Describing Matter
and
Its Properties
Teacher's Guide
Editors:
Brian A. Jerome, Ph.D.
Stephanie Zak Jerome
Assistant Editors:
Lyndsey Canfield
Louise Marrier
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Table of Contents
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A Message from our Company
2
Viewing Clearances
2
Use and Copyright
2
National Standards Correlations
4
Student Learning Objectives
5
Assessment
6
Introducing the Program
7
Program Viewing Suggestions
7
Video Script
8
Answer Key to Student Assessments
12
Answer Key to Student Activities
13
Pre-Test
14
Post-Test
16
Video Review
18
Vocabulary
19
Writing Activity
20
Comparing Physical and Chemical Properties
21
Finding Mass and Volume
23
Density
25
Describing Matter and Its Properties
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National Standards Correlations
Benchmarks for Science Literacy
(Project 2061 - AAAS) Grades 3-5
The Physical Setting - The Structure of Matter (4D)
By the end of the 2nd grade, students should know that:
• Objects can be described in terms of the materials they are made of (clay, cloth, paper,
etc.) and their physical properties (color, size, shape, weight, texture, flexibility, etc.)
By the end of the 5th grade, students should know that:
• No matter how parts of an object are assembled, the weight of the whole object made is
always the same as the sum of the parts; and when a thing is broken into parts, the
parts have the same total weight as the original thing.
National Science Education Standards
(Content Standards: K-4, National Academy of Sciences)
Physical Science - Content Standard B
As a result of their activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an
understanding of:
• Objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color,
temperature, and the ability to react with other substances. Those properties can be
measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers.
• Objects are made of one or more materials, such as paper, wood, and metal. Objects
can be described by the properties of the materials from which they are made, and those
properties can be used to separate or sort a group of objects or materials.
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Student Learning Objectives
Upon viewing the video and completing the enclosed student activities,
students will be able to do the following:
• Define matter as anything that has mass and volume.
• List several common examples of matter.
• Describe some of the physical properties of matter.
• Define volume as the amount of space something takes up.
• Understand that in the metric system, liquid volume is commonly measured in units of
liters and milliliters. Cubic centimeters are often used to measure the volume of solids.
• Explain that mass is the amount of matter in an object.
• Describe how the mass of solid objects in the metric system is measured in units of
grams, milligrams, and kilograms.
• Explain that the pull of gravity on an object determines the weight of that object.
• Understand how the weight of an object can change depending on its location; but its
mass remains constant.
• Compare and contrast the weight of the same object on Earth and on the moon.
• Define density as the amount of matter in a given amount of volume.
• Compute the density of an object when given its mass and volume.
• Understand that chemical properties describe matter based on its ability to change into
a new substance with different properties.
• List some examples of chemical properties.
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Assessment
Preliminary Test (p. 14-15):
The Preliminary Test is an assessment tool designed to gain an
understanding of students’ preexisting knowledge. It can also be used as a
benchmark upon which to assess student progress based on the objectives
stated on the previous pages.
Post-Test (p. 16-17):
The Post-Test can be utilized as an assessment tool following student
completion of the program and student activities. The results of the
Post-Test can be compared against the results of the Preliminary Test to
assess student progress.
Video Review (p. 18):
The Video Review can be used as an assessment tool or as a student
activity. There are two sections. The first part contains questions displayed
during the program. The second part consists of a five-question video quiz
to be answered at the end of the video.
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Introducing the Program
Before showing the video program to your students hold up the following
objects: a paper clip, ice, and a match. Beginning with the paper clip, ask
students to list some of its properties (characteristics). Examples of some of
its properties include: silver color, made of metal, its shape, and the fact that
it can be bent. Write the properties on the board. Then, have students focus
their attention on the ice. Ask them how the ice has changed during the past
few minutes. Encourage students to describe the properties of ice. Ask them
how ice is similar and different from liquid water. Explain to students that most
of the characteristics they have used to describe the paper clip and the ice are
physical properties. Write the term “physical properties” on the board.
