Activity 3.6 The densities of various objects with regular and irregular shapes.

Aim
Apparatus Measuring cylinder and beam balance
Materials Metal cube, stone, plasticine, water and string
Procedures 1. A metal cube is weighed with a beam balance. It mass is recorded.
2. A measuring cylinder is filled with water until it is half full. The initial reading of the
measuring cylinder is recorded.
3. The metal cube is tied with a string and it is lowered into the water. The final reading of the
measuring cylinder is recorded.
4. Step 1 to 3 is repeated using a plasticine sphere and a stone. The readings are recorded.
5. The density of each object is calculated and recorded.

Results
Object Metal cube Plasticine sphere Stone
Mass (g)
Initial water level (cm3)
Final water level (cm3)
Volume of object (cm3)
Density of object
(g/cm3)
Calculation: c) Density of stone = mass
a) Density of metal cube = mass volume
volume =
=
=
=

b) Density of plasticine sphere = mass

volume
=

Discussions 1. What physical quantities are measured in the above activity?

____________________________________________________
2. Name the method used to measure the volumes of the objects.
____________________________________________________
3. Which is denser: the metal cube, the plasticine or the stone?
_________________________________________________
4. The arrangement of the densities of these substances in ascending order are
__________________ → ___________________ → __________________

Conclusion The density of an object is determined by dividing its ___________ over its ___________.