Lab: Density
Purpose: to calculate the density of various substances and determine whether the objects will
sink or float in water.
Materials:
Part 1
10 ml graduated cylinder
triple beam balance
50 ml graduated cylinder
various objects
Part 2
Container of water
Calculator
Part 1
A. Take the mass of a 50 beaker and record it in Table 1.
B. Measure 10 mL of water in the graduated cylinder marked “water” and pour the water into the
beaker. Record the volume of the water in Table 1.
C. Take the mass of the beaker and water and record the mass in Table 1.
D. Dump the water into the sink and use a paper towel to dry out the beaker.
E. Repeat steps A-D for the oil (but pour the oil back into the beaker of oil, not down the drain).
F. Choose 1 of the cubes from your tray and record the number of the block in Table 2.
G. Measure the mass of the cube and record it in Table 2.
H. Measure the length, width and height of the block and record these measurements (in cm) in
Table 2.
I. Record the identity of the last object in your tray in table in Table 3.
J. Determine the mass of the object and record this measurement in Table 3.
K. Use the 50 ml graduated cylinder (and the liquid displacement method) to determine the volume
of this object. Record this measurement in Table 3.
Part 2
L. Record the number of the blocks you measured in steps F-H in Table 4.
M. Record the identity of the last object you measured in Table 4.
N. Use the formula D = m/V to calculate the density of the all substances. Record these densities in
Table 4.
O. Carefully place each object in the container of water. Record whether each object sinks or floats.
Name _____________________________________
Lab Worksheet: Density
Table 1: Water Measurements
Substance Measured
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Water
Oil
Table 2: Block Measurements
Mass (g)
Length (cm)
Width (cm)
Block #
Identity of object
Substance
Water
Oil
Block # ______
Block # ______
Substance:
Table 3: Object
Mass (g)
Height (cm)
Volume (mL)
Table 4: Densities of Substances
Density
Sink or float?
g/mL
g/mL
g/cm3
g/cm3
g/mL
Questions:
1. Which substances floated?
2. Which substances sunk?
3. In general, did the substances that floated have a density greater than or less than 1?
4. Predict whether the following substances will float or sink.
Hydrogen (0.00009 g/cm3) - ________________________
Aluminum (2.7 g/cm3) - _____________________
Gold (19.3 g/cm3) - _____________________
5. Use the information in lab to explain why a helium-filled balloon floats in air.