Next, hold up the unlit match. Ask students to list some of the physical
properties of the match. Write their suggestions on the board. Tell students
to pay close attention. Light the match. Ask students to describe what they
observed. Now show them the burned match and ask them how it changed.
Write the term “chemical properties” on the board. Explain to students that the
match has a chemical property called flammability. Tell students to pay close
attention to the video to learn more about the physical and chemical properties
of matter.
Program Viewing Suggestions
The student master “Video Review” is provided (p.18) for distribution to
students. You may choose to have your students complete this Master while
viewing the program or do so upon its conclusion.
The program is approximately 14 minutes in length and includes a five-question
video quiz. Answers are not provided to the Video Quiz in the video, but are
included in this guide on page 12. You may choose to grade student quizzes
as an assessment tool or to review the answers in class.
The video is content-rich with numerous vocabulary words. For this reason you
may want to periodically stop the video to review and discuss new terminology
and concepts.
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Video Script
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Look around you. What do you see?
Hold your wrist. What do you feel?
Touch the desk in front of you. What does it feel like?
All of these observations involve matter.
Everything we see and touch is made of matter.
And even things we can’t see, such as air, are made of matter.
So, what exactly is matter?
How is matter described?
And how can matter be measured?
During the next few minutes we’re going to answer these questions and others as
we describe matter and its properties.
Graphic Transition - Matter
This bird flying through the air,…
…this boat sailing on the ocean,…
…and this ski jumper gliding through the winter air all consist of matter.
You Decide! Is the gas filling this balloon considered matter?
Yes, gas also consists of matter.
Matter is anything that has mass and volume.
We’ll talk more about mass and volume later.
You experience matter through your senses of smell, taste, sight, and touch.
Things, such as plants, animals, and buildings, are examples of matter that are
easily recognized.
But, gases that are common in air, such as oxygen and water vapor, are not as
easily recognized.
Different types of matter have different characteristics referred to as properties.
One way to describe matter is based on physical properties. A physical property
can be observed or measured without changing the makeup of the matter.
You observe physical properties all the time.
…you touch objects to see if they are hot,...
...and you react to different colors.
Shape, color, texture, and size are just a few examples of physical properties of
matter.
Graphic Transition - Matter and Volume
When this hot air balloon is deflated, it doesn’t take up much space.
But when it is fully inflated, it takes up a lot of space.
Volume is the amount of space that something takes up.
Objects of different sizes have different volumes.
Solids, liquids, and gases all have volume.
You have probably measured volume if you’ve ever cooked,…
…or if you’ve ever filled a car with gasoline.
Describing Matter and Its Properties
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Video Script
36. In order to accurately measure volume, it is necessary to use a measuring
system. The metric system is the system of measurement used in most countries
and by scientists.
37. Liters and milliliters are units used to express the volume of liquids in the metric
system.
38. This bottle contains one liter of water.
39. A swimming pool contains thousands of liters of water.
40. This is one milliliter of water. There are one thousand milliliters in one liter.
41. Things like cough syrup are measured in milliliters.
42. One milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter, another unit of volume.
43. A cubic centimeter has a length of one centimeter, a height of one centimeter, and
a width of one centimeter.
44. Cubic centimeters are often used to measure the volume of solids.
45. Graphic transition - Matter as Mass
46. Another property of matter is mass.
47. Mass is the amount of matter in an object.
48. You Compare! What has more mass, this small child or this teenager?
49. The teenager has more mass.
50. As you grow, your mass increases.
51. All objects - solids, liquids, and even gases - have mass.
52. In the metric system the mass of solid objects is measured in units of grams,
milligrams, and kilograms.
53. Graphic Transition - Comparing Mass and Weight
54. The mass of an object does not change when you move it from one place to
another.
55. For example, this soccer ball has the same mass whether it’s resting on the
ground,…
56. ...or traveling through the air.
