How Dense Is That?

Name: ______Date: ______Period: ____

How Dense is That?

SCSh4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific equipment and materials.

SCSh4. a. Develop and use systematic procedures for recording and organizing information.

SCSh4. b. Use technology to produce tables and graphs.

SCSh5. e. Solve scientific problems by substituting quantitative values, using dimensional analysis, and/or simple algebraic formulas as appropriate.

Problem: Which item is the most dense?

Information: density – mass per unit volume of a material (d = m / v)

Derived unit – a unit that is obtained by combining different SI units

Hypothesis: If we find the mass and volume of the all of the items, then the ______

will be the most dense.

Materials:

1.  a baggie with 6 items (ex: rock, coin, marble, etc.)

2.  a triple beam balance

3.  weighing dish

4.  a ruler

5.  a graduated cylinder

6.  a beaker of water

Procedure:

1.  find the mass of each object (balance) - for the round objects you must use a weighing dish:

2.  find the volume of each object

a.  blocks – use ruler to find L x W x H = V

b.  irregular (all others) – use graduated cylinder (displacement)

1)  Pour a set amount of water in the cylinder (note the amount)

2)  Drop an object into the cylinder and read the new water level in the cylinder.

3)  Subtract the amount of water in 1 from the amount in 2 and you will have the volume of the object.

3.  Calculate the density of each object (d=m/v)

Observations: Use the data tables on the worksheet provided to gather your data.

Analysis: Create a graph showing the results of the data gathered. (Bar graphs)

Conclusion: answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper and attach to the back of this one.

1.  Did you encounter any problems during the lab? If so, what were they?

2.  Which item was the most dense?

3.  Which item was the least dense?

4.  Did any items have the same (or close to the same) density? If so, which ones?

5.  If two objects have the same density, what conclusions could you draw from this information?

6.  How did the results compare to your hypothesis?

7.  Did any of the results surprise you? If so, in what way?

Grading Rubric

Points earned / Possible points / Task
2 / Completed hypothesis
15 / Completed Data Tables
10 / Completed Bar graph (All items included, axis labeled and numbered)
14 / Conclusion questions answered (incomplete sentences)
6 / Units on measurements
3 / Neat/Organized
50 / Total

Name ______Date ______Period _____

How Dense is That? LAB

Hypothesis: ______will be the most dense.

Observations:

Data table for wooden/metal blocks:

L x W x H = volume d = m / v

Item description / Length / Width / Height / Volume / Mass / Density
Small Wooden Cube
Large Wooden Cube
White Rectangle

Data table for irregular objects:

2 – 1 = volume d = m / v

Item description / Volume of
Water (1) / Volume of
Water + object (2) / Volume of
object / Mass / Density
2-3 Small Purple
2-3 Large Red or Blue
2-3 Large Yellow

Analysis: draw a bar graph of the items and their densities.

Conclusion: Don’t forget to answer the conclusion questions and attach to the lab. You do NOT need to write the question just the answer in complete sentences.