1. What weighs more, a pound of bricks
DENSITY
Here's an old joke:
What weighs more, a pound of bricks
or a pound of feathers?
The answer is they both weigh the same. Which 
takes up more space though?
Obviously, the pound of feathers takes up way 
more space (has a greater volume). This leads to a 
very useful property of matter called DENSITY.

2. The bottom line is that density is not constant.
DENSITY FACTS
Most kinds of matter expand when 
their temperatures rise and contract 
when their temperatures drop.
Thus, density changes with temperature. Very cold water is 
denser than hot water because the 
water molecules are closer together.
So as temperature increases, density decreases.
The bottom line is that density is not constant.
At 4°C pure water has a density of about 1 g/cu.cm, 1 g/ml.
What is the density of ice?

3. Demonstrations:
 Water and ice: What can you infer 
about the density of these items?

4. Gases are always less dense than liquids and solids.
That’s why air bubbles in a glass of water 
move upward and escape.
The solid states of matter generally 
have higher densities than do the 
liquids.
One very important exception to this rule 
is ordinary water. Water expands when 
it freezes.
The H2O molecules arrange 
themselves in a pattern that takes up 
more space than when the molecules 
are in the liquid state.
Therefore, ice floats in water.

5. Dead Sea Demonstrations:
 Water and oil: What can you infer 
about the density of these items?
 Soda vs. Diet Soda: What can you 
infer about the density of these items?
Demonstrations:
Dead Sea

6. Life jackets make us less dense than water, so we float.
 Substances that have a density less than 
water's will float in water. Substances with a 
greater density than water's will sink.
Life jackets make us less 
dense than water, so we float.
Submarines can change 
depth in the water when 
they remove or add water 
to special tanks called 
ballast tanks. When water 
is removed from the tanks, 
the submarine loses mass. 
It floats higher in the 
water. When water is 
added to the tanks, the 
submarine gains mass. It 
sinks lower in the water 
because its density is now 
greater.

7. What is the density of a rock that has a mass of 25
What is the density of a rock that has a mass of 25.2 g 
and a volume of 11.9 mL?
Use the 3-step method to solve this problem:
1) Write the formula.
 D = M/V
2) Plug in the numbers and units.
 D = 25.2g / 11.9 mL
3) Complete the calculation and
show the correct unit for density.
 D = 2.1 g/mL

8. D stands for density, M stands for mass, and V stands for volume.
Density is a measure of how closely the 
particles of a substance are packed into a 
given space.
Density is found by measuring mass and 
volume and then dividing the mass by the 
volume. The formula for density is:
D = M/V
D stands for density, M stands for mass, 
and V stands for volume.

9. What is the density of a rock that has a mass of 32
What is the density of a rock that has a mass of 
32.5 g and a volume of 12.8 mL?
Use the 3-step method to solve this problem:
1) Write the formula.
 D = M/V
2) Plug in the numbers and units.  
3) Complete the calculation and
show the correct unit for density.

10. What is the density of a rock that has a mass of 32
What is the density of a rock that has a mass of 
32.5 g and a volume of 12.8 mL?

11. You have a rock with a volume of 15cm3 and a mass of 45 g
You have a rock with a volume of 15cm3 and a mass of 45 g. What is its density?
Click for 
answer
You have a different rock with a volume of 30cm3 and a mass of 60g. What is its density?
Click for 
answer
What is the density of a board whose dimensions are 
5.54 cm x 10.6 cm x 199 cm and whose mass is 28.6 Kg?
Show your answer in grams/cubic centimeters.
Click for 
answer

13. You have a rock with a volume of 15cm3 and a mass of 45 g
You have a rock with a volume of 15cm3 and a mass of 45 g. What is its density?
Back to 
Problems

14. You have a different rock with a volume of 30cm3 and a mass of 60g
You have a different rock with a volume of 30cm3 and a mass of 60g. What is its density?
Back to 
Problems

15. What is the density of a board whose dimensions are 5. 54 cm x 10
What is the density of a board whose dimensions are 
5.54 cm x 10.6 cm x 199 cm and whose mass is 28.6 Kg?
D = M/V
5.54 cm x 10.6 cm x 199 cm = cm3
cm3
28.6 Kg
D= kg/cm3

