IGCSE

PHYSICS
Mass, weight and Density
 Mass, weight and Density

•Mass
∙ Mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an
object at rest relative to the observer
o Mass is a scalar quantity
o The SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg)
∙ Consequently, mass is the property of an object that
resists change in motion
o The greater the mass of an object, the more difficult it is to
speed it up, slow it down, or change its direction
 Weight

∙ Weight is a gravitational force on an object

with mass
o Weight is a force, so it is a vector quantity
o The SI units for force are newtons (N)
∙ Weight is the effect of a gravitational field on
a mass
∙ The weight of a body is equal to the product of
its mass (m) and the acceleration of free fall (g)
• You can rearrange this equation with the help
of the formula triangle:

Use the formula triangle to help you rearrange the

equation
 Gravitational Field Strength

∙ Gravitational field strength is defined as:

•The force per unit mass acting on an object in a gravitational
field
∙ On Earth, this is equal to 9.81 N/kg
∙ Gravitational field strength is also known as acceleration of free
fall, or acceleration due to gravity
o In this context the units are m/s2
∙ The value of g (gravitational field strength) varies from planet to
planet depending on their mass and radius
∙ A few examples of varying gravitational field strength are shown
below:
Gravitational field strength of the planets in our solar system
 Mass v Weight

∙ An object’s mass always remains the same,

however, its weight will differ depending on
the strength of the gravitational field on
different planets
∙ For example, the gravitational field strength on
the Moon is 1.63 N/kg, meaning an object’s
weight will be about 6 times less than on Earth
On the moon, your mass will stay the same but your weight will be
much lower
 Using a Balance

∙ The weight of two objects can be compared

using a balance
o Because the gravitational field strength is constant
everywhere on Earth, this also allows us to
measure the mass of an object
A balance can be used to compare two different weights
 CLASS WORK
Answer the following questions:
1. A book is weighed on Earth. It is found to have a mass of 1kg. So its weight
on the Earth is 10 N. What can you say about its mass and its weight if you
take it:
a) to the moon where gravity is weaker than on Earth………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
b) to Jupiter, where gravity is stronger…………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. An astronaut has a mass of 90kg.
a) Calculate the weight on the surface of the Earth……………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
a) The astronaut travel to mars, where gravity is weaker. The acceleration of
free fall on the surface of mars has a value g = 3.7 ms². Calculate the
weight on Mars……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 Density
∙ Density is defined as:
•The mass per unit volume of a material
∙ Objects made from low density materials typically
have a low mass
∙ Similarly sized objects made from high density
materials have a high mass
o For example, a bag full of feathers is far lighter compared to
a similar bag full of metal
o Or another example, a balloon is less dense than a small bar
of lead despite occupying a larger volume
Density (ρ)
• density = mass
• volume
•ρ = m / V
•
• mass, m is measured in kilograms (kg)
• volume, V is measured in cubic metres (m3)
• density, ρ is measured
• in kilograms per cubic metres (kg/m3)

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• Density is related to mass and volume by the
following equation:
• Gases, for examples, are less dense than solids
because the molecules are more spread out
(same mass, over a larger volume)

Gases are less dense than solids

• This equation can be rearranged with the help
of the formula triangle:

Density, mass, volume formula triangle

∙ The units of density depend on what units are used
for mass and volume:
o If the mass is measured in g and volume in cm3, then the
density will be in g/cm3
o If the mass is measured in kg and volume in m3, then the
density will be in kg/m3
∙ This table gives some examples of densities on
common materials
o If a material is more dense than water (1000 kg/m3), then
it will sink
 • Conversion between kg/m3 and g/cm3
A 1g mass of water has a volume of 1cm3
but 1g = 0.001kg
and 1cm3 = 0.000 001 m3
Therefore: 1m3 of water will have a mass
of 1000 000 x 1g = 1000kg

1000 kg/m3 is the same as 1 g/cm3

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Approximate Densities of Materials
Table
The volume of an object may not always be given directly, but
can be calculated with the appropriate equation depending on
the object’s shape
 Worked Example
• A paving slab has a mass of 73 kg and
dimensions 0.04 m × 0.5 m × 0.85 m.

