Density (PhET) — Grade 8

Unit: Mix & Flow of Matter (Grade 8)

Learning Goals
By the end, you can:
 Describe how mass, volume, and density are related.
 Predict whether an object will float or sink based on its density compared to water.
Mass
 Use Density= to calculate density and explain changes when mass or volume
Volume
changes.

Key Words
mass (amount of matter), volume (space taken up), density (mass per volume), float, sink,
displacement, buoyancy, material (substance).

Pre-Lab Warm-Up
1. In your own words, what does density mean?
The amount of mass per measurement of volume.

2. Circle one and explain: If I increase mass while keeping volume the same, density will
increase / decrease / stay the same. Why?
Since there is now more mass per measurement of volume, the density will increase.

3. Circle one and explain: If I increase volume while keeping mass the same, density will
increase / decrease / stay the same. Why?
Decrease because now there is less mass per measurement of volume.
Part A — Explore Variables (5–8 min)
1. Open the simulation (Intro screen). Turn on any readouts for Mass, Volume, and
Density.

2. Try each action and write one observation:

 Change size/dimensions of the same material: What happens to mass, volume, and
density?
If u keep the mass the same, then the density decreases, but if the mass is also
increased with the volume, then so is the density.

 Put the object in water: Does it float, sink, or hover? What does that tell you about its
density vs. water?
Wood floats and has a density of 0.40 kg/L. Styrofoam floats and has a density of
0.15kg/L. Higher density objects sunk. The higher the density, the lower it sinks.
Part B — Compare Objects (Colour blocks or materials)
Make three trials. For each trial, choose two objects and record data (from the sim readouts):

Trial 1
 Object A: Material Wood Mass: 0.40 kg Volume: 5.50 mL Density: ____ kg/mL
 Object B: Material Styrofoam Mass: 0.15 kg Volume: 5.50 mL Density: ____ kg/mL
 Which floats in water? A / B / both / neither
 Why? (Compare their densities to water.)
Because their densities are lower than waters, so they rise to the top.

Trial 2
 Object A: Material PVC Mass: ____ g Volume: 5.50 mL Density: ____ kg/mL
 Object B: Material Brick Mass: ____ g Volume: 5.50 mL Density: ____ kg/mL
 Which floats in water? A / B / both / neither
 Why? (Compare their densities to water.)
Because their densities are lower than waters, so they sink to the bottom

Trial 3
 Object A: Material ______ Mass: ____ g Volume: 5.50 mL Density: ____ kg/mL
 Object B: Material ______ Mass: ____ g Volume: 5.50 mL Density: ____ kg/mL
 Which floats in water? A / B / both / neither
 Why? (Compare their densities to water.)
Because

Question B1. If two objects have the same volume but different masses, which has the higher
density? How do you know?
The one with the higher mass has more density, since density is mass per unit of
measurement.
Question B2. If two objects have the same mass but different volumes, which has the lower
density? How do you know?
The one with the higher volume has lower density because density is the measure of mass
per unit of measurement.
Part C — Mystery Blocks Challenge (Predict → Test → Explain)

You have five blocks (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E). Each block is made of a different material, but you
don’t know which. Use the sim to find their density and then match each block to a material in
the Density Table.

Procedure

1. Drag each block onto the scale to measure its mass (kg).
2. Place it into the water tank to measure its volume (L) (displacement shown).
3. Calculate density = mass ÷ volume.
4. Compare your calculated density to the values in the Density Table.
5. Identify which material each block is likely made of.

Data Table

TYPE YOUR ANSWERS

Block Mass (kg) Volume (L) Density (kg/L) Likely Material Float or Sink?
1A
1B
1C
1D
1E

Analysis Questions

1. Which block has the highest density? Did it sink?

TYPE YOUR ANSWER HERE

2. Which block has the lowest density? Did it float?

TYPE YOUR ANSWER HERE

3. Was there any block close to the density of water (1.0 kg/L)? How did it behave in the
water tank?

TYPE YOUR ANSWER HERE

4. Why is it important to compare your calculated density instead of just guessing based on
the block’s size?
 Because the density is more exact and accurate than the volume. What if all the
blocks are the same size. That’s why density is better.

5. How would you explain your identification process to a Grade 5 student?

First, by dividing the mass by the volume, I find the density. When I find the
density, I then match it to a material in the density table to see which material has
that density.

Conclusion Questions
1. In one sentence, explain density to a Grade 5 student.
Mass is the total amount of mass in an object, while density is like how much mass per
unit of measurement.

2. A cube has mass = 120 g and volume = 150 mL.

Probably be mostly submerged under the water and have a little above, so probably float.

3. Two students each have a rectangular block of the same material. Student A’s block is
double the size of Student B’s.
a) Compare their masses and volumes.
b) Compare their densities.
Student A has higher mass but same density, and higher volume. Student B has
same density but lower volume and mass.

4. You have an object that sinks. List two different ways to make a new object of the same
material float, and state which variable you’re changing (mass or volume).
Lower mass. You can also
5. A student says: “I cut my aluminum block in half, so the density is half now.” Is that
correct? Explain.
No because the mass per unit of measurement is still the same.