16. D= kg/cm3 k 
 h 
 da 
 g  
 d 
 c   m  
D = 2.45 g /cm3
Back to 
Problems

17. Substance
Density (g/cm3)
Platinum
21.4
Seawater
1.025
Gold
19.3
Water
1.00
Mercury
13.6
Ice
0.92
Lead
11.3
Oil
0.90
Silver
10.5
Paraffin (wax)
0.87
Copper
8.9
Gasoline
0.7
Brass
8.5
Wood (oak)
Iron
7.9
Wood (pine)
0.4
Steel
7.8
Cork
0.24
Aluminum
2.7
Oxygen
0.0014
Marble
2.69
Air
0.0013
Rubber
1.1
Helium
0.0002

18. Work these problems in your notebook.....
1. A man is buying a copper bowl because he heard it is the best material to whip egg whites in. If the bowl has a mass of 142 g and a volume of mL, is it a real copper bowl?.
2. What volume would a gram sample of air occupy if the density of air is 1.29g/L?
3. Explain the beaker in the front of the room in terms of density.

19. 1. A man is buying a copper bowl because he heard it is the best material to whip egg whites in. If the bowl has a mass of 142 g and a volume of mL, is it a real copper bowl?
D= 142g / mL
D= 8.9 g/mL Is it copper? YES!
2. What volume would a gram sample of air occupy if the density of air is 1.29g/L?
D= M/V
1.29 g/L = g/ V make it simple
12=36/3
1.29 g/L = 0.451g/ .349 L

20. 3. Explain the beaker in the front of the room in terms of density.
The yellow liquid at the top of the beaker is less dense than the other substances.
The bluish substance is more dense than the top substance, but less dense than the bottom substance.
The red bottom substance is the most dense.

23. Together, we can feed the world.
Essays must be between 700 to 1,000 words in length, include a list of research sources, and fall under one of these four categories:
Together, we can feed the world.
Together, we can build a secure energy future.
Together, we can protect people and the environment.
Together, we can be innovative anywhere.
Dupont Science Essay Challenge

24. Write the following in each line, from most dense to least dense....
water, oil, ice
gasoline, mercury, iron
air, oxygen, helium
sea water, ice, water

25. water, ice, oil
mercury, iron , gasoline

oxygen, air, helium
seawater, water, ice

26. Acrylic-clear
Aluminum- shiny silver
Brass- gold colored
Copper- copper, reddish
Oak-darker wood
Pine-lighter wood
Polypropylene-cloudy
PVC-dark gray
Steel-lighter gray, metallic, heavy

27. D=M/V Acrylic Substance H Density (g/cm3) Sink or Float? Aluminum
Mass 
(g) L
(cm) W H
Volume
(cm3)
Density 
(g/cm3)
Sink or 
Float?
Acrylic
Aluminum
Brass
Copper
Oak
Pine
Polypropylene
PVC
Steel
D=M/V
WRITE EQUATIONS IN MARGIN

28. Acrylic Substance W (cm) H (cm) Volume (cm3) Density (g/cm3)
Mass (g)
L (cm)
W (cm)
H (cm)
Volume
(cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
Sink or 
Float?
Acrylic
18 g
2.5cm
15.6 cm3
g/cm3 S
Aluminum
43 g
2.7 g/cm3
Brass
134 g
g/cm3
Copper
144.3 g
8.94 g/cm3
Oak
11.0 g
g/cm3 F
Pine
7.5 g
g/cm3
Polypropylene
15 g
g/cm3
PVC
22.2 g
g/cm3
Steel
126.2 g
7.9 g/cm3

29. Density Lab
INTRO: Understanding the concept of density is very important in the world of science as well is in our 
everyday lives. Scientists use density calculations to help 
analyze how “tightly packed” a material’s particles are. 
They also use this calculation to be able to identify 
various materials due to the fact that each substance has 
a unique density. In our lives, we use the concept of 
density to understand the relationship between different 
types of materials. We use terms such as hardness or 
heaviness to describe the density of various items in our 
daily language.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this lab is for you to practice gathering mass and volume measurements as well as to use 
your collected data to make density calculations.

30. PROCEDURE: Eight items are listed in the table on the data sheet for this lab. Record the mass, volume, method for finding volume, 
and density in the table.
MASS - To measure mass, use a triple-beam balance. Be sure 
to round your measurement values to the nearest tenth of a 
gram (one decimal place) and to include a label after the number.
VOLUME - To measure volume, choose one of the various 
options available (listed below) and be sure to include a label with 
your final answer (either mL or cm3).
reading a graduated cylinder
multiplying length x width x height
water displacement (using a graduated cylinder and/or a spill can)
DENSITY - Calculate density using the three-step method 
discussed in class. Round your answer to the tenth. Be sure to 
label your answer appropriately.
Compare your answer to the correct answer posted at the 
front of the room. If your answer is not close to this, you will 
need to re-do your measurements and calculate the density again 
to get closer to the correct answer.