• Calculate the density, in kg/m3, of the material

from which the paving slab is made.
•Step 1: List the known quantities
o Mass of slab, m = 73 kg
o Volume of slab, V = 0.04 m × 0.5 m × 0.85 m = 0.017 m3
•Step 2: Write out the equation for densityStep 3:

•Substitute in values
•ρ = 73 ÷ 0.017 = 4294 kg/m3
•Step 4: Round the answer to two significant figures
•ρ = 4300 kg/m3
 Exam Tip

•Make sure you are comfortable converting between

units such as metres (m) and centimetres (cm) or
grams (g) and kilograms (kg).
∙ When converting a larger unit to a smaller one,
you multiply (×)
o E.g. 125 m = 125 × 100 = 12 500 cm
∙ When you convert a smaller unit to a larger one,
you divide (÷)
o E.g. 5 g = 5 ÷ 1000 = 0.005 or 5 × 10-3 kg
 • Question 1
Calculate the density of a metal block of
volume 0.20 m3 and mass 600 kg.

density = mass
volume
= 600 kg / 0.20 m3
density of the metal = 3000 kg / m3

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 Question 2

Calculate the mass of a block of wood of

volume 0.050 m3 and density 600 kg/m3.

ρ=m/V
becomes:
m=ρxV
= 600 kg/m3 x 0.050 m3
mass of wood = 30 kg

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 Question 3

• Calculate the volume of a liquid of mass

45 kg and density 900 kg/m3.
•
•ρ=m/V
• becomes:
•V=m/ρ
• = 45 kg ÷ 900 kg/m3
• volume of liquid = 0.05 m3

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 Question 4

• When a small stone is immersed into the water

inside a measuring cylinder the level increases
from 20.0 to 27.5 ml. Calculate the density of the
stone in g/cm3 if its mass is 60g.
•
• Volume of stone = (27.5 – 20.0) ml
• = 7.5 cm3
• ρ=m/V
• = 60g / 7.5cm3
• density of the stone = 8.0 g/cm3

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 Question 5

Calculate the density in g/cm3 and kg/m3 of a metal

cylinder of radius 2cm, height 3cm and mass 400g.

Volume of a cylinder = π x r2 x h
= π x (2cm)2 x 3cm
= 3.142 x 4 x 3
= 37.7 cm3
ρ=m/V
= 400 g / 37.7 cm3
metal density = 10.6 g/cm3
= 10 600 kg/m3

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 Question 6

• Calculate the mass of a teaspoon full (1 cm3) of a neutron

star. Density of a neutron star = 1.0 x 1017 kg/m3.

• 1.0 cm3 = 0.000 0001 m3

• ρ=m/V
• becomes:
• m=ρxV
• = 1.0 x 1017 kg/m3 x 0.000 0001 m3
• mass = 1.0 x 1011 kg

• Note: 1 tonne = 1000 kg = 1.0 x 103 kg

• Therefore mass = one hundred million tonnes!

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 Question 7

• Calculate the weight of a gold ingot of dimensions (20

x 10 x 4) cm. The density of gold is 19 300 kg/m3.
•
• volume of gold = 800 cm3
• = 0.0008 m3
• mass = volume x density
• = 0.0008 x 19 300 = 15.4 kg
• weight = mass x gravitational field strength
• = 15.4 x 10
•
• weight of gold ingot = 154 N

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 Complete:
density mass volume
3 3
6 g/cm 240 g 40 cm
3
3000 4500 kg 1.5 m
3
kg/m
3
0.80 80 cm
3 64 g
g/cm
3
3 g/cm3
11.10.2022 г.
9 kg
MARINA International
0.003 m 32
 Measuring Density
•Equipment List
∙ Resolution of measuring equipment:
o 30 cm ruler = 1 mm
o Vernier calipers = 0.01 mm
o Micrometer = 0.001 mm
o Digital balance = 0.01 g
 Experiment 1: Measuring the
Density of Regularly Shaped Objects
∙ The aim of this experiment is to determine the
densities of regular objects by using measurements
of their dimensions
•Variables:
∙ Independent variable = Type of shape / volume
∙ Dependent variable = Mass of the object
Method
1. Place the object on a digital balance and note
down its mass
2. Use either the ruler, Vernier calipers or
micrometer to measure the object’s dimensions
(width, height, length, radius) – the apparatus will
depend on the size of the object
3. Repeat these measurements and take an average
of these readings before calculating the density
An example of a results table might
look like this:
 Analysis of Results

