The mass per cubic metre (m³) or cubic centimetre (cm³) of a material.

A can with a spout used to measure the volume of a submerged object.

A device used to measure length precisely.

A device to measure length to very high precision.

Measuring density

Physics

Calculating density and measuring volume

Pressure in a fluid

Upthrust

Explaining convection

Explaining pressure changes

In the Energy of moving particles unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the movement and nature of different particles transfers energy by conduction, and how specific heat capacity and specific latent heat quantify the effect of heating on the properties of a material.

In the Heating and cooling unit, pupils learnt how the motion of particles in solids, liquids and gases changes when they are heated, how thermal conduction and insulation work and why heating different materials doesn’t always increase their temperatures by the same amount. 

This unit defines density and explores how it varies between states of matter based on atomic arrangement. It covers mass conservation during physical changes, gas behaviour, fluid pressure, buoyancy, and atmospheric pressure, and calculations involving density, mass, and volume relationships.

Particle explanations of density and pressure

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Match each type of sample to the most suitable piece of equipment to measure its volume.

Fill a displacement can with water until it is just below the spout.

Place an empty measuring cylinder under the spout.

Place the object in the displacement can.

Wait for water to finish pouring from the spout.

Measure the volume of water in the measuring cylinder.

Sort the following steps in the correct order to describe how to measure an object’s volume using a displacement can.

A measuring cylinder has mass 80.2 g. When 32 ml, which is the same as 32 cm³, of a liquid is added to the cylinder, the total mass is 342.6 g. 
The density of the liquid is {{ }} g/cm³. 

Measuring the mass of the object when it is dry.

Measuring the mass of the object when it is wet.

Forgetting to subtract the volume of water from the volume of object + water.

Measuring water volume, then spilling some water while putting the object in.

A pupil measures an object’s volume by placing it in water in a measuring cylinder, and then measures its mass. 
Which of the following will make the calculated density higher than the real density?

The volume of a sphere can be calculated using the formula $$V=\frac{4}{3}πr^3$$, where $$r$$ is the radius. A solid sphere has radius 5.50 cm and mass 6760 g. What is the density of the sphere?

When an object is placed in a displacement can, it displaces 139 cm³ of water. The mass of the object is 0.85 kg. 
What is the density of the object in kilograms per cubic metre, to 2 sig. figs.?

Which of the following are units of density?

If the object has less mass than the water, it will float.

If the object has less volume than the water, it will float.

If the object is less dense than the water, it will float.

If the object has more mass than the water, it will float.

If the object is denser than the water, it will float.

A solid object is placed in some water in a container. Which of the following statements are correct?

Sort the following measuring instruments into order of increasing precision, starting with the one that is least precise.

The length, width and height of a cuboid are 2.0 cm, 4.0 cm and 6.0 cm respectively, and the mass is 170 g. 
The density of the cuboid is {{ }} g/cm³. 
Give your answer to 2 sig. figs.

The mass of a solid copper block depends on the block’s volume.

The density of a solid copper block depends on the block’s volume.

A 3 kg block of pure gold is denser than a 2 kg block of pure gold.

A 3 kg block of pure gold has greater volume than a 2 kg block of pure gold.

Which of the following statements are correct?

Two objects, P and Q, have equal mass. The volume of Q is twice the volume of P. 
Which of the following statements is correct?

Measuring density

Lesson outcome

Content guidance