Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______

Mystery Cube Density Lab

Objective: To discover the identity of each cube based on its density.

Materials: Density cube set (9 cubes), graduated cylinder, ruler, balance.

Hypothesis: If the mass and volume of a cube is found, then the density of the cube will determine the material of the cube.

Procedures:

  1. Find the mass of each cube using a balance and record results in the data table.
  2. Find the volume of each cube (Length x Width x Height) and record results in the data table.
  3. Calculate the density by dividing the mass by the volume and record results in the data table.
  4. Identify the mystery cubes based on their densities from the chart below.

Known values for cube densities (g/cm3)

Acrylic = 1.1 – 1.2 Pine = 0.3 – 0.6

Aluminum = 2.7 Poplar = 0.35-0.50

Brass = 8.0 - 8.5 PVC = 1.4

Copper = 8.9 Steel = 7.6 - 7.9

Oak = 0.6 – 0.9 Nylon = 1.13

Results:

Cube # / Mass (g) / Volume (cm3) / Density (g/cm3) / Identity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Find the Density of Water

  1. Find the mass of a graduated cylinder.
  2. Add a measurable amount of water to the graduated cylinder.
  3. Record the volume of water in the data table.
  4. Find the mass of the graduated cylinder and water.
  5. Use the original mass of the graduated cylinder and the mass of the graduated cylinder withwater to find the mass of the water.
  6. Calculate the density of water.

Results:

Mass of graduated cylinder
Mass of graduated cylinder and water
Volume of water
Density of water

Sink or float?

  1. Which material (cubes) do you think will sink in water?
  1. Which material (cubes) do you think will float in water?

Test your hypothesis:

  1. Fill your cup half way with water
  2. Drop one cube into the water to see if it sinks or floats.
  3. Repeat for all 10 cubes

Conclusion: (write in complete sentences!!)

  1. What determines whether a cube will float or sink in water?
  1. Describe how you determined the volume of the cubes.
  1. Describe how you found the density for each cube.

Name: Answer Key______Date: ______Period: ______

Mystery Cube Density Lab

Objective: To discover the identity of each cube based on its density.

Materials: Density cube set (9 cubes), graduated cylinder, ruler, balance.

Hypothesis: If the mass and volume of a cube is found, then the density of the cube will determine the material of the cube.

Procedures:

  1. Find the mass of each cube using a balance and record results in the data table.
  2. Find the volume of each cube (Length x Width x Height) and record results in the data table.
  3. Calculate the density by dividing the mass by the volume and record results in the data table.
  4. Identify the mystery cubes based on their densities from the chart below.

Known values for cube densities (g/cm3)

Acrylic = 1.1 – 1.2 Pine = 0.3 – 0.6

Aluminum = 2.7 Poplar = 0.35-0.50

Brass = 8.0 - 8.5 PVC = 1.4

Copper = 8.9 Steel = 7.6 - 7.9

Oak = 0.6 – 0.9 Nylon = 1.13

Results:

Cube # / Mass (g) / Volume (cm3) / Density (g/cm3) / Identity
1 / 140 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 8.96 g/cm3 / Copper
2 / 132.3 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 8.47 g/cm3 / Brass
3 / 122.9 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 7.87 g/cm3 / Steel
4 / 42.2 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 2.7 g/cm3 / Aluminum
5 / 18.47 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 1.18 g/cm3 / Acrylic
6 / 10.46 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 0.67 g/cm3 / Oak
7 / 17.8 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 1.14 g/cm3 / Nylon
8 / 7.81 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 0.5 g/cm3 / Pine
9 / 5.47 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 0.35 g/cm3 / Poplar
10 / 21 (g) / 15.625 cm3 / 1.34 g/cm3 / PVC

Find the Density of Water

  1. Find the mass of a graduated cylinder.
  2. Add a measurable amount of water to the graduated cylinder.
  3. Record the volume of water in the data table.
  4. Find the mass of the graduated cylinder and water.
  5. Use the original mass of the graduated cylinder and the mass of the graduated cylinder withwater to find the mass of the water.
  6. Calculate the density of water.

Results:

Mass of graduated cylinder / 21 g
Mass of graduated cylinder and water / 39 g
Volume of water / 18 mL
Density of water / 1 g/mL

Sink or float?

  1. Which material (cubes) do you think will sink in water?
  1. Which material (cubes) do you think will float in water?

Test your hypothesis:

  1. Fill your cup half way with water
  2. Drop one cube into the water to see if it sinks or floats.
  3. Repeat for all 10 cubes

Conclusion: (write in complete sentences!!)

  1. What determines whether a cube will float or sink in water?
  1. Describe how you determined the volume of the cubes.
  1. Describe how you found the density for each cube.