Mechanical Principles

D2: The Contrast of Density Measurement Methods in Solids and in Liquids

Matthew Jones
11/ 06/ 2018
Mech. Principles

INTRODUCTION
The following report comprises of the descriptions of methods & formulas used to determine the Masses
and Densities of Solids and Liquids, and the contrasting of those methods used to determine the densities.
DETERMINING THE DENSITY OF A SOLID

In order to determine the density of a solid. The formulative requirements of this are that the mass of the
solid and the volume of the solid are needed to be used in an equation to calculate the overall density of
the solid.

The Mass Value

In order to determine the value of mass of the solid, the solid needs to be weighed by a scale. The mass
value will then be displayed by the scale.

Equipment Required:

A Scale (E.g. A measuring Scale)

The solid itself needs to be placed gently and steadily onto the scale, so that the force used to put it onto
the scale doesn’t affect its calculation of the mass value.

Afterward, take the value displayed by the scale as the value for the mass of the solid. Add the units Kg to
show the units of mass of solid which was measured.

Calculating the Volume

In order to determine the volume of the solid the following equipment is required:

Measuring Tape or Ruler

The measuring tape will be used to take the measurements for the length, width and height of the solid.
These values will be used in the equation:

Volume = Length x Width x Height or V = L x W x H

In practical:

Use the tape measure to get values for the length, width and the height. Then implement those values into
the formula as required and calculate the volume.

If the solid is a complicated shape, divide its cross sections into simpler solids (don't actually cut it up) so
that the volume of them can be more accurately calculated using the formula. Add the volumes of the
different shapes together to determine the volume of the complicated shape.

Calculating the Density

In order to calculate the density of a solid the following formula has to be used:

Density or ⍴ = Mass Value / Volume of the solid

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Implement the values of mass and volume of the solid into the equation and then divide the mass value by
the volume of the solid to get the value for density.

Then add the units for Density (Kg/m^3)

For Example: 150 Kg/m^3

DETERMINING THE DENSITY OF A LIQUID

In order to determine the density of a liquid. The formulative requirements of this are that the Mass and
Volume of the liquid are needed in a sum to calculate the overall density of the solution.

The Mass Value

Mass of Solution = Mass of Beaker with Solution - Mass of the Beaker

The formula above states that the mass of the liquid contained in the beaker is equal to, the combined
mass of the beaker whilst containing liquid minus the mass of the beaker when it is empty.

In a practical situation:

First, the beaker needs to be weighed on a scale in order for the person to determine the mass of the
beaker which will hold the liquid.

Afterward the person must then weigh the beaker when it is containing the liquid so that the mass of the
beaker with solution can be determined.

Finally, after the mass values have been recorded the mass of the beaker must be subtracted from the
mass of the beaker plus the liquid. This is so that the mass of the liquid itself is left.

Determining the Volume

In order to determine the volume of the liquid.

Equipment required:

Measuring Beaker (E.g. measuring cylinder etc…)

Explanation:

In order to determine the volume of the liquid, when it is poured into the measuring cylinder or beaker.
The level of the liquid will align with the measurements located up the side of the beaker, the
measurements inscribed up the side will assist in determining the volume of the liquid which it contains.

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For reference:

1ml = 1cm^3

In practical information:

First pour the liquid into the measuring apparatus. Next look to the side of the beaker etc.. to see the
measuring units (ml or milliliters). Depending on where the level of liquid and correct measurement,
decide upon the volume in ml then convert it into cm^3 using the formula provided above.

Calculating the Density of the Liquid

The formula used to calculate density is:

Density or ⍴ = Mass Value / Volume of the Liquid

Use the information collected in practical, meaning the mass that has been calculated and the volume
which has been determined and implement the values into the formula shown above.

In practical:

Take the value for the mass of the liquid which has been calculated and divide it by the value for the
volume of the liquid. The answer of that calculation will represent the density of the liquid, which means
how tightly packed together the particles of the liquid are in the space (volume) that is available.

