Physics Lab Report
Investigating the Density of an Irregularly shaped Object
Zeus Lalani
Navrachana International School
0653: Combined Science [Physics]
Tuesday – September 11, 2023
Introduction
The aim of this experiment is to determine the densities of irregular objects using a
displacement technique
Problem or Question
What could be the Possibilities of densities that could exist in an irregularly shaped
object of unknown mass and volume
Background research
All matter contains particles. The difference between the different states of matter
is how the particles are arranged:
in a solid ‐ particles are tightly packed in a regular structure
in a liquid ‐ particles are tightly packed but free to move past each
other
in a gas ‐ particles are spread out and move randomly
There is little difference between the density of a liquid and its corresponding
solid (eg: water and ice). This is because the particles are tightly packed in
both states. The same number of particles are spread further apart than in
the liquid or solid states. The same mass takes up a bigger volume - this
means the gas is less dense.
Density also depends on the material. A piece of iron with the same
dimensions as a piece of aluminum will be heavier because the atoms are
more closely packed, and because an individual iron atom is heavier than an
aluminum atom.
Scientists can measure how tightly packed the particles are by measuring
the mass of a certain volume of the material, for example, one cubic
centimeter.
Material Density (g/cm³)
Iron 7.8
Ice 0.98
Water 1
Air 0.00129
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To calculate density, the volume of the material must be known. If the object is a
regular shape, the volume can be found by using a ruler and one of the equations
below.
Shape Measurements Equations
cube length (l), width (w), height (h) lWh
4
sphere diameter (d) π¿
3
cylinder diameter of base (d), length of cylinder (l) π¿
cone diameter of base (d), length of cylinder (l) π¿
If the object has an irregular shape, the volume can be measured using a
displacement can.
The displacement can is filled with water above a narrow spout and allowed to drain
until the water is level with the spout.
As the irregular object is lowered into the displacement can, the water level rises.
Since the level was already up to the bottom of the spout, all the displaced water
comes out of the spout and is collected in a measuring cylinder.
The displaced water in the cylinder occupies the same amount of space that
the object now does in the can, which means that their volumes are the same.
mass m
density = ρ= This is when:
volume V
density is measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m 3 )
mass (m) is measured in kilograms (kg)
volume (V) is measured in cubic meters (m3)
The units for density
The standard unit for mass is kilograms (kg) and for volume is cubic meters (m3).
However, in many laboratory situations it is common to measure the mass in grams
(g) and volume in cubic centimeters (cm3).
Calculating density using grams and cubic centimeters would give a density unit of
grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
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Hypothesis
Using those results, the densities can be calculated using:
Density = mass ÷ volume
Mass of steel cube = 468 g
Volume of steel cube = 60 cm3
Density = mass ÷ volume = 468 ÷ 60 = 7.8 g/cm3 (= 7,800 kg/m 3)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Diameter of steels sphere = 2 cm
Mass of steel sphere = 33 g
4
Volume of steel sphere = π ¿ = 4.19 cm3
3
Density = mass ÷ volume = 33 ÷ 4.19 = 7.9 g/cm3 (= 7,900 kg/m 3 )
_____________________________________________________________________________________
For a stone of mass 356 g, the volume of water displaced into the measuring
cylinder is 68 cm3
Density = mass ÷ volume = 356 ÷ 68 = 5.2 g/cm3 (= 5,200 kg/m 3)
Mass of 50 cm3 of water is found to be 50 g. Density = mass ÷ volume = 50 ÷ 50 =
1 g/cm3 (= 1,000 kg/m3)
Above is are examples of the Hypothesis of a few objects [both regular and
irregular]
Variables
Independent Variable – Different Irregular Shapes / Mass
Dependent Variable – Volume of Displaced water
Controlled Variable – the setting of the Balance, or calibration of the Weighing
equipment used
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Apparatus
1) Eureka Can
2) Irregularly Shaped objects
3) Measuring Cylinder
4) Electronic Balance/Weighing Equipment
5) Ruler
6) string used for suspending object into water
7) Gloves
Safety Considerations
Handling of glassware – any broken glass could lead to injury.
Handling of Water - Water should not come in contact with any electric equipment.
Be active - During the experiment, if any equipment is broken, be aware of it and
take appropriate action to prevent further inconveniences.
Method
1) Place the stone on the top pan balance and measure its mass.
2) Fill the displacement can until the water is level with the bottom of the pipe.
3) Place a measuring cylinder under the pipe ready to collect the displaced
water.
4) Carefully drop the stone into the can and wait until no more water runs into
the cylinder.
5) Measure the volume of the displaced water.
6) Use the measurements to calculate the density of the stone.
Data Collection
Title: Density of Various
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Objects
Object Mass (g) Volume (cm³) Density (g/cm³) Density (kg/m³)
Steel cube 468 60
Steel sphere 33 4.19
Stone 356 68
Water 50 50
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