NOTES

JUNE 2021
Chapter 13: DENSITY

GRADE: 8 SUBJECT: PHYSICS

 Density is a physical quantity which decides the heaviness of any

material.
 Usually, heaviness of any material or object is decided based on the
mass whereas, density (w.r.t heaviness) is decided based on the mass of
the material with equal volumes.

Definition:

The density of a substance is the measure of a matter which occupies certain

volume.

Mass

Density = ---------------

Volume

Units:

kg/m3 or g/cm3

S.I unit is kg/m3

 Usually, small amount of masses are taken to find the density of a

material.
 The density value of a material even in different sizes always remains the
same if it is made with a same material whereas, varies for a material in
different sizes if object is a combination of different materials.
 There are different ways to find the density of different states of matter.
 The procedures require different instruments like weighing scale or top
pan balance, ruler, measuring cylinder, glass flask etc to measure the
density value.

PHYSICS /NOTES/JUNE 2021 1

Measuring the density of Solids:

There are two different types of solids to measure the density of solids. They
are

Regular Solids:

 To find the mass of regular solids, we have to place the solid on a

calibrated top pan balance and note down the value.
 Using a ruler, we have to find the dimensions of a given object and
calculate its volume using a formula based on its shape.
 Now, substitute the values of mass and volume in the formula of density
and calculate its value.
 The value of mass and volume should be in the same of system of units.

Irregular Solids:

 To find the mass of regular solids, we have to place the solid on a

calibrated top pan balance and note down the value.
 Because the shape is irregular, it will not have proper dimensions to find
the volume. So, we use a measuring cylinder to find its volume.
 Take a measuring cylinder filled with water upto its half.
 Note down the volume of water with the level of lower meniscus and
note down its value.
 Now, carefully dip the irregular object into the measuring cylinder with
the help of a string.
 Once the object is lowered, the level of the water in the measuring
cylinder increases. Note down the volume of water again.

PHYSICS /NOTES/JUNE 2021 2

  By subtracting the above two values, we get the volume of irregular
shaped object.
 Now, we have to substitute the values of mass and volume in the
formula of density and calculate the value.

Density of liquids:

 Take a measuring cylinder and find its mass using a balance and note
down the value.
 Pour the liquid into the measuring cylinder and repeat the above
procedure and note down the value.
 By subtracting the above two values, we will get the mass of the liquid.
 Now note down the volume of the liquid in the measuring cylinder.
 Now by substituting the values of mass and volume in the density
formula we can calculate its value.

Floating and Sinking:

 When two substances like solid and a liquid or a liquid and a liquid are
put together, floating and sinking occurs due to the difference in the
densities of both the substances.
 The substance with less density value always floats whereas, other one
sinks.
 If we have poured more than two liquids into a container, then they get
assembled in the order of increase in density values as shown below.

PHYSICS /NOTES/JUNE 2021 3

Density of gases:

 We use a flask with a lid and a vacuum to find the density of a gas.
 Make it vacuum using the pump.
 Now, measure the mass of the evacuated flask and note the value.
 Then fill the flask with air or any gas and find its mass again with a closed
stopper.
 By subtracting above two values we get the mass of the gas.
 To get the volume of the gas, dip the flask into water and open the
stopper. So, water try to replace the gas or air particles.
 Now, pour this water into a measuring cylinder which gives us the
volume of the gas.
 By substituting the mass and volume in the formula we can calculate the
density value.
 Density of a gas changes as its temperature and pressure changes.
 Densities of gases can be compared by measuring their value at same
temperature and pressure (which is also called STP).

PHYSICS /NOTES/JUNE 2021 4