Take the value that has been calculated for density and add the units for density which are:

Kg/m^3

For example: 1030 Kg/m^3

CONTRASTING OF SOLID AND LIQUID DENSITY METHODS

Similarities

The mass calculation:

In both methods when calculating the mass of both solids and liquids, they both require apparatus to
determine the mass. In the solid calculation, it requires the use of a measuring scale and in the liquid
calculation it requires the use of a measuring beaker.

The density calculation:

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In both methods when calculating the density of the solid and liquid they both use the same formula. For
example: Density = Mass / Volume.

Differences

The mass calculation:

Although both methods use apparatus to determine the mass of the solid or liquid, the way in which it is
done is slightly different. In the method involving solids, the use of a scale is required, the only step to
determining the mass of the solid is placing it on the scale and reading the value.

Whereas, when determining the mass of the liquid there are more steps and calculations involved. When
beginning the mass calculation of the liquid it requires that the mass of the measuring cylinder be found
first, then to measure the mass of the beaker with the liquid in the beaker.

The following calculation then has to be used to find the mass of the liquid (solution):

Mass of solution = Mass of beaker with solution - Mass of the beaker

Therefore, the main difference between the mass calculation of the two methods is that there are more
steps and calculations involved in determining the mass of the liquid.

The volume calculation:

The difference in the volume calculation between the two methods is that, the solid method requires the
use of a tape measure and a formula to determine its volume but in the liquid method the only step is
reading the value off of the side of the measuring beaker.

The solid method needs the tape measure to find the length, width and height of the solid for the use of
those factors in the volume calculation formula: V = L x W x H.

The liquid method only needs a measuring cylinder as the only step to it is reading the measurement off
the side of the beaker and recording the value, there’s no need to use any formulas because the readings
off the beaker can be taken as cm^3 instead of ml.

Therefore, the volume calculation methods between solids and liquids show that when determining the
volume of the liquid it is simpler and more straightforward than the methods used to determine the
volume of a solid.

The density calculation:

There is no difference between the density calculation of solids and liquids.

EVALUATION OF SOLID AND LIQUID DENSITY METHODS

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In Evaluation, it is my opinion that after my analysis and contrasting of the solid and liquid Mass
calculation methods that…

● The mass calculation of solids is beneficial as it is simple and straightforward. This is because it
uses simple steps to get the value for mass as it only requires the use of a scale and the
interpretation of the reading to get the value for mass.
● The mass calculation of liquids is also beneficial because it is as simplified as is possible meaning
that the method used to get its mass has a minimal amount of steps. This results in the method
being more time efficient because there are less steps involved.

It is my conclusion when regarding the mass calculations of solids and liquids that they are as simple,
easy to follow and time efficient as is possible against alternate methods of determining masses. For
example: i.e. calculating the mass of a moving car.

The method used for this would be more complicated as the force acting on the car and the acceleration
are needed to calculate the mass.

Then the formula needs to be rearranged so that it reads: m = F / a

In Evaluation, it’s my opinion that after my analysis and contrasting of the solid and liquid Volume
calculation methods that…

● The volume calculation of solids is advantageous in fact that it is simple and easy to understand
meaning that a majority of people will be able to follow the method without any issues.
● The volume calculation of liquids is easy to follow, as the method only requires that the person
interprets a measuring cylinder.

It is my conclusion that when regarding the volume calculation of solids and liquids is that they are both
as simplified as is possible and make for two methods for which anyone should be able to follow, I came
to this conclusion when analysing both volume calculation methods when breaking the methods apart step
by step.

In evaluation, it is my opinion that after my analysis and the contrasting of the solid and liquid Density
calculations that…

● The method used to calculate the density of both solid and liquids is as simple as is possible
because all the method requires of the person is to substitute their values for Mass and Volume
into the following equation: Density = Mass / Volume.
● This means that the method used for calculating this density is very time efficient and doesn’t
require any additional apparatus or valuable resources, which in my opinion results in the method
being very efficient in terms of cost, time, and the quality of its results.

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Bibliography of Websites Used:

Method used for calculating the density of a liquid:

https://classroom.google.com/c/MTI2NDEyNjg0MzRa