57. In fact, it even has the same mass on the moon because it contains the same
amount of matter!
58. The pull of gravity on an object determines the weight of that object; not the mass.
59. You Decide! Does the soccer ball weigh the same on the moon as it does on
the Earth?
60. No, the soccer ball weighs much less on the moon because the moon has
significantly less gravity than Earth.
61. So, while the mass of an object remains the same, its weight varies depending on
its location.
62. The metric unit of weight is the newton. The newton is a unit of force. Weight is
the amount of force Earth’s gravity exerts on an object.
63. An object that has a mass of one kilogram is pulled to Earth with a force of 9.8
newtons.
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Video Script
64. So, we can say that a one kilogram mass on Earth weighs 9.8 newtons.
65. While scientists sometimes use newtons to describe weight, we typically don’t.
Instead, we describe the weight of objects in metric units of mass - grams,
milligrams, or kilograms - ...
66. ... or in English units of ounces or pounds.
67. Graphic Transition - Density
68. This golf ball and ping-pong ball are about the same size.
69. You Compare! What would hurt more – to be hit with a ping-pong ball or a golf
ball?
70. A golf ball would hurt a lot more than a ping-pong ball because a golf ball has a
much greater density.
71. What is density? Density is the amount of matter in a given amount of volume.
72. We can calculate density using the formula: density equals mass divided by
volume.
73. To find the density of an object, you measure the mass of the object…
74. …and the volume it takes up.
75. For example, this box has a volume of 1575 cubic centimeters.
76. The same box when filled with stones has a mass of 3000 grams.
77. When we divide the mass of 3000 grams by the volume of 1575 cubic
centimeters, we get a density of 1.9 grams per cubic centimeter.
78. Graphic Transition – Chemical Properties
79. So far we have discussed some physical properties of matter.
80. Another group of properties, called chemical properties, describe matter based on
its ability to change into a new substance with different properties.
81. For example, when wood is burned, it changes into heat energy, smoke, and
ashes.
82. Flammability, the ability of something to burn, is an example of a chemical
property.
83. The ability of materials to react with other materials to form new materials is
another chemical property.
84. For example, iron has the ability to rust when it reacts with oxygen in the air.
85. These are just a couple of examples of the many kinds of chemical properties.
86. Graphic Transition – Summing Up
87. During the past few minutes we have explored some of the fascinating ways to
describe matter.
88. We began by discussing that matter is anything that has mass and takes up
space.
89. Some of the physical properties of matter were highlighted.
90. More specifically, we discussed how mass and matter are measured.
91. The definition of density was described, and the process of calculating density
was explained.
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Video Script
92.
93.
94.
95.
Last we briefly explored some of the chemical properties of matter.
So, the next time you measure a liquid...
...weigh something...
...or describe a chemical property of something, think about some of the things
we’ve discussed during the past few minutes.
96. You might just think about the process of describing matter a little differently.
97. Graphic Transition – Video Assessment
Fill in the correct word to complete the sentence. Good luck and let’s get started.
1. A ______ is a characteristic of matter.
2. _______ is the amount of space something takes up.
3. The _____ of an object does not change when it is moved from place to place.
4. _____ is the mass of matter in a given amount of volume.
5. ______ properties describe matter based on it’s ability to change into a new
and different substance.
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Answer Key to Student Assessments
Pre-Test (p. 14-15)
1. b - matter
2. d - properties
3. a - physical properties
4. a - volume
5. c - liters and milliliters
6. d - the pull of gravity
7. b - Newton
8. c - density
9. a - a new substance
10. b - flammability
11. true
12. false
13. true
14. true
15. false
16. Matter is anything that has mass and
volume.
17. A car takes up much more space and
therefore has a greater volume.
18. Liters and milliliters are units used to
express the volume of liquids in the metric
system.
19. Its mass stays the same.
20. Density is the amount of matter in a
given amount of volume.
