Name: ________________________________________
Period: _____________
Density Webquest
TEK 6.6B: Calculate density to identify an unknown substance.
Introduction: Density is a physical property of matter that is calculated by dividing the mass
of an object by its volume. Volume can be computed for a regular object by multiplying
length x width x height. Another way to compute volume is by submerging an object into a
liquid. You must record the starting volume of the liquid and the final volume after the
object has been submerged. Then subtract the starting volume from the final volume.
Procedure:
 Google search “phet density”
 Click on the first link.
 Click on “Run Now”
Objectives:
 Describe how the concept of density relates to an object's mass and volume.
 Explain how objects of similar mass can have differing volume, and how objects of
similar volume can have differing mass.
 Measure the volume of an object by observing the amount of fluid it displaces.
 Identify an unknown material by calculating its density and comparing to a table of
known densities.
Investigate:
1. Drop the blocks in water one at a time to observe the density of each material.
Material
Mass
Volume
Density
(Mass/Volume)
Styrofoam
0.75 kg
5L
0.15 kg/L
Wood
Ice
Brick
Aluminum
2. On the Blocks menu (top right) select Same Mass.
3. One at a time, take a block, lower it into the liquid, and record its volume. If it floats,
you will need to hold it under the water to record its volume. Then compute each
block’s density (density = mass divided by volume).
Name: ________________________________________
Blocks with Same Mass
Block
Mass
Blue
Period: _____________
Volume
5 kg
Density
(Mass/Volume)
1 kg/L
5L
Yellow
Green
Red
4. Repeat for Same Volume.
Block
Mass
Volume
Blue
6 kg
5L
Density
(Mass/Volume)
1.2 kg/L
Yellow
Green
Red
5. Repeat for Same Density
Block
Mass
Volume
Blue
3 kg
3L
Density
(Mass/Volume)
1 kg/L
Yellow
Green
Red
6. Repeat for Mystery. This time you will have to measure the mass of each object using
the balance. After computing the density, select Show Table and identify each object.
Block
Mass
Volume
Density
Identification
A
65.14
3.38
19.3
Gold
B
C
D
E
Name: ________________________________________
Period: _____________