How to Measure the Density of Metals
Determine the mass of the object., Calculate the volume of the object through direct measurement., Calculate the volume of the object using displacement., Calculate the density.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine the mass of the object.
Mass is the amount of matter in an object and its unit is grams.
It is measured by weighing the object directly.
Place the object on an accurate scale and record the mass in your notebook.
Alternatively, you can measure mass by using a balance.
Place your object on one side and place weights of known mass on the other side until both sides are balanced.
The total mass of the balance weights is equal to the mass of your object.
Make sure object is dry so that absorbed water does not affect the accuracy of the weighing. -
Step 2: Calculate the volume of the object through direct measurement.
If the object is regularly shaped and uniform—such as a cylinder or rectangular prism—you can measure its dimensions with a ruler and calculate the volume with a simple equation.
Measure the length and radius if it is a cylinder or length, width, and depth if it is a rectangle.
Record your dimensions in millimeters or centimeters.
Calculate volume using the formula for the shape of your object.
For example, volume of a cylinder is length times pi times radius squared, while the volume of a rectangle is the product of length width and depth.
Units of volume are centimeters cubed. , Measuring dimensions of objects that are irregularly shaped can be difficult and lead to inaccurate measurements and calculations of density.
By measuring the amount of water displaced by an object, you can easily determine its volume without complex formulas.
Fill a graduated cylinder with enough water to completely submerge the object, but not overflow.
Record the water level of the beaker.
Gently place the object in the beaker ensuring that it is fully submerged.
Record the new water level of the beaker.
Subtract the new water level from the starting water level.
This is the volume of the object in cubic centimeters.
Liquids are generally measured in milliliters however one milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter. , Density is defined as mass divided by volume.
To finish your measurement of density, divide the mass you measured by the volume you calculated.
The result is the density of the metal measured in g/cm cubed.
Density=Mass/Volume{\displaystyle Density=Mass/Volume} -
Step 3: Calculate the volume of the object using displacement.
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Step 4: Calculate the density.
Detailed Guide
Mass is the amount of matter in an object and its unit is grams.
It is measured by weighing the object directly.
Place the object on an accurate scale and record the mass in your notebook.
Alternatively, you can measure mass by using a balance.
Place your object on one side and place weights of known mass on the other side until both sides are balanced.
The total mass of the balance weights is equal to the mass of your object.
Make sure object is dry so that absorbed water does not affect the accuracy of the weighing.
If the object is regularly shaped and uniform—such as a cylinder or rectangular prism—you can measure its dimensions with a ruler and calculate the volume with a simple equation.
Measure the length and radius if it is a cylinder or length, width, and depth if it is a rectangle.
Record your dimensions in millimeters or centimeters.
Calculate volume using the formula for the shape of your object.
For example, volume of a cylinder is length times pi times radius squared, while the volume of a rectangle is the product of length width and depth.
Units of volume are centimeters cubed. , Measuring dimensions of objects that are irregularly shaped can be difficult and lead to inaccurate measurements and calculations of density.
By measuring the amount of water displaced by an object, you can easily determine its volume without complex formulas.
Fill a graduated cylinder with enough water to completely submerge the object, but not overflow.
Record the water level of the beaker.
Gently place the object in the beaker ensuring that it is fully submerged.
Record the new water level of the beaker.
Subtract the new water level from the starting water level.
This is the volume of the object in cubic centimeters.
Liquids are generally measured in milliliters however one milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter. , Density is defined as mass divided by volume.
To finish your measurement of density, divide the mass you measured by the volume you calculated.
The result is the density of the metal measured in g/cm cubed.
Density=Mass/Volume{\displaystyle Density=Mass/Volume}
About the Author
Alice Shaw
Writer and educator with a focus on practical cooking knowledge.
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