Post-Test (p. 16-17)
1. c - liters and milliliters
2. a - a new substance
3. b - matter
4. d - the pull of gravity
5. a - physical properties
6. b - Newton
7. d - properties
8. b - flammability
9. a - volume
10. c - density
11. true
12. true
13. false
14. true
15. false
16. Its mass stays the same.
17. Matter is anything that has mass and
volume.
18. Density is the amount of matter in a
given amount of volume.
19. Liters and milliliters are units used
to express the volume of liquids in the
metric system.
20. A car takes up much more space and
therefore has a greater volume.
Video Review (p. 18)
1. Yes, the gas filling the balloon also consists of matter.
2. The teenager has more mass than the small child.
3. No, the soccer ball does not weigh the same on the moon as it does on Earth. It
weighs much less on the moon because the moon has significantly less gravity than Earth.
4. A golf ball would hurt a lot more than a ping-pong ball because the golf ball has a much
greater density.
1. A property is a characteristic of matter.
2. Volume is the amount of space something takes up.
3. The mass of an object does not change when it is moved from place to place.
4. Density is the mass of matter in a given amount of volume.
5. Chemical properties describe matter based on its ability to change into a new and different
substance.
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Answer Key to Student Activities
Vocabulary (p. 19 )
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
matter
property
physical properties
volume
mass
weight
Newton
density
chemical properties
flammability
Writing Activity (p. 20)
Everywhere we look we see matter. Matter
is anything that has mass and volume.
Various types of matter have different
characteristics referred to as properties.
Physical properties such as size, color,
and texture can be observed without
changing the make-up of matter. Volume,
the amount of space something takes up is
an example of a physical property. In the
metric system, liquid volume is measured in
units of liters or milliliters. Mass, another
physical property, is the amount of matter
in something. The mass of an object
doesn’t change when you move it. The
pull of gravity on an object determines the
weight of that object. The weight of an
object can vary depending on its location.
Another group of properties called chemical
properties describe matter based on its
ability to change into a new and different
substance.
In Your Own Words (p. 20)
1. Mass is the amount of matter in
something whereas volume is the amount of
space it takes up.
2. A tennis ball is round, bouncy, fuzzy, and
hollow.
3. Density is the amount of mass per unit of
volume. A rock has more mass per unit of
volume than a tennis ball.
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Comparing Physical and Chemical
Properties (p. 21-22)
1. Physical properties: wood, red tip,
lightweight. Chemical properties: burns
when struck; emits a sulfur smell.
2. Physical properties: white powder; clear
liquid. Chemical properties: when combined
they fizz and bubble.
3. Physical properties: silver, pointed, and
metallic. Chemical properties: orange color
is evidence of rusting.
4. Physical properties: white, smooth, crisp.
Chemical properties: flammable, remaining
ashes are gray and crumbly.
Finding Mass and Volume
(p. 23-24)
Check the math of students to make sure
they have correctly calculated volume.
Also provide students with instructions on
how to safely use a balance scale.
1. You measure the length, height, and
width and then multiply all three to find the
volume of a regularly shaped solid.
2. Liters and milliliters are used to
measure liquid volume.
3. Mass is the amount of matter in a
substance. Volume is the amount of
space it takes up.
Density (p. 25)
1. Density is the amount of matter in a
given space. To calculate density of an
object the mass is divided by the volume.
2. The brick has the greatest density.
3. The sponge will float. The brick will
sink.
Describing Matter and Its Properties
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Pre-Test
Name
Circle the best answer for each of the following questions.
