Name _____________________________ Date ________________ Core ______ Page ______
Lab: Mass, Volume, and Density
Station 1: Investigate Mass
At this station you will find 3 objects. Estimate: Arrange the objects in order from least to greatest
mass. Then record the name of the objects in order of mass in the first row. Then find the actual mass
using the digital balance. Don’t forget to include your units (g)!
Less Mass
More Mass
Name Object in
Order of Mass
Measured Mass
grams (g)
Station 2: Investigate Volume of Regular Shaped Objects
At this station you will find 3 objects. Estimate: Arrange the objects in order from least to greatest
volume. Write the name of the objects in order in the table below. Then, calculate the actual volume in
millimeters using the formula ‘length (l) x width (w) x height (h)’. Record the calculated volume below.
Less Volume
More Volume
Name Object in
Order of Volume
Calculated Volume in
mm3
Station 3: Investigate Volume of Irregular Shaped Objects
At this station you will find 3 objects. Estimate: Arrange the objects in order from least to greatest
volume. Write the name of the object in order in the table below. Then, determine the volume of each
object using the water displacement method (find the difference between the volume of water in the
graduated cylinder with the object and without!). Record the measured volume below. Remember! Volume
measurements are cubed3!
Less Volume
Name Object in
Order of Volume
Measured Volume
(mL3)
More Volume
Station 4: Investigate Density
At this station you will find 3 numbered objects. Use the digital balance to find the mass for each of
the objects in grams (g). Record the mass in the table. Then, find the volume of each object using the
appropriate method (formula ‘l x w x h’ or water displacement). Record the volume of each object in the
table below. Calculate the density of each object using the formula D = M/V. Round your answer to the
nearest 10th! Don’t forget the units (g/mm3 or g/mL3)!
Object 1
Object 2
Object 3
Mass (g)
Volume (mm3 or mL3)
Density
Station 5: Density Spheres
At this station you will find 3 density spheres. Use the water displacement method to determine the
volume of each sphere. Record the volume in the table below. Find the mass of each sphere using the
digital balance. Record the mass in the table below. Calculate the density of each sphere using the
formula D=M/V and record. Don’t forget units!
Mass (g)
Volume (mL3)
Density (g/mL3)
Sphere # 1
Sphere # 2
Sphere # 3
Station 6: Mystery Canisters
Using the materials at this station, modify three film canisters so that they will float, sink, or remain
suspended in the middle of a tub of the tank. Canister 1 should float, canister 2 should remain suspended
in the middle of the tank, and canister 3 should sink to the bottom. Draw a diagram showing the
canisters in the tank below. After you have completed your diagram, use the equipment provided to find
the mass and volume of each canister (if using water displacement, you may use the end of your pencil to
gently hold the floating canister under water). Record the information in the chart below. Finally,
calculate the density for each canister using the formula D = M/V.
Mass (g)
Canister 1
Canister 2
Canister 3
Diagram:
Volume (mL3)
Density (g/mL3)
Post Lab: Create a POYO showing what you have learned about mass, volume, and density from this
activity. What does density have to do with objects floating or sinking? Your POYO should cover an
entire page, have at least 3 colors, and DEMONSTRATE what you learned!