Unit 6: Properties of Matter

Chapter 17: Properties of Matter

Lab 17.1—Properties of Solids

In this investigation, you will learn to find the density of various materials.

You may be familiar with the trick question “Which is heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks?” The answer, of course, is that they have the same weight. But why do so many people blurt out “bricks” before they stop to think?

The answer lies in the amount of space occupied by a pound of each material. On the right side of balance at the left, sketch a rectangular shape to represent the size of a pound of bricks. Then, on the left side, draw a second rectangle to represent the space taken up by a pound of feathers.

As you can see, a pound of bricks takes up a lot less space than a pound of feathers. The brick-material is squeezed together tightly, while the pound of feathers contains a large amount of empty space.

Procedure/Data/Results:

  1. Each lab station has a unique set of six objects. Find the mass and volume of one object. Add a second object and find their combined mass and volume. Then find the combined mass and volume of three, four, and five objects. Record your data in the table below. Note—Although your objects look identical, there may be small differences. Do not obtain your data by multiplying the mass or volume of one object by the number of objects you have.

One object / Two objects / Three objects / Four objects / Five objects
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
  1. Return to your desk. We will work on the following questions together.
  2. Plot your data. You will make one graph by hand, and one using a graphing calculator (we’ll do the calculator graph together). Be sure to follow the same guidelines previously discussed on your graph done by hand. The x-axis will be volume, the y-axis will be mass. On your graph done by hand, use a ruler to draw in a line of best fit.
  3. Is there any pattern to the data points on your graph? For example, the points might form a smooth curve, straight line, a random scattering, or a cluster in a certain region. If you detect a pattern, describe it.
  1. Find the slope of each of your graphs and record below.

hand graph______calculator graph______

  1. Compare your slope with the result obtained by other groups. Are your slopes similar or different?
  2. The relationship between a substance’s mass and volume is called its density. What is the density of the material you tested?
  3. Your graphs include data for five objects. We will now use your hand-drawn graph to predict the mass and volume of six objects. I will demonstrate to the group how to use your hand-drawn graph to do this. Record the mass and volume for six objects obtained from your graph.

mass of six objects______volume of six objects______

  1. Go back to the lab and find the actual mass and volume of the six objects and record below.

mass of six objects______volume of six objects______

  1. Next, collect data from the class to fill in the table below.

Your data / Other group / Other group / Other group / Other group / Other group
Size of one object (mL)
Type of material
Density (g/mL)
  1. Does density depend on the size of the material?
  2. Does density depend on the type of material?
  3. Do you suppose density depends on the shape of the material? Why or why not?
  1. Return to your lab station. You will find a container of about 100 pennies. Sort the pennies into two piles: pennies made before 1982 and pennies made after 1982. If you find any pennies 1982, set them aside.
  2. Find the mass of your collection of pre-1982 pennies. Then also find the volume. Then, find the mass and volume of your collection of post-1982 pennies. Record your results in the table below.

Pre-1982 pennies / Post-1982 pennies
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Density (g/mL)
  1. Calculate the density of each type of penny. Record your results in the third row of the table above.
  2. Are the pre-1982 and post-1982 pennies made from the same material? How do you know?