Name_____________________________________Date___________Period___________
Lab partners:_______________________________________________________________
Lab 3.5 Density of Solids
Purpose: To see how the mass and volume of an object are related to its density
Hypothesis:
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Rationale:
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Materials:
3 metal blocks
Balance
Metric ruler
Graduated cylinder
Small stone
Safety: safety goggles, proper handling of glassware, chemicals
Procedure:
1. Look at the 2 cubes that have the same volume.
Can you decide whether they have the same or different masses simply by handling them?
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2. Mass the two cubes
Mass of cube 1 (light)
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Mass of cube 2 (heavy)
_________________
Which of the cubes has the greater density? Why?
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3. Now, just by handling them, compare the mass of each of the cubes with the mass of your slab
which has a different volume.
Can you decide in this way if the third object is made of a different substance? Why or why not?
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4. Measure the dimensions of each of the three blocks as accurately as possible. Record your
measurements below. It may be easiest to start at a corner to make sure you get all three
measures.
Object
Length
Width
Height
Volume (cm3)
lxwxh
cube 1
(light)
cube 2
(heavy)
Slab
5. Calculate the volume and density of each. Record.
Object
Volume (cm3)
lxwxh
Mass (g)
Density (g/cm3)
cube 1
(light)
cube 2
(heavy)
Slab
In order to fill in the above table, use the formula below:
Density =
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 (𝑔)
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 (𝑐𝑚3 )
Are you now able to decide whether or not the third object is made of the same substance as either of
the other two cubes?
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Density of a Stone - Find the volume of an irregularly shaped object (stone) by the displacement of
water.
6. Mass the stone and calculate its density. Record.
Mass of the stone
Initial graduated cylinder reading
Final graduated cylinder reading
Volume:
Density of the stone =
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Final graduated cylinder reading
- Initial graduated cylinder reading
Volume of the stone
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 (𝑔)
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
(𝑐𝑚3 )
=
(𝑔)
(𝑐𝑚3 )
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______________
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= _________𝑔⁄𝑐𝑚3
7. Compare your stone’s density with 3 other groups to see if they used pieces that came from the
same rock.
Group 1________________ Group 2 _________________ Group 3__________________
What possible reasons could you give for the different measured values of density?
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Conclusion:
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