Density
● Density is defined as the mass of an object divided by its volume, and most of our experiences
with density involve solids. We know that some objects are heavier than other objects, even though
they are the same size. A brick and a loaf of bread are about the same size, but a brick is heavier--it
is more dense. Among metals, aluminum is less dense than iron. That's why airplanes and rockets
and some automobile parts are made from aluminum. For the same volume of material, one metal
weighs less than another if it has a lower density.
● Objects made from low-density materials typically have a low mass, whilst similar-sized objects
made from high-density materials have a high mass
(Think of how heavy a bag full of feathers is compared to a similar bag full of metal)
● Density is related to mass and volume by the following equation: (ρis pronounced as ‘rho’)
(Note: The greek letter ρ is used to denote density)
You can rearrange this equation with the help of the formula triangle:
Use the formula triangle to help you rearrange the equation
Density = mass/ volume; mass = density x volume; volume = mass/density
● 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
○ If the mass is measured in g and volume in ml, then the density will be in g/ml
○ If the mass is measured in kg and volume in l, then the density will be in kg/l
○ TO KNOW THE UNIT OF DENSITY LOOK AT THE UNIT OF MASS AND VOLUME GIVEN IN THE
QUESTION.
○ 1 g/cm3 = 1000 kg/m3
● Determination of density of a regular solid
1. First measure the mass M of the given regular solid by using a beam balance
2. Now find the volume V of the regular solid by using the formula,
3. Volume of cube = (one side)3
4. Volume of cuboid = length * breadth * height
5. Knowing mass and volume find the density by using the given formula, Density = M/V
● Float or Sink: when the density of the substance immersed in liquid / gas is less than the liquid / gas,
the substance floats. But if the density of the substance is more than the density of liquid / gas,
then the object sinks. Look at your density tower observations for example oil floats on water and
honey sinks to the bottom. Similarly, balloons filled with helium gas float and rise upward whereas if
they are filled with high density gas like CO2 then it sinks and falls on the ground.
● Floatation of iron ship: As the density of an iron nail is more than that of water, the nail sinks in
water. This is understandable. But a huge ship made of iron floats. This is because of its shape. A
ship is hollow in the middle. When the ship is in water the entire volume of the ship, including the
hollow portion, displaces water to make space for itself. The volume of water displaced is much
greater than the volume of the iron ship. Hence, an iron ship floats in water.
In short, we can say that the shape of the ship makes its overall density less than that of water and
hence the ship floats.
● For measurement of density of liquid - mass of liquid is measured using weighing balance, but the
volume of liquid is measured using graduated cylinder.
● Graduated cylinder or measuring cylinder can also be used to measure the volume of any irregular
solid as you have seen in the Gizmo simulation.
● Density of a gas depends on the container in which gas is filled. A pressurised gas like LPG in a
cylinder has more density than LPG leaked in an open kitchen as we have discussed in class. More
about the pressure will be discussed in the next chapter.
Applications of Density in Real Life
Many applications of density are there in our real-life, like a few examples are in pipe design, shipbuilding,
helium balloons, weight distribution in the airplane, and the fact that ice floats on water.
● The knowledge of the densities of two substances helps you in separation techniques. For example,
separation of oil from water. Leakage of an oil tank in the ocean then oil drops start to float on the
water due to their less density in the water.
● Another well-known application of density is determining whether an object will float on water or
not. The floating of ships and diving of submarines are due to their density difference.
