Calculating

Density
(5.6 Characteristic Physical Properties)
Calculating Density
Density is defined as:
the mass per unit volume.

ex. If two objects are the same size,

the denser object weighs more.

If two objects have the same mass,

the denser object is smaller.
 Calculating Density
• The equation for calculating density is given:

𝑚
𝐷=
𝑉
Where:
D = density, measured in g/cm3 or kg/m3
m = mass, measured in g or kg
V = volume, measured in cm3 or m3

Density is a characteristic physical property: No two pure substances will

have identical densities., so it can be used to identify an unknown pure
substance. Simply compare the density of your unknown to densities of
various known substances.

Other characteristic physical properties include, freezing/melting point,

boiling point, and emission/absorption spectra.
Calculating Density
We can Calculate Volume by measuring the
dimensions:
(make sure all measurements are in the same
units)
• the volume of rectangular prism is length x
width x height:
𝑉 =𝑙× 𝑤 ×h
• the volume of a cylinder is 3.14 x the height x
the radius squared: 2
𝑉 =h 𝜋 𝑟
• the volume of a sphere is 4 3
𝑉 𝑠𝑝h𝑒𝑟𝑒 = 𝜋 𝑟
3
• the volumes of more complex shapes can be
calculated using more complex equations.
Calculating Density
We can also measure Volume by displacement:
• when a solid object is fully submersed in water,
the apparent increase in the water volume is
equal to the volume of the object.

The object displaces

15ml 5 ml of water,
(15ml minus 10ml)

10ml Therefore it has a

volume of 5ml.
Calculating Density
The GRASS Method

To simplify the solving of word problems we

break the process down into simpler steps: the
GRASS method.

1. GIVEN: list the variables, values, and units

that are known from reading the question.

2. REQUIRED: list the variables, and units that

the question is asking you to find.
Calculating Density
3. ANALYSIS: write the equation you will use
to solve the problem. It must have the
required variable in it, and all other variables
in the equation must be in your “Given” list.
Write the equation correctly in the common
form first… then rearrange it if necessary in
a second line.

4. SOLUTION: Substitute into your equation

the values for each variable that you know.
Calculate, isolate, and solve the equation for
your unknown value.

5. STATEMENT: Write a simple sentence that

answers the question that was asked.
Calculating Density
Ex1. What is the density of three cubic metres
of concrete if it weighs 6903 kg.

Solution:
Given:
6903 𝑘𝑔
V= 3 m3 𝐷= 3
m= 6903 kg 3𝑚
3
𝐷=2301 kg / 𝑚
Required:
D= ? kg/m3
Statement:
The density of
Analysis: concrete is 2301kg/m3.
𝑚
𝐷=
𝑉
 Calculating Density
Ex2. A cannonball has a radius of 6cm. It is made
from lead with a density of 11.34 g/cm3. How much
does it weigh.
A: 𝑚
G: 𝐷=
𝑉
r= 6 cm
D= 11.34 g/cm3 𝑚=𝐷𝑉
R: S:
m= ? g 𝑚= 11.34
( 𝑐𝑚
𝑔
3
( )
904.8 𝑐𝑚 )
3

A:
4
𝑉 𝑠𝑝h𝑒𝑟𝑒 = 𝜋 𝑟
3
𝑚=10 260.432 𝑔
3
S: 4 3
𝑚 ≈ 10 000 𝑔
𝑉 𝑠𝑝h𝑒𝑟𝑒 = 𝜋 6
3 S:
3 The mass of the cannonball
𝑉 𝑠𝑝h𝑒𝑟𝑒 =904.8 𝑐𝑚
is 10 000g (=10kg).
 Anomolous Behaviour of Water
• When most substances freeze, their particles pack
together into the densest pattern they can.
• Often this pattern is more orderly than the liquid,
allowing solids to hold their shape.
• The anomalous behaviour of water: because of the
unique shape of the H2O molecule, the pattern of
particles in the frozen state is less dense than in the
liquid.

Note: We don’t need to learn about Hydrogen bonds till grade 11 Chemisry
 Anomolous Behaviour of Water
• We can interrupt this pattern with certain contaminants
like salt.
• The addition of NaCl means water can’t freeze into a
solid until much lower temps.