Measure Density
Density is the measure of the mass per volume of a substance. It can be determined by measuring the volume and the density of a substance. Because the shapes of objects can make it difficult to measure volume directly, volume is often measured indirectly through subtraction.
Instructions
1. Determine the mass (in grams) of the object whose volume you want to calculate and the graduated cylinder with the balance. Write both figures down as each will be needed later.
2. Place the graduated cylinder under the pour spout of the beaker. Slowly fill the beaker with water until water starts overflowing and filling the graduated cylinder.
3. Empty the graduated cylinder and replace it under the pour spout.
4. Place the object slowly into the beaker full of water. The water should overflow and pour into the graduated cylinder.
5. Record the volume of water that overflowed and then take the mass of the graduated cylinder with the water in it. If distilled water was used, the mass (in grams) and volume (in milliliters) of the water should be equal to that of the object. The mass of the water is obtained by subtracting the mass of the graduated cylinder from the mass of the graduated cylinder and the water.
6. Divide the mass of the object in grams by the volume in milliliters to determine the density of the object.
Tags: graduated cylinder, mass graduated, mass graduated cylinder, cylinder with, graduated cylinder with, grams volume, grams volume milliliters
