DENSITY

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance.

Matter is a substance which has mass and occupies space. The

density of matter refers to how much mass is in a given volume. If
we consider a bar of soap and a bar of steel with the same
volume, the steel will have more mass because it has a greater
density. The density is greater in steal because more atoms are
closely packed in comparison to the soap. Although they are both
the same size, the bar of steel will be "heavier" because it has
more mass.
.
𝜌 = density (kgm-3)
𝑚
𝜌= m = mass (kg)
𝑉 V = volume (m3)

FINDING THE DENSITY OF A REGULAR OBJECT

1. Measure the mass of the solid using an electronic balance.

2. Measure the dimensions of the solid using a ruler or Vernier
caliper.
3. Calculate the volume of the object using the appropriate
formula.
𝑚
4. Calculate the density of the solid using the formula 𝜌 = 𝑉 .

Cuboid Cylinder
The volume of a cuboid, 𝑉 = 𝐿 × 𝑊 × 𝐻 The volume of a cylinder, 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
L is the length of the cuboid πr2 is the area of the circular cross-section
W is the width of the cuboid h is the height of the cylinder.
H is the height of the cuboid
Prism
Cube The volume of a prism, 𝑉 = 𝐴 × 𝐿
The volume of a cube, 𝑉 = 𝐿3 𝐴 is the area of the cross-section of the prism
L is the length of a side of the cube 𝐿 is the length of the prism

Sphere Pyramid
4 1
The volume of a sphere, 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟 3 The volume of a pyramid, 𝑉 = 3 𝐴ℎ
r is the radius of the sphere A is the area of the base of the pyramid

Physics Handout Compiled by Melissa Harrichandsingh

FINDING THE DENSITY OF AN IRREGULAR OBJECT

Method 1
Displacement can
1. Measure the mass of the solid using an electronic balance.
2. Place the displacement can on a flat elevated surface and fill to the
brim with water
3. Carefully lower the object into the displacement can using a piece of
string.
4. Measure the volume of displaced water in the measuring cylinder.
𝑚
5. Calculate the density of the solid using the formula 𝜌 = 𝑉 .

Method 2

1. Measure the mass of the object using an electronic balance.

2. Fill a measuring cylinder with enough water to submerse the object,
and record this volume (V1).
3. Carefully lower the object in the measuring cylinder and ensure it is
submersed (use a piece of string).
4. Record this volume (V2).
𝑚
5. Calculate the density of the solid using the formula 𝜌 = 𝑉 𝑉 .
2− 1

Density of Liquids and Gases

 The density of liquids and gases can be calculated the same way as in
solids. If the mass and volume of a liquid is known, the density can be
calculated. We can often determine which liquid has a greater
density by mixing two liquids and seeing how they settle.

 The more dense liquid will fall towards the bottom, or 'sink'. If
you have ever added olive oil to water, you have seen it sits on
the surface, or floats'. This is because olive oil is less dense than
water.

 Fog occurs when water vapor becomes more dense than air ("a
cloud that sinks in air"). This principle can be used with solids
and liquids. In fact, it is the density of an object that determines if it
will float or sink in water. Objects with densities greater than water
will sink.

Physics Handout Compiled by Melissa Harrichandsingh

 DENSITY PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1) Calculate
a) the density of a substance of volume 3m3 and mass 18kg
b) the mass of a solid of density 14gcm-3 and volume 7cm3
c) the volume of a liquid of density 2gcm-3 and mass 72g.

2)

3)

4) An object has a density of 10.00 g/cm3. If the object has a volume of 25.00 mL, what is its mass?

5) A metal cylinder has a mass of 6.20 g. The density of the cylinder is 21.0 g/mL. What is its volume?

Physics Handout Compiled by Melissa Harrichandsingh

 6)

What is the ring made of? What material is the block made of?

7) An object has a volume of 16cm3 and a mass of 40g. Calculate its density in gcm-3 and kgm-3.

8) A rectangular block of wood has the following dimensions: 8mm x 5mm x 100mm
a) Calculate the volume of the block in
(i) mm3 (ii) m3
b) If the density of the block is 650 kgm-3, find the mass of the block.
9) Ivory soap is famous for "soap that floats". If a 5cm x 3cm x 10cm bar of ivory soap weighs 1.35 N, show that its
density is less than water.

10) When 1cm3 of water is boiled, 1600cm3 of steam is produced. Starting from the density of water (1gcm-3), use this
information to calculate the density of steam.

Physics Handout Compiled by Melissa Harrichandsingh