Name: ___________________________________ Hour: ________________
Density and Earth Materials Lab
Part 1: Work on this part alone as soon as the bell rings.
1. Please re-examine the density demo up front. It is called a four color column.
Red Fluid Density = 1.38 g/ml
Clear Fluid Density = 0.93 g/ml
Blue Fluid Density = 1.00 g/ml
Clear Gas = 0.001 g/ml
2. Which layer above is the most dense? (Circle)
Red
3. Which layer above is the least dense? (Circle) Red
Yellow
Yellow
Green Clear
Green Clear
4. What exactly is density?
5. Now the purpose of today’s lab is not to completely review all that you have already learned about density. The
purpose of the lab is to apply what you have learned about density in building an understanding of how the Earth’s
layers are ordered according to density. The densities of the above materials are obviously not the same as the four
main layers of the earth. However, please compare each layer above with the four layers of the Earth. The first one is
done for you.
a. The clear gas layer has the least density and is like the …… Crust except the crust is solid
b.
c.
d.
6. It should be clear that the inner most materials are of greater density, and the outer most materials "float" on these
more dense materials. Why does the density of these layers vary so much?
Part 2: (Get in your assigned group for this part)
Using Density to Determine Earth's Interior: Materials of the Earth
1. Obtain a sample of iron, nickel, basalt, aluminum and granite. Determine the density of each sample using the
formula; Density = Mass/ Volume
Basalt Definition = Volcanic rock (or lava) that characteristically is dark in color, contains 45 to 54 percent silica, and
generally is rich in iron and magnesium. Basalt is the most abundant volcanic rock in the Earth's crust. A greater
percentage of it is found in the Oceanic Crust.
Granite Definition = Granite is commonly found on continents but virtually absent from the ocean basins. A lightcolored, coarse-grained igneous rock formed by cooling of silica-rich magma below the surface of the earth. Granite is
considered to be the average composition of the continental crust of the earth.
Iron Definition = Iron is a chemical element. Iron is a metal that is naturally found underground and mined. Iron is also
released to the environment by human activities. Iron is silvery in color but rusts easily and turns orange when exposed
to air and water. It is the most widely used of all the metals.
Silica Definition = Silica is a very common mineral composed of silicon and oxygen (SiO 2). Silicates make up about
95% of the Earth's crust.
Aluminum Definition = Aluminum is a lightweight, silver-white, metallic element that makes up approximately 7
percent of the Earth's crust.
Nickel Definition = Silver colored metallic element with an atomic symbol of Ni. It is used extensively for coins, to
make armored plates and is malleable and ductile.
Note: The samples may not be pure. For example the steel nail representing the Iron is made mostly of Iron. The
nickel five cent piece is supposed to be made mostly of actual nickel? However, the coin is only 25% pure nickel. The
other 75% of the coin is made of copper. During WWII the nickels were made of a silver alloy because nickel was a
critical war material.
Iron density = ___________________
Granite density = ___________________
Nickel density = _______________________
Basalt density = ___________________
Aluminum density = _____________________________
Silica density = _______________________________________
Which has the greatest density?
Which has the least density?
2. Does your sample’s density agree with the density of each layer of the earth in which it is found in the
greatest abundance? Why or Why not?
Layer
Density
(g/cm3)
Crust: Continental
2.7
Crust: Oceanic
3.0
Mantle
4.5
Outer Core
11.5
Inner Core
13.0
What is this layer supposed to be made
of? Use your notes for help.