31. Substance
Mass(g)
Volume
(cm3 or mL)
How you 
found 
volume
Density (g/ml or 
g/cm3(three-step 
method)
Glycerine
Methyl 
Alcohol
Wood
Rubber 
Stopper
Wax
Rock 
(Granite)
Mineral Oil
Water

33. APPLYING WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED
Would gasoline float OR sink if mixed with water? _______________
Would an ice cube float OR sink if dropped in oil? _______________
Does helium gas float OR sink in air? _______________
Mercury is a liquid at room temperature. Would an iron bolt float OR sink in mercury? _______________
Write the formula for density: ________________________________________
What equipment is used to measure an item’s volume? ______________________
What label(s) do we commonly use to represent volume? ____________________
What equipment is used to measure a substance’s mass? _____________________
What label do we commonly use to represent mass? _______________
Is it easier to measure the volume of a liquid or a solid? Explain your answer. 
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Do you feel that this lab has helped you develop a better understanding of the concept of density? Explain.

34. Density Worksheet
Density is the ratio of the mass of the substance to the volume of the substance at a given temperature. Density has units of g/ cm3 or g/cc or g/mL for liquids and solids, and g/L for gases. SHOW YOUR WORK!
1. A gold-colored ring has a mass of 18.9 grams and a volume of 1.12 mL. Is the ring pure gold? (The density of gold is 19.3 g/mL.)
2. What volume would a gram sample of air occupy if the density of air is 1.29 g/L?
1.29g/L = 0.871g / V (4= 12/3)
.871g/1.29g/L= .675 L
D=18.9g / 1.12 mL
D= g/mL

35. D= . 95 Yes, pumice will float in water!
3. Pumice is volcanic rock that contains many trapped air bubbles. A 225 gram sample occupied mL. What is the density of pumice? Will pumice float on water?
D = 225g/236.6mL
D= Yes, pumice will float in water!
4. A cup of sugar has a volume of 237 mL. What is the mass of the cup of sugar if the density is 1.59 g/mL?
1.59g/mL = m / 237 mL 9 = 27/3
1.59 x 237 =
m = g

37. 5. From their density values, decide whether each of the following substances will sink or float when placed in sea water, which has a density of g/mL.
Float Gasoline 0.66 g/m Sink Mercury 10.6 g/mL Float Cork 0.26 g/mL
6. A sample of lead is found to have a mass of 32.6 g. A graduated cylinder contains 2.8 mL of water. After the lead sample is added to the cylinder the water level reads 5.7 mL. Calculate the density of the lead sample.
5.7 mL
-2.8 mL
2.9 mL
D= 32.6 g / 2.9 mL
D=11.24 g/mL

38. Mass to Volume must be greater than 1 g/mL 450cm3 = 450 mL
7. A little aluminum boat (mass of g) has a volume of cm3. The boat is place in a small pool of water and carefully filled with pennies. If each penny has a mass of 2.50 g, how many pennies can be added to the boat before it sinks?
Mass to Volume must be greater than 1 g/mL
450cm3 = 450 mL
needs to be greater than 450 g to sink
450 g g of boat = g
435.5 g/ 2.5 g (penny)
174.2 pennies to equal density
175 pennies to sink da boat!

39. 8. Density varies with change in temperature. Why?
If the temperature changes, then the particles move further apart, cause thermal expansion to occur, which would make a higher volume, which would cause a change in density.

40. 9. The King of Artemesia was given a gift of a crown of gold, but he suspected that he was being fooled. He asked his court scientist (that’s you) to prove if the crown was really gold or not. You found the mass of the crown was g. The volume of the crown was 53.2 ml. Is the crown made of gold? Include as much detail as you possibly can to prove your point. Use your Density Reading for help. If the crown is not made of gold, what material is it made of? How do you know?
D= g / 53.2 mL D = 8.50 g/mL
The crown can not be gold, as the density of gold is 19.3 g/mL. With a density of 8.5 g/mL, the crown must be made out of brass. Brass looks like gold, but is not gold at all! Brass is made up of an alloy of zinc and copper.