Density And Volume
Linda Cooper Nathan Davis School
3014 W. 39th Place
Chicago IL 60632
312-535-4540 MR # 37
Objectives:
Grade 6
The students will be able to:
1. Find the mass of a given object by using a balance.
2. Find the volume of a given object using displacement of water or the
formula LxWxH.
3. Find the density of a given object by using the formula for density D=M/V.
4. Find the mass and volume of objects of similar size and shape.
5. Find the density of objects of similar size and shape.
6. Compare these objects, relative to their densities.
7. Find the density of Al,(Aluminum),Brass,and Cu Copper).
8. Compare your densities for Al, Brass, and Cu with the true density values.
9. Discover that density is a unique physical property of matter.
10. Identify an unknown liquid substance after finding the density of several
known substances.
Materials Needed:
1. Wood #1
2. Lava Rock
3. Wood #2
4. Styrofoam
5. Small acrylic objects,rectangle or square shaped
6. Large acrylic objects, rectangle or square shaped
7. Al, Brass and Cu pieces of similar sizes
8. Four liquids, water, alcohol, vinegar and corn syrup
9. Twenty pennies, ten pre-dating 1981 and ten after 1981
10. Clear plastic cups (1 per group)
Strategy:
1. At each station, group all of the materials needed in a large clear plastic
cup. Label group number on the outside of the cup.
2. Label each object in the plastic cup, A, B, C, D, etc. for a total of ten
items.
3. Following the directions in sequence on the data sheets, have each group find
the mass and volume to determine the density of each given item.
4. Record your findings on the data sheet.
Student Performance Assessment:
1. Write a two paragraph essay stating your conclusion about the densities of
objects that are made up of similar substances and different substances.
2. Which group of pennies, according to the world famous coin dealer, Ms. Cooper
is counterfeit?
3. You were required to determine the density of all the liquids on your data
sheet. You are lost in the dessert. Each of you must choose the correct
liquid to drink. You are now given the four substances that were evaluated
by your group earlier. The liquids are all marked unknown now. You may not
smell any of the liquids. Using your previous data sheet, determine which
liquid is water. Your survival will depend on it. Good luck to each of you.
Scoring Rubric:
Demonstrated Competence:
For 5 points: The response is exemplary. Your explanation is complete.
Formula for density is correct. You explained more than one way
to determine the volume of an object. Densities of unknown solids
and liquids have been determined.
For 4 points: The response is correct and the explanation is clear.
For 3 points: The response is generally correct but the explanation lacks
clarity.
For 2 points: The response indicates a partial solution. The explanation is
incoherent.
For 1 point: The response is incorrect.
For 0 Point: The student leaves a blank page or writes "I don't know".
Data Chart:
PART I
MASS OF WOOD #1 =__________________g
VOLUME OF WOOD LxWxH =__________________cm3
DENSITY OF WOOD =__________________g/cm3
PART II
MASS OF LAVA ROCK =___________________g
INITIAL VOLUME WITH WATER =___________________cm3
FINAL VOLUME =___________________cm3
VOLUME OF LAVA ROCK =___________________cm3
DENSITY OF LAVA ROCK =___________________g/cm3
PART III
MASS OF WOOD #2 _______g MASS OF STYROFOAM________g
VOLUME OF WOOD ________cm3 VOLUME OF STYROFOAM______cm3
DENSITY OF WOOD________g/cm3 DENSITY OF STYROFOAM_____cm3
PART IV
SMALL ACRYLIC OBJECTS
MASS =______________________g
VOLUME (LxWxH) =______________________cm3
DENSITY =______________________g/cm3
LARGE ACRYLIC OBJECTS
MASS =______________________g
VOLUME =______________________cm3
DENSITY =______________________g/cm3
PART V
FIND THE DENSITY OF:
1) AL=(ALUMINUM)
2) BRASS
3) CU=(COPPER)
PART VI
MASS OF LIQUIDS VOLUME OF LIQUIDS
WATER ________g ALCOHOL__________g WATER _______mL ALCOHOL______mL
VINEGAR_______g SYRUP____________g VINEGAR______mL SYRUP________mL
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