DENSITY OF THE EARTH’S LAYERS LAB
NAME________________________
Class___________ Date __________
ASK A QUESTION: How does the material a substance is made of affect its density?
LAB PROCEDURE RESEARCH:
1. Define mass.
2. Define volume.
3. Define density.
4. Why do some objects float in water and some objects sink in water?
5. What is the formula for calculating density? (I love density)
6. “Heft” the granite, basalt, and iron compound samples. Which feels denser? _____________
FORM A HYPOTHESIS:
If I determine the density of granite, basalt, and an iron compound, I predict the ______________ to be the densest
because_______________________________________________________________________________________.
TEST THE HYPOTHESIS: (Be sure to use the correct units!!)
1. Using a balance, determine the mass of each sample. Record the data to the nearest tenth of a unit.
Repeat for accuracy.
FIRST TRIAL
SECOND TRIAL
AVERAGE MASS
GRANITE
BASALT
IRON COMPOUND
2. Using water displacement, determine the volume of each sample. Record the data to the nearest tenth of a unit. (Be
sure you gently slide the sample into the graduated cylinder so that it does not splash). Repeat for accuracy.
FIRST TRIAL
SECOND TRIAL
AVERAGE VOLUME
GRANITE
BASALT
IRON COMPOUND
3. Calculate and record the density of each sample (to the nearest tenth of a unit).
FIRST TRIAL
SECOND TRIAL
GRANITE
BASALT
IRON COMPOUND
ANALYZE RESULTS:
Read the research article and your data to answer the following questions.
1. Oceanic crust mainly consists of the rock _________________ which is composed of
2. Continental crust mainly consists of the rock _________________ which is composed of
3. What is Earth’s core composed of and why is it at the center of the Earth?
4. Which rock is mafic?
Felsic?
AVERAGE DENSITY