Difference between revisions of "GCSE Physics Required Practical: Calculating Densities"
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#Measure the [[mass]] of the [[object]] using an [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]] or [[Measuring Scale|measuring scale]]. | #Measure the [[mass]] of the [[object]] using an [[Electronic Balance|electronic balance]] or [[Measuring Scale|measuring scale]]. | ||
| − | #Fill a [[Measuring Cylinder|measuring cylinder]] with enough [[water]] to | + | #Fill a [[Measuring Cylinder|measuring cylinder]] with enough [[water]] to submerse the [[object]]. |
#Take a [[reading]] of the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] in the [[Measuring Cylinder]]. | #Take a [[reading]] of the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] in the [[Measuring Cylinder]]. | ||
| − | #Place the [[object]] in the [[Measuring Cylinder]] and ensure it is | + | #Place the [[object]] in the [[Measuring Cylinder]] and ensure it is submersed. |
#Take a [[reading]] of the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] + [[object]] in the [[Measuring Cylinder]]. | #Take a [[reading]] of the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] + [[object]] in the [[Measuring Cylinder]]. | ||
#Subtract the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] from the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] + [[object]] to find the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of the [[object]]. | #Subtract the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] from the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[water]] + [[object]] to find the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of the [[object]]. | ||
Revision as of 20:47, 7 April 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Finding the density of solid objects.
Experiment 1: Regular Cuboid
Method
 |
A diagram of the apparatus used in an experiment to find the density of a regular 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.