PHYSICS – Density

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.4 Density
Core
• Recall and use the equation ρ =
m/V
• Describe an experiment to
determine the density of a liquid
and of a regularly shaped solid and
make the necessary calculation
• Describe the determination of
the density of an irregularly
shaped solid by the method of
displacement
• Predict whether an object will
float based on density data
 SI units
(Le Systeme International d’Unites)
 SI units
1m
(Le Systeme International d’Unites)

Volume 🡪 cubic metre (m3)

1m

1m
 SI units
1m
(Le Systeme International d’Unites)

Volume 🡪 cubic metre (m3)

1m

1 cubic metre = 1m x 1m x 1m

1m
 SI units
1m
(Le Systeme International d’Unites)

Volume 🡪 cubic metre (m3)

3
1m
1 cubic metre (1m )

= 1000 litres (l)

1 cubic metre = 1m x 1m x 1m

1m
1 litre bottle = 1l

Same as 1 cubic
decimetre (dm3)
 1 litre bottle = 1l

Same as 1 cubic
decimetre (dm3)

1 litre = 1000 cubic centimetres (cm3)

= 1000 millilitres (ml)
 1 litre bottle = 1l

Same as 1 cubic
decimetre (dm3)

1 litre = 1000 cubic centimetres (cm3)

= 1000 millilitres (ml)

1 cm

1 cm

1 cm

1 cubic centimetre (cm3) = 1 millilitre (ml)

 1 litre bottle = 1l

Same as 1 cubic
decimetre (dm3)

1 litre = 1000 cubic centimetres (cm3)

= 1000 millilitres (ml)

1 cm

1 cm
Aluminium Lead
1 cm

For any given volume (eg. 1cm3) lead is

heavier than aluminium. It has a higher 1 cubic centimetre (cm3) = 1 millilitre (ml)
DENSITY
DENSITY = Mass
Volume
 DENSITY = Mass
Volume

Water has a
density of
1 g/cm3

1000 cm3 of water (1 litre) therefore

has a mass of 1000g (1 kilogram)
 DENSITY = Mass
Volume
Substance Density (g/cm3)
Wood 0.75
Water has a Ice 0.92
density of
Water 1.00
1 g/cm3
Aluminium 2.70
Copper 8.90
1000 cm3 of water (1 litre) therefore
Lead 11.4
has a mass of 1000g (1 kilogram)
 THINK!
A solid object with a density lower
than that of water will float.
So why should a battleship made of
aluminium not sink?

DENSITY = Mass
Volume
Substance Density (g/cm3)
Wood 0.75
Water has a Ice 0.92
density of
Water 1.00
1 g/cm3
Aluminium 2.70
Copper 8.90
1000 cm3 of water (1 litre) therefore
Lead 11.4
has a mass of 1000g (1 kilogram)
Calculating density

In the density equation,

density is shown by the
Greek letter ‘rho’ =

DENSITY = Mass = m
Volume V
Calculating density

In the density equation,

density is shown by the
Greek letter ‘rho’ =

DENSITY = Mass = m
Volume V
m
V = m m = V x

V
 Calculating density
Eg. What is the density of a block of steel
if it has a mass of 9,360g and a volume of
1,200cm3?
m

V
 Calculating density
Eg. What is the density of a block of steel
if it has a mass of 9,360g and a volume of
1,200cm3?
m

V
= 9 360 = 7.8 g/cm3
1 200
 Calculating density
Eg. What is the density of a block of steel
if it has a mass of 9,360g and a volume of
1,200cm3?
m

V
= 9 360 = 7.8 g/cm3
1 200

Eg. What is the mass of a block of gold if

it has a density of 19.3 g/cm3 and a
volume of 540 cm3?

m = 540 x 19.3 = 10,422g

 Calculating density
Eg. What is the density of a block of steel
if it has a mass of 9,360g and a volume of
1,200cm3?
m

V
= 9 360 = 7.8 g/cm3
1 200

Eg. What is the mass of a block of gold if Eg. What is the volume of a block of ice
it has a density of 19.3 g/cm3 and a if it has a density of 0.92 g/cm3 and a
volume of 540 cm3? mass of 12,462g?

m = 540 x 19.3 = 10,422g

 Calculating density
Eg. What is the density of a block of steel
if it has a mass of 9,360g and a volume of
1,200cm3?
m

V
= 9 360 = 7.8 g/cm3
1 200

Eg. What is the mass of a block of gold if Eg. What is the volume of a block of ice
it has a density of 19.3 g/cm3 and a if it has a density of 0.92 g/cm3 and a
volume of 540 cm3? mass of 12,462g?

m = 540 x 19.3 = 10,422g V = 12 462 = 13,546cm3

0.92
 Volume and Density
Volume of a liquid

Measuring cylinder
Read off the level on the scale to
get the volume of liquid
 Volume and Density
Volume of a regular
solid

Length

Height

Width

Volume of rectangular block = length x width x height

 Volume and Density
Volume of a regular
solid

Length Radius

Height
Height

Width

Volume of rectangular block = length x width x height Volume of a cylinder= π x radius2 x height
 Volume and Density
Volume of an
irregular solid

Read off the level on the scale

before adding the irregular solid,
and again after the solid has been
put into the measuring cylinder.

Volume of irregular solid =

Volume after – volume before

Eg. 235 – 155 = 80cm3

 Volume and Density
Volume of an
irregular solid

Using a Eureka (displacement) can

Fill the Eureka can until it stops

over-flowing.

Gently lower the irregular solid

into the can and measure how
much displaced liquid is collected
in the measuring cylinder.
 Volume and Density
Volume of an
irregular solid

Using a Eureka (displacement) can

Mass of irregular solid = 350g

Volume of irregular solid = 80cm3

Density = mass / volume

Density = 350 / 80 = 4.375g/cm3

 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.4 Density
Core
• Recall and use the equation ρ =
m/V
• Describe an experiment to
determine the density of a liquid
and of a regularly shaped solid and
make the necessary calculation
• Describe the determination of
the density of an irregularly
shaped solid by the method of
displacement
• Predict whether an object will
float based on density data
PHYSICS – Density