Earth Science Name: ___________________________

Ms. Rhinehart Partner: _________________________

LAB #: __________ ES: 1-2-3-4 Date: _____________

Density
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab activity is to introduce you to the concept of density.
Density is affected by the mass and volume of an object. It is not however affected by
the size or shape of an object. Also, every substance on earth has its own unique density.
Therefore density is a property that is useful in help identifying unknown objects. In this
lab activity you will calculate density of four different samples of the same material. You
will then plot the density of this material on a graph to view the relationship between mass
and volume compared with size and shape. Then you will calculate densities of unknown
objects and using your density determine the identity of the unknown object.

Objectives:
1. Measure mass and volume of solids
2. Calculate density from measured values
3. Plot density on a graph
4. Identify density of unknown samples
5. Describe the relationship between size/shape and density

Materials:
-Density Kit of known samples -Water
-Density Kit of unknown samples -ESRT
-Balance -Calculator
-Ruler -Pencil
-Graduated cylinder

Procedure:
PART ONE
1. Using the balance, measure the mass of each of the objects within the density kit, to
the nearest tenth of a gram. Record all measurements in the data table.

2. Measure the volume of each object, to the nearest tenth of a gram, using a graduated
cylinder. Record all measurements in the data table.

3. Calculate the density of each object using the formula for density. Show your work.
Record the density (with the correct units) in the data table.

Sarah Rhinehart Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:41:19 AM ET 00:1b:63:39:ab:1d

 DATA: SAMPLE # _____________________

Object Mass (g) Volume (mL) Density

Small

Medium

Large

Extra Large

4. Complete the graph below, by filling in an appropriate scale for mass and by plotting
your values. Connect the points using a best-fit line. The line you plotted represents
the density of the object
DENSITY

0 5 10 15 20
Volume

Sarah Rhinehart Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:41:19 AM ET 00:1b:63:39:ab:1d

 PART TWO:
5. Obtain two samples of the unknown objects from the kit

6. Record the letter stamped on the sample in the data chart

7. Using the balance, measure the mass of each of the objects within the density kit, to
the nearest tenth of a gram. Record all measurements in the data table.

8. Measure the volume of each object, to the nearest tenth of a gram, using a graduated
cylinder. Record all measurements in the data table.

9. Calculate the density of each object using the formula for density. Show your work.
Record the density (with the correct units) in the data table.

10. Put your two samples back and obtain two more samples, repeat steps # 6-9

DATA:

Object Mass (g) Volume (mL) Density Material

11. Use the table provided to determine the type of material for each object, based on
your calculated density.

Sarah Rhinehart Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:41:19 AM ET 00:1b:63:39:ab:1d

 Density Material Density Material
0.24 g/mL Cork 1.32 g/mL Phenolic
0.43 g/mL Pine 1.37 g/mL PVC
0.64 g/mL Walnut 1.42 g/mL Acetyl
0.75 g/mL Oak 2.20 g/mL Teflon
0.77 g/mL Maple 2.71 g/mL Aluminum
0.90 g/mL Polypropylene 8.56 g/mL Brass
0.92 g/mL Polyethylene 4.30 g/mL Titanium
1.15 g/mL Nylon 8.91 g/mL Copper
1.17 g/mL Acrylic 11.6 g/mL Lead
1.23 g/mL Polyurethane 19.3 g/mL Gold

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION (COMPLETE SENTENCES!!!)

PART ONE

1. Where can you find the equation for density? _________ What is it? ___________

2. What type of relationship was shown on the density graph?

3. Using the graph, what is the (average) density of the samples?

4. What would be the mass of the sample if the volume were 25mL?

5. How did changing the size affect density?

6. Since all four of your samples are made out the same material, they all should have the

________________ density, which averages to be _______________________.

Sarah Rhinehart Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:41:19 AM ET 00:1b:63:39:ab:1d

 7. Did all four of your samples have this density?

8. Why would the densities be different (remember they are the same material and
assuming you do not change anything about the samples)?

PART TWO

9. How well did your calculated densities compare to the actual density of the unknown
substances?

10. What could have caused differences in your density compared to the actual results
(answer even if your results were the same)

11. How certain can you be in your identification of the unknown substances?

12. How would you determine the density of a human body?

13. What difficulties would you expect to run into while calculating the density of a human
body?

14. Compare the densities using ( , , =) ?

a. One gram of Iron b. One kilogram of Iron

Sarah Rhinehart Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:41:19 AM ET 00:1b:63:39:ab:1d

 15. Which order of letters ranks the samples by volume from largest to smallest?

b. A, B, C
c. A, C, B
d. C, B, A
e. C, A, B

16. What is the density of sample A?

a. 0.33 g/cm3
b. 2.0 g/cm3
c. 3.0 g/cm3
d. 4.0g/cm3

17. The diagram at the right represents a cylinder which contains four different liquids,

W, X, Y, and Z, each with a different density, (D) as indicated. A piece of solid quartz

having a density of 2.7 g/cm3 is placed on the surface of liquid W. When the quartz is

released, it will pass through:

a. W, but not X, Y, or Z
b. W and X, but not Y or Z
c. W, X and Y, but not Z
d. W, X, Y, and Z

Sarah Rhinehart Tuesday, September 28, 2010 10:41:19 AM ET 00:1b:63:39:ab:1d