DENSITY BLOCKS – Lab Activity Name Density Kit

density blocks – lab activity name ____________________________ density kit # ________ activity 1 1. obtain one of the labeled density b

DENSITY BLOCKS – Lab Activity
Name ____________________________ Density Kit # ________
ACTIVITY 1
1. Obtain one of the labeled density blocks. Place the block on a
triple beam balance. Record. Then place it on an electric balance.
Record. (These numbers should be the SAME!)
2. Measure the length, width and height of the block. Then determine
the volume of the block using the following formula: Volume = length x
width x height Record.
3. Determine the density for the block, using the following formula:
Density = mass/volume Record.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each substance listed in Data Table 2
Data Table 2
Density Block
Mass (g) – triple beam balance
Mass (g) – electric balance
* this is what we will use to determine density since it is more
accurate
Volume (cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
5. Compare the volume of each block. What pattern did you notice?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Is this same pattern evident for the density you calculated?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. Refer to the Density Chart (on the front of your lab paper). Do the
densities you calculated for each substance match any of the numbers
listed in the chart? They should all match a density block. If not,
recheck your calculations!
List the blocks in order of density from least dense to most dense.

least dense substance
letter, name of substance, density







most dense substance
letter, name of substance, density

Density Chart
Substance
Density (g/cm3)
Acrylic
1.1-1.2
Aluminum
2.7
Brass
8.5
Copper
8.9
Oak
0.6-0.9
Pine
0.45
Polypropylene
0.9-0.92
PVC
1.4
Steel
7.9
Water
1.0
ACTIVITY 2
1. Using your knowledge of the density and the known densities of
various substances (provided above), predict in Data Table 1 which
blocks will sink and which blocks will float when placed in water.
2. Half fill a beaker with water. Place each block in the beaker to
test your predictions. Record your observations in the appropriate
space in Data Table 1. When you are done with each block dry it off
and return it to the case.
Data Table 1
Density Block
Prediction (sink or float?)
Observation (sink or float?)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
ACTIVITY 3
1. Obtain four blocks of the same substance (with the same letter on
them).Record the name of the substance (from above) in the appropriate
space in Data Table 3.
2. Measure the mass of one block to the nearest tenth of a gram using
an electronic scale or triple beam balance. Record the mass in the
appropriate space in table 3.
3. Calculate the volume of the block by multiplying the length (cm) by
the width (cm) by the height (cm). Record this volume in the
appropriate space in Data Table 3.
4. Measure the mass of two blocks to the nearest tenth of a gram.
Record this combined mass in the appropriate space in Data Table 3.
5. Place two blocks next to each other. Calculate the volume of this
new combined block by measuring and multiplying the length by the
width by the height. Record this combined volume in the appropriate
space in Data Table 3.
6. Repeat steps 5 and 6 using three blocks.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 using 4 blocks. (Note: You may place 4 blocks
four in a row, or two on top of each other. Either way the volume is
the same.)
Data Table 3
Name of Substance: _______________________________ Letter of block(s):
____________
Mass (g)
Volume (cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
One Cube
Two Cubes
Three Cubes
Four Cubes
8. Make a line graph! Plot your data for the cubes from Activity 3 on
the graph below.
Be sure to mark the numerical units for your grid lines on each axis.

Mass (g)
Volume (cm3)
9. Using information from your graph, determine the correct answer to
each of the following questions:
A. As volume increases, mass (increases, decreases, remains the same).
B. As volume decreases, mass (increases, decreases, remains the same).
C. What is the formula for calculating density?
D. Compare the slope of your line to the density of the substance you
measured. Are these two numbers similar or not? Why or why not?
E. As mass and volume increase, density (increases, decreases, remains
the same).
F. As mass and volume decrease, density (increases, decreases, remains
the same).