Grade 8 - PHYSICS – Density
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 1
SI units
1m
(Le Systeme International d’Unites)
Volume → cubic metre (m3)
1m
1 cubic metre (1m3)
= 1000 litres (l)
1 cubic metre = 1m x 1m x 1m
1m
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 2
1 litre bottle = 1L
Same as 1 cubic
decimetre (dm3)
1 litre = 1000 cubic centimetres (cm3)
= 1000 millilitres (ml)
1 cm
1 cm
Aluminium Lead
1 cm
For any given volume (eg. 1cm3) lead is
heavier than aluminium. It has a higher 1 cubic centimetre (cm3) = 1 millilitre (ml)
DENSITY
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 3
THINK!
A solid object with a density lower
than that of water will float.
So why should a battleship made of
aluminium not sink?
DENSITY = Mass
Volume
Substance Density (g/cm3)
Wood 0.75
Water has a Ice 0.92
density of
Water 1.00
1 g/cm3
Aluminium 2.70
Copper 8.90
1000 cm3 of water (1 litre) therefore
Lead 11.4
has a mass of 1000g (1 kilogram) IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 4
Calculating density
In the density equation,
density is shown by the
Greek letter ‘rho’ =
DENSITY = Mass = m
Volume V
m
V = m m = V x
V
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 5
Calculating density
Eg. What is the density of a block of
steel if it has a mass of 9,360g and a
volume of 1,200cm3?
m
V
= 9 360 = 7.8 g/cm3
1 200
Eg. What is the mass of a block of gold if Eg. What is the volume of a block of ice
it has a density of 19.3 g/cm3 and a if it has a density of 0.92 g/cm3 and a
volume of 540 cm3? mass of 12,462g?
m = 540 x 19.3 = 10,422g V = 12 462 = 13,546cm3
0.92
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 6
Volume and Density
Volume of a liquid
Measuring cylinder
Read off the level on the scale to
get the volume of liquid
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 7
Volume and Density
Volume of a
regular solid
Length Radius
Height
Height
Width
Volume of rectangular block = length x width x height Volume of a cylinder= π x radius2 x height
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 8
Volume and Density
Volume of an
irregular solid
Read off the level on the scale
before adding the irregular solid,
and again after the solid has been
put into the measuring cylinder.
Volume of irregular solid =
Volume after – volume before
Eg. 235 – 155 = 80cm3
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 9
Volume and Density
Volume of an
irregular solid Fill the Eureka can until it stops
over-flowing.
Using a Eureka
(displacement) can Gently lower the irregular solid
into the can and measure how
much displaced liquid is collected
in the measuring cylinder.
Mass of irregular solid = 350g
Volume of irregular solid = 80cm3
Density = mass / volume
Density = 350 / 80 = 4.375g/cm3
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 10
Density is defined as the amount of mass present in a given volume. For solids and liquids, this
is a fairly straightforward measurement.
Determining the Density of Gas Experimentally
1 .Fill a balloon. A
balloon s designed to be inflated by gas, which makes it the perfect vessel for you
to store a fixed amount of gas. You can fill the balloon with air using a pump, or you can choose
another type of gas such as helium or nitrogen. Once the balloon is filled, tie off the end so that no
gas escapes.
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 11
2. Submerge the balloon completely in a clear container. Next, submerge the balloon in a container
of water. The balloon will cause the water level to rise. Mark the new height of the water and remove
the balloon.
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 12
3. Measure the amount of displaced water. Use a measuring instrument (e.g., a cup or beaker) to measure
the amount of water needed to fill the container to the mark (without the balloon in the water). Pour
slowly. If you pour too much, you will have to start over. The volume of the balloon is equal to the volume
of the water you add. Record this value for later use as V.
You can save time by submerging the balloon into a large beaker or other pre-measured container.
Then you can skip adding any water and simply subtract the volume of the water from the volume of the
water and balloon.
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 13
4. Weigh the gas filled balloon. You can weigh the balloon using a sensitive scale. Electric scales
are usually the best for this application. Record the weight of the gas filled balloon for later use
as MGB.
If you are filling the balloon with a gas that is lighter than air, you will need to weigh the take
before and after you fill the balloon to determine the amount of gas used.
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 14
5. Find the mass of the empty balloon. Poke a hole in the balloon. This will allow the gas to escape.
Weigh the balloon again and record the weight of the empty balloon as MB.
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 15
6. Do the calculations. Now that you have enough data, you can calculate the density of the
gas inside the balloon. Subtract the weight of the empty balloon, MB, from the weight of the
full balloon, MGB. This will give you the mass of the gas alone, mG. Divide the mass of the gas,
mG, by the volume V, of the gas to find the density of the gas, DG.
MGB - MB = mG
For example, if the full balloon had a mass of 1 kg and the empty balloon had a
mass of 0.5 kg, the mass of the gas (mG) would be found by: 1 kg - 0.5 kg = 0.5 kg.
mG / V = D G
▪ For example, if the balloon displaced
1 L of water, the density could be
found by dividing the mass by that
volume: 500 g / 1 L = 500g/L
which is equivalent to 500kg/m3
NOTE: 1L = 1/1000m3
IGCSE/PHYSICS/GRADE 8 16