Open main menu

GCSE Physics Required Practical: Calculating Densities

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Finding the density of solid objects.

Experiment 1: Cuboid

Method

RequiredPracticalDensity1.png
A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the density of a cuboid.
  1. Measure the mass of the cuboid using an electronic balance or measuring scale.
  2. Measure the length, width and height of the cuboid using a ruler.
  3. Multiply the length, width and height to calculate the volume.
  4. Use the equation \(\rho = \frac{m}{V}\) to calculate the density of the cuboid.

Improving Accuracy

Place the electronic balance on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the mass.

Experiment 1: Irregular Solid

Method

RequiredPracticalDensity2.png
A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the density of an irregular solid.
  1. Measure the mass of the object using an electronic balance or measuring scale.
  2. Fill a measuring cylinder with enough water to submerse the object.
  3. Take a reading of the volume of water in the Measuring Cylinder.
  4. Place the object in the Measuring Cylinder and ensure it is submersed.
  5. Take a reading of the volume of water + object in the Measuring Cylinder.
  6. Subtract the volume of water from the volume of water + object to find the volume of the object.
  7. Use the equation \(\rho = \frac{m}{V}\) to calculate the density of the irregular object.

Improving Accuracy

Ensure the mass is measured at the start of the experiment so that the mass is measured while the object is dry.
Place the electronic balance on a flat, level surface to get an accurate reading of the mass.
Place the measuring cylinder on a flat, level surface and read it from eye level to get an accurate reading of the volume of water.
Ensure no water is spilled to get an accurate measurement for the volume of the object.
Ensure the object is fully submerged to get the correct value for the volume of the object.

Improving Precision

Ensure no water is spilled from the measuring cylinder so that all repeat readings are the same.
Measure the 'dry' mass of the object to ensure repeat readings are not affected by water permeating the object.