Density
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z50jEi1igNQ
• The density of an object is the
mass of the object per unit volume To calculate the density of an object
or substance use the formula:
• Units are grams per cubic density= mass ÷ volume
centimetre (g/cm³) or kilograms
per cubic metre (kg/m³).
Measuring density Finding the volume of a regular shape
o To measure density of an object
mass and volume are needed. o For a cuboid, measure the sides and
multiply length by width by height:
o To measure mass place the
object on a digital balance and volume=length × width × height
note down the mass. =lxwxh
Finding the volume of an irregular shape
o Use a eureka can
o A eureka can is filled with water and
the object is placed in the water
o The water overflows
o The eureka can has a spout so the
overflowing water can be collected and
measured for its volume.
o The volume of displaced water is the
same as the volume of the object.
Comparing densities
Gases have lower densities than liquids or
solids because their particles are far apart
▪ The iron cube is much heavier than the wooden cube, even though they
are both the same size because the iron cube has a much higher density.
▪ The cube of polystyrene is the same size but is lighter than both because
it has an even lower density.
• The density of a substance
depends on the mass of the
particles, and how closely
spaced they are.
• Density changes when
substances change state, and
when they are heated or
cooled.
•solid steel has a density of 7.82 g/cm³
•liquid water has a density of 1.00 g/cm³
•air (in its gaseous form) has a density of ▪ Solids have the highest densities because
0.0012 g/cm³ the particles are packed closely together.
▪ Gases have the lowest densities because
the particles are widely spaced.
Liquids with different densities
1. Which liquid has the lowest
density?
2. Which liquid has the
highest density?
1.The iron cube has a volume of 8 cm³ and a
mass of 63 g
Density = mass ÷ volume
= 63 ÷ 8
= 7.9g/cm3 3.A block of polystyrene packing
material has a volume of 200 cm³
and a mass of 7g. What is the
2. The wooden cube has a volume of 8 cm³ density of the polystyrene?
and a mass of 4 g
7 ÷ 200
=4÷8
= 0.035g/cm3
= 0.5g/cm3
Floating and sinking
• Materials denser than water will sink
• Materials less dense than water will float
▪ The average density of the
ship is less than the density
of water it displaces
▪ The upward force of this
displaced water keeps the
ship afloat