∙ Calculate the volume of the object depending

on whether it is a cube, sphere, cylinder (or
other regular shape)
Calculating the volume of an object depends on its shape
 Calculating the volume of an object
depends on its shape
∙ Remember to convert from centimetres
(cm) to metres (m) by dividing by 100
•1 cm = 0.01 m
•50 cm = 0.5 m
• Using the mass and volume, the density of
each can be calculated using the equation:
∙ Where:
o ρ = density in kilogram per metres cubed (kg/m3)
o m = mass in kilograms (kg)
o V = volume in metres cubed (m3)
 Experiment 2: Measuring the
Density of Irregularly Shaped
Objects
∙ The aim of this experiment is to determine the
densities of irregular objects using a displacement
technique
•Variables:
∙ Independent variable = Different irregular shapes /
mass
∙ Dependent variable = Volume of displaced water
 Method

Apparatus for measuring the density of irregular objects

1. Place the object on a digital balance and note down
its mass
2. Fill the eureka can with water up to a point just
below the spout
3. Place an empty measuring cylinder below its spout
4. Carefully lower the object into the eureka can
5. Measure the volume of the displaced water in the
measuring cylinder
6. Repeat these measurements and take an average
before calculating the density
• Alternatively, the object can be placed in a
measuring cylinder containing a known volume
of liquid, and the change in volume then
measured
• When an irregular solid is placed in a
measuring cylinder, the level of the liquid will
rise by an amount equal to the volume of the
solid
• Once the mass and volume of the shape is
known, its density can be calculated
• An example of a results table might look like
this:
 Analysis of Results

∙ The volume of the water displaced is equal to

the volume of the object
∙ Once the mass and volume of the shape are
known, the density can be calculated using:
 Experiment 3: Measuring Density of
Liquids
∙ The aim of this experiment is to determine the
density of a liquid by finding a difference in its
mass
•Variables:
∙ Independent variable = Volume of water
added
∙ Dependent variable = Mass of cylinder
Method
1. Place an empty measuring cylinder on a digital
balance and note down the mass
2. Fill the cylinder with the liquid and note down
the volume
3. Note down the new reading on the digital
balance
4. Repeat these measurements and take an
average before calculating the density
• An example of a results table might look like
this:
 Analysis of Results
∙ Find the mass of the liquid by subtracting the final
reading from the original reading
•Mass of liquid = Mass of cylinder with water – mass
of cylinder
∙ Remember to convert between grams
(g) and kilograms (kg) by dividing by 1000
•1 g = 0.001 kg
•78 g = 0.078 kg
∙ Once the mass and volume of the liquid are known,
the density can be calculated using the equation:
 Evaluating the Experiments

•Systematic Errors:
∙ Ensure the digital balance is set to zero before
taking measurements of mass
o This includes when measuring the density of the
liquid – remove the measuring cylinder and zero
the balance before adding the liquid
•Random Errors:
∙A main cause of error in this experiment is in
the measurements of length
o Ensure to take repeat readings and calculate an
average to keep this error to a minimum
∙ Place the irregular object in the displacement
can carefully, as dropping it from a height
might cause water to splash which will lead to
an incorrect volume reading
 Safety Considerations

∙ There is a lot of glassware in this experiment,

ensure this is handled carefully
∙ Water should not be poured into the measuring
cylinder when it is on the electric balance
o This could lead to electric shock
∙ Make sure to stand up during the whole
experiment, to react quickly to any spills
 Exam Tip

•There is a lot of information to take in here! When writing

about experiments, a good sequence is as follows:
∙ If you need to use an equation to calculate something, start
off by giving it as this will give you some hints about what
you need to mention later
∙ List the apparatus that you need
∙ State what measurements you need to make (your
equation will give you some hints) and how you will
measure them
∙ Finally, state that you will repeat each measurement several
times and take averages
 Floating Objects

•Upthrust
∙ Upthrust is a force that pushes upwards on an object
submerged in a fluid i.e. liquids and gases
∙ It is always in the opposite direction to the object's weight
o This is why boats, and objects that are less dense than water,
float
∙ The size of the upthrust depends on the density of the fluid
as well as the volume of fluid that is displaced (which is
equal to the volume of the object)
o The denser the liquid, the greater the upthrust it will exert on an
object
Factors Affecting Floating & Sinking
∙ Whether an object sinks or floats depends on the
upthrust:
o If the upthrust on an object is equal to (or greater than)
the object’s weight, then the object will float
o If the upthrust is smaller than the weight then the
object will sink
∙ The outcome also depends on the object's density:
o If it has a density less than the density of the fluid it is
immersed in, the object will float
o If it has a density more than the density of the fluid it is
immersed in, the object will sink
• This is because if the density of the object is
greater than the density of the fluid, the
object can never displace enough fluid to
create an upthrust that will hold its weight up
(and therefore sinks)
Objects which are less dense than water will float and which are
more dense will sink