Earth System Science
NAME
DATE
PERIOD
NUMBER
Partner Name
DENSITY BLOCK
Problem:
To indentify substances based on their density.
Materials:
Set of density blocks
Triple beam balance
Calculator
Metric Ruler
Procedure: 1. Obtain one of the labeled density block sets. Mass the block on
the triple beam balance. Record the mass of the block in
Data Table 1.
2. Measure the length, width, and height of the block in cm using
the metric ruler. Then find the volume of this regular solid
using:
V=lxwxh
3. Record the volume in Data Table 1.
4. Determine the density for the block using a calculator and the
following formula (round to the nearest hundredth):
D=m
v
5. Record the density in Data Table 1.
Data Table 1
Block
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Substance
Mass (g)
1
Volume (cm3)
Density
(g/cm3)
Earth System Science
Partner Name
NAME
DATE
PERIOD
NUMBER
Conclusion:
1. Refer to Data Table 2. Based on the densities you calculated, fill in
the name of each substance in Data Table 1.
2. Using your knowledge of density and the densities of the substances
in this lab, predict in Data Table 2 which blocks will sink in water
and which will float.
3. Compare the volume of each block. State the pattern:
.
4. Is the pattern found in #3 also found in the densities?
.
5. Given the Density of water = 1, give a list of the substances that have
a density less than or equal to that of water:
.
Data Table 2
Substance
Density (g/cm3)
Acrylic
1.1 – 1.2
Aluminum
2.7
Brass
8.5
Copper
8.9
Oak
0.60 – 0.90
Pine
0.45
Polypropylene
0.90 – 0.92
PVC
1.4
Steel
7.9
Poplar
0.35 – 0.50
2
Prediction (sink or float?)