Water on Earth

The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

Density of Water
Activity

The density of pure, liquid, fresh water is 1.0 g/mL. The addition of
various minerals and impurities forms a mixture with a different
density. Physical properties such as temperature can also affect the
density of a liquid.

When calculating the density of a liquid use the following formula:

Density = __Mass (g)__

Volume (mL)

Measurements such as mass, volume, length, and temperature are

an important part of collecting data. Advances in technology have
increased our ability to make accurate measurements.

Procedure

1.Gather your materials. Record your data in the chart below.

Pan Balance Mass of Mass of Mass of Volume of Density (d=m/

Beaker (g) Beaker and Substance (g) Substance v) (g/mL)
Substance (g) (mL)
Cold Saltwater

Warm Water

Digital Mass of Mass of Mass of Volume of Density

Balance Beaker (g) Beaker and Substance (g Substance (d=m/v) (g/
Substance(g) (mL) mL)
Cold Saltwater

Warm Water

Saltwater
2.Find the mass of the beaker using a pan balance and record the value in the pan balance data
table.
3.Find the mass of the beaker using a digital balance and record the value in the digital balance
data table.
4.Measure 30 grams of salt using first the pan balance, then the digital balance.
5.Place the salt in the beaker.

1
 Water on Earth
The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes

Density of Water
Activity, continued

6. Measure 100 mL of very warm tap water in the graduated cylinder.

7. Place the water in the beaker.
8. Stir the mixture until the salt dissolves.
9. Add 100 mL of ice to the beaker and stir until the beaker feels cold.
10. Remove the ice.
11. Determine the mass of the beaker and the saltwater first using the pan balance, then the digital
balance.
12. Record these measurements in your data tables.
13. Determine the mass of the saltwater based on the measurements using the pan balance. To
find the mass of the saltwater, subtract the mass of the beaker from the mass of the beaker and
the saltwater. Repeat using the measurements from the digital balance.
14. Record these numbers in your data tables.
15. Determine the volume of the saltwater. To find the volume, carefully pour your substance from
the beaker into the graduated cylinder.
16. Record the volume in your data tables.
17. Find the density of the saltwater based on the data collected using a pan balance. To find the
density, divide the mass of the substance by the volume. Since the mass is measured in grams
(g), and the volume is measured in milliliters (mL), the unit of measure for density is g/ml.
Repeat using the data collected using a digital balance.

Warm Water

18. Find the mass of the second beaker first using the pan balance, then the digital balance.
19. Measure 100 mL of very warm tap water in the graduated cylinder. Place the water in the
beaker.
20. Record the volume of the warm water in your data tables.
21. Determine the mass of the beaker and the warm water using both the pan balance and the
digital balance.
22. Record these measurements in your data tables.
23. Determine the mass of the warm water based on measurements using the pan balance. To find
the mass of the warm water, subtract the mass of the beaker from the mass of the beaker and
the warm water. Repeat using the measurements from the digital balance.
24. Record the numbers in your data tables.
25. Find the density of the warm water based on the data collected using a pan balance. To find
the density, divide the mass of the substance by the volume. Since the mass is measured in
grams (g), and the volume is measured in milliliters (mL), the unit of measure for density is g/
ml. Repeat using the data collected using a digital balance.