1. All the objects you see around you are made of:
a. water
b. matter
c. iron
d. plasma
2. Matter has different characteristics referred to as:
a. atoms
b. colors
c. traits
d. properties
3. Shape, color, texture, and size are examples of:
a. physical properties
b. elements
c. chemical properties
d. matter
4. The amount of space matter takes up is referred to as:
a. volume
b. weight
c. density
d. mass
5. In the metric system, liquid volume is commonly measured in:
a. grams
b. meters
c. liters and
milliliters
d. pounds
c. cellular
structure
d. the pull of
gravity
c. decimeter
d. pound
6. The weight of an object is determined by:
a. crystal structure
b. chemical
makeup
7. The metric unit of weight is the:
a. liter
b. Newton
8. The amount of matter in a given amount of volume is referred to as:
a. weight
b. mass
c. density
2
d. volume
9. Chemical properties describe matter based on its ability to change into:
a. a new substance
b. the same thing c. water
d. a powder
10. Which of the following is an example of a chemical property?
a. size
b. flammability
c. color
d. texture
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Pre-Test
Name
Write true or false next to each statement.
11.
Matter is anything that has mass and volume.
12.
Objects of different sizes have the same volume.
13.
As you grow your mass increases.
14.
The mass of an object does not change when you move
it from one place to another.
15.
A golf ball and ping pong ball have the same density.
Write a short answer for each of the following.
16. What is matter?
17. What has greater volume - a car or a baseball?
18. What metric units are used to express the volume of liquids?
19. What happens to the mass of a bowling ball if it is moved from Earth to the moon?
20. Write the definition of density.
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Post-Test
Name
Circle the best answer for each of the following questions.
1. In the metric system, liquid volume is commonly measured in:
a. grams
b. meters
c. liters and
milliliters
d. pounds
2. Chemical properties describe matter based on its ability to change into:
a. a new substance
b. the same thing c. water
d. a powder
3. All the objects you see around you are made of:
a. water
b. matter
c. iron
d. plasma
c. cellular
structure
d. the pull of
gravity
4. The weight of an object is determined by:
a. crystal structure
b. chemical
makeup
5. Shape, color, texture, and size are examples of:
a. physical properties
b. elements
c. chemical properties
d. matter
6. The metric unit of weight is the:
a. liter
b. Newton
c. decimeter
d. pound
7. Matter has different characteristics referred to as:
a. atoms
b. colors
c. traits
d. properties
8. Which of the following is an example of a chemical property?
a. size
b. flammability
c. color
d. texture
9. The amount of space matter takes up is referred to as:
a. volume
b. weight
c. density
d. mass
10. The amount of matter in a given amount of volume is referred to as:
a. weight
b. mass
d. volume2
c. density
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and its Properties
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Post-Test
Name
Write true or false next to each statement.
11.
The mass of an object does not change when you move
it from one place to another.
12.
Matter is anything that has mass and volume.
13.
A golf ball and ping pong ball have the same density.
14.
As you grow your mass increases.
15.
Objects of different sizes have the same volume.
Write a short answer for each of the following.
16. What happens to the mass of a bowling ball if it is moved from Earth to the moon?
17. What is matter?
18. Write the definition of density.
19. What metric units are used to express the volume of liquids?
20. What has greater volume - a car or a baseball?
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Video Review
Name
While you watch the video, answer these questions:
You Decide!
1. Is the gas filling this balloon considered matter?
You Compare!
2. What has more mass, this small child or this teenager?
You Decide!
3. Does the soccer ball weigh the same on the moon as it does on the Earth?
You Compare!
4. What would hurt more - to be hit with a ping-pong ball or a golf ball?
After you watch the video, test your knowledge with these questions.
1. A ______________ is a characteristic of matter.
2. _______________ is the amount of space something takes up.
3. The _______________ of an object does not change when it is moved from place to place.
4. _______________ is the mass of matter in a given amount of volume.
5. _______________ properties describe matter based on its ability to change into a new and
different substance.
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Vocabulary
Name
Use these words to fill in the blanks next to the sentences below.
Words
property
volume
chemical properties
weight
matter
Newton
density
flammability
physical properties
mass
1.
Anything that has mass and takes up space.
2.
A characteristic of matter.
3.
