Difference between revisions of "GCSE Physics Required Practical: Calculating Densities"
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Finding the [[density]] of [[solid]] [[object]]s. | Finding the [[density]] of [[solid]] [[object]]s. | ||
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|[[File:RequiredPracticalDensity1.png|center|400px]] | |[[File:RequiredPracticalDensity1.png|center|400px]] | ||
− | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of the [[apparatus]] used in an [[experiment]] to find the [[density]] of a | + | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of the [[apparatus]] used in an [[experiment]] to find the [[density]] of a cuboid. |
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Revision as of 12:39, 2 May 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Finding the density of solid objects.
Experiment 1: Cuboid
Method
A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the density of a cuboid. |
- Measure the mass of the cuboid using an electronic balance or measuring scale.
- Measure the length, width and height of the cuboid using a ruler.
- Multiply the length, width and height to calculate the volume.
- 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.
Improving Precision
- Use a ruler with a higher resolution.
- Use an electronic balance with a higher resolution.
- Use a larger cuboid to reduce the uncertainty caused by the resolution of the measuring instruments.
Experiment 1: Irregular Solid
Method
A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the density of an irregular solid. |
- Measure the mass of the object using an electronic balance or measuring scale.
- Fill a measuring cylinder with enough water to submerse the object.
- Take a reading of the volume of water in the Measuring Cylinder.
- Place the object in the Measuring Cylinder and ensure it is submersed.
- Take a reading of the volume of water + object in the Measuring Cylinder.
- Subtract the volume of water from the volume of water + object to find the volume of the object.
- 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.
Improving Precision
- Use an electronic balance with a higher resolution.