metal.
the 3.46 cm ÷ 2 = 1.73 cm
V = 4/3 × 𝜋 × r 3 = 4/3 × 𝜋 × (1.73 cm)3 = 21.69
cm3 m 95.4 g
ρ= = = 4.40 g/cm3
V 21.69
cm3
Task C Measuring the density of regular objects Feedbac
k

2. Modelling clay has a density of 1.50 g/cm3.

A pupil wants to make a perfect cube of modelling clay which
has a mass of exactly 96 g.
Find the length the sides of the cube need to be.
First find the volume:
m 96 g
V= = V = 64 cm3
ρ 1.50 g/cm3
The sides of a cube are all the same length, so the volume is
the length cubed. The length, l, is the cube root of the volume.
l = ∛V = ∛(64 cm3) = 4.0 cm
Summar Calculating density and measuring volume
y
The density of a material or object is the mass contained
within a certain volume.
mass ρ=m
density =
volume V
mass, m, is measured in kilograms (kg) or grams (g)
volume, V, in cubic metres (m3) or cubic centimetres (cm3)
density, ρ, in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3) or grams per cubic
centimetre (g/cm3)

Volume can be measured using a displacement can or measuring

cylinder, or it can be calculated from length measurements taken with
Vernier callipers or a micrometer.
Thank
You