Characteristics that can be observed or measured without
changing the makeup of the matter.
4.
The amount of space something takes up.
5.
The amount of matter in an object.
6.
The pull of gravity on an object.
7.
The metric unit of weight; is a unit of force.
8.
The amount of matter in a given amount of volume.
9.
Describe matter based on its ability to change into a new
substance with different properties.
10.
The ability of something to burn.
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and its Properties
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Writing Activity
Words
physical
matter
mass
location
Name
chemical
liters
properties
weight
different
volume
Use the correct word from above to complete the sentences in the following
paragraph.
Everywhere we look we see matter. ___________ is anything that has mass and volume.
Various types of matter have different characteristics referred to as _________________.
_________________ properties such as size, color, and texture can be observed without
changing the make-up of matter. ____________, the amount of space something takes up is
an example of a physical property. In the metric system, liquid volume is measured in units
of __________ or milliliters. __________, another physical property, is the amount of matter
in something. The mass of an object doesn’t change when you move it. The pull of gravity
on an object determines the ____________ of that object. The weight of an object can vary
depending on its _______________. Another group of properties called _______________
properties describe matter based on its ability to change into a new and ________________
substance.
In Your Own Words
1. What is the difference between mass and volume?
2. List three physical properties of a tennis ball.
3. Explain why a rock has a greater density than a tennis ball.
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Comparing
Name
Physical and
Chemical Properties
Background: As you know, we are surrounded by matter. Everything we see,
touch, and taste is made of matter. Even things we can’t see, such as the air
we breathe, is made of matter. What exactly is matter? Matter is anything that
has mass and volume.
There are many, many different types of matter and there are lots of different ways to describe
matter. Various types of matter have different characteristics referred to as properties. Matter
is commonly described based on physical properties and chemical properties. A physical
property can be observed or measured without changing the makeup of the matter. Whenever
you smell food, touch objects to see if they are hot, or select certain color clothing, you are
observing physical properties of matter.
Another group of properties, called chemical properties, describe matter based on its ability to
change into a new substance with different properties. For example, when wood or paper is
burned it changes into heat energy, smoke and ashes. Flammability, the ability of something
to burn, is an example of a chemical property. The ability of materials to form new materials is
another chemical property. For example, iron has the ability to rust when it reacts with oxygen
in the air. These are just a couple of examples of the many kinds of chemical properties.
In this activity you will compare the physical and chemical properties of several different
objects provided by your instructor.
Materials: match, baking soda, vinegar, beaker, goggles, iron nail, rusted iron nail, paper
Directions:
1. Your teacher will provide you with several different objects. On the next page begin by
describing the physical properties of each object. Use your observation of sight, touch, and
smell. Record your observations.
2. Next, you will describe the chemical properties of each substance. Your teacher will
conduct a demonstration of each material that illustrates one of the chemical properties of each
substance. Record your observations. Also write down any other chemical properties of the
matter.
a. Match - your teacher will demonstrate one of the chemical properties of the match
by lighting it.
b. Baking soda and vinegar - your teacher will add the vinegar to the baking soda to
demonstrate a chemical property.
c. Nail - your teacher will show you a nail that has been exposed to the weather for a
period of time.
d. Paper - your teacher will burn a small piece of paper.
Describing Matter
and its Properties
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Comparing
Name
Physical and
Chemical Properties
1. Match
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
2. Baking
Soda and
Vinegar
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
3. Nail
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
4. Paper
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
Describing Matter
and its Properties
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Finding Mass
and Volume
Name
Background: What are some of the ways you
describe yourself? You might describe yourself as
being a certain height or weighing a certain amount.
You can describe the size of your foot by shoe size,
and the size of your body by the size of a shirt. All
these descriptions are based on your mass and
volume.
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What is volume, and what is mass? Let’s start with volume. Volume is the amount of
space something takes up. Objects of different sizes have different volumes. Solids,
liquids, and gases have volume. In order to accurately measure volume, it is necessary
to use a measuring system. The metric system is the system of measurement used
in most countries and by scientists. Liters and milliliters are units used to express the
volume of liquid in the metric system. One milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter,
another unit of volume. Cubic centimeters are often used to measure the volume of
solids.
Another property of matter is mass. Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Your
body has mass, and when you grow your mass increases. All objects, solids, liquids,
and even gases have mass. The mass of objects in the metric system is measured
in units of grams, milligrams, and kilograms. Mass can be calculated using a balance
scale or other measuring device. In this activity you will measure the volume and mass
of both liquids and solids.
Materials: metric ruler, book, small box, graduated cylinder, and beaker
Directions:
1. To calculate the volume of regularly shaped solids it is necessary to measure the length,
height, and width of the object, and then multiply all three. Volume of regularly shaped objects
is commonly expressed in units of grams/cm3. Using the metric ruler provided by your teacher,
calculate the volume of the book and the small box. Record your answer in the Volume Data
Table. Don’t forget to include units.
2. To calculate the volume of liquids you will need to obtain a graduated cylinder and beaker
from your teacher. Your teacher will also provide you with two sample liquids for which you
need to find the volume. Use the graduated cylinder to find the volume of the small amount of
liquid and the beaker to find the larger amount of liquid. Record your answers in the data table.
Don’t forget to include units.
Describing Matter
and its Properties
Visual Learning Company
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Finding Mass
and Volume
Name
Volume Data Table
Object
Length
Height
Width
______
______
______
______
______
______
Volume
Book
Small box
Liquid in graduated
cylinder
Liquid in beaker
3. In this part of the activity you will measure the mass of several common objects
found in your classroom. You will need to obtain a balance from your teacher to
measure the mass of the objects provided. Your teacher will instruct you on how to
use a balance. Make your measurements to the nearest tenth of a gram.
Mass Data Table
Object
Pen
Grams (g)
7 paper clips
Book
Rock
12 pieces of paper
Questions:
1. How do you find the volume of a regularly shaped solid?
2. What metric units are used to measure liquid volume?
3. What is the difference between mass and volume?
Describing Matter
and its Properties
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Density
Name
Background: As you know there are many physical properties of
matter. Mass and volume are two physical properties. It is possible to
find the mass of an object with a balance. Mass is commonly measured
in metric units of milligrams, grams, and kilograms. The volume of
regularly shaped solids such as a block of wood can easily be calculated
using the following formula: Volume = length x height x width.
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The relationship between mass and volume is another important physical property of matter.
This relationship between mass and volume is referred to as density. Density is the amount of
matter in a given space. In other words it is the amount of mass per unit of volume. Density
mass . Common units of density are
can be calculated using this formula: Density = volume
grams/cm3. In this activity you will calculate and compare the density of several regularly
shaped objects.
Materials: balance, metric ruler, wooden block, brick, and rectangular sponge
Directions:
1. To calculate the density of objects it is first necessary to find their mass and volume. Obtain
a balance and metric ruler from your teacher.
2. Using the balance provided by your teacher measure the mass of the block of wood. Make
your measurement to the nearest tenth in grams. Record your measurement in the data table
in grams.
3. Using the metric ruler provided by your teacher, measure length, the height, and width of the
wooden block. Multiply the three to obtain the volume in cubic centimeters (cm3). Record your
answer in the data table.
4. To obtain the density of the block of wood divide the mass by the volume. Record your
answer in the data table.
5. Make similar measurements to calculate the density of the brick and sponge. Record the
measurements in the data table.
Object
Mass
(grams)
Density Data Table
Length
Height
Width
(cm.)
(cm.)
(cm.)
Volume
cm3
Density
g/cm3
Block of
Wood
Brick
Sponge
Questions:
1. What is density and how do you calculate it?
2. Which object has the greatest density?
3. The density of water is 1g/cm3. What object will float and what object will sink?
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and its Properties
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