Density Calculations

Density tells you the amount of mass within a certain . If two objects have different volumes but the
same , then their densities will be . However if you have 2 different sized objects made
out of the same their volumes may be different but the density of each object is the same, as
they are made out of material.

To calculate the density of an object you use the following equation:

Mass(kg)
Density (kg /m3 )=
Volume(m3)

The mass is measured in kg, while the volume can be found from the dimensions of the block:

Volume = x height x width w

V=Lxhxw
h
units = m x m x m = m 3 L

The same mass volume different material length

Example: A classroom has a volume of 300 m3 and the air inside it has a mass of 3.5 kg. Calculate the density of
the air and give your answer to 2 significant figures:

Mass(kg)
Density (kg /m3 )=
Volume(m3)
Density = ?
3.5
Mass = 3.5 Kg Density=
300
Volume = 300 m 3
Density=0.01166666666 Don’t forget to round to 2
significant figures
3
Density=0.011 kg/m

Example 2: A mobile phone has a mass of 0.171 kg has a volume of 0.000105 m3. Calculate the density of the
block.

Mass(kg)
Density (kg /m3 )=
Density = Volume(m3)

Mass =

Volume =
Density=¿
 3
Density=kg /m

Density calculations (higher tier)

BOX all command words in a question before you answer it.
1) A) A student wishes to find the density of a wooden block. They find that the block has a mass of 0.5 kg and a
volume of 0.0008 m 3. Calculate the density of the wooden block.

3
Answer = kg /m [2]

B) The student then finds the mass of a steel block, 4 kg, and measures the length, height and width of the
steel block (figure 1).
0.05 m
Use this information to calculate the density of the steel block,
and state the units. 0.05 m
0.2 m

Answer = Units = [4]

C) The density of water is 1000 kg /m3. What will happen when the 2 blocks are placed in water? Use your
answers to parts A and B to support your answer.

[3]

2) A cube has sides of length 10 cm, and a volume of 1000 c m3. Convert this volume into m 3
10 cm
10 cm
 10 cm
3
Answer = m [2]

IN THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS YOU WILL NEED TO RE-ARRANGE THE EQUATION GIVEN THE PREVIOUS SECTION.

3) The average density of a human is 985 kg /m3. When person A climbed into a bath filled to the brim, they
displaced 0.04925 m 3of water. Determine the mass of person A.

Mass = kg [3]

4) Using the density of gold, 19,300 kg /m3, determine the mass of a gold watch which has a volume of 21 cm3.
Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

Answer = kg [5]

EXAM TECHNIQUE QUESTIONS:

What were the two extra steps (MARKS) you needed to do for the answer in Q4 compared to Q3?



H.O.T Question  Command words: Q1 asked you to “calculate” 3&4 asked you to “determine” what’s the
difference between these commands?

H.O.T task:

Use space in your book to answer the following, write the question in your book first:

5) Calculate the density of a solid cube with sides of 5 cm and a mass of 1.31 kg.

6) Calculate the mass of 150 m of copper cable of circular cross section with diameter of 0.50 mm.
L
Density of copper = 8960 kg /m3

Area of a circle = π r 2 D = 2r

Volume of a cylinder = L π r 2

7) A 1 litre (1000c m3) bottle is filled with a mixture of water and oil in a ratio of 3:1.

The density of water is 1000 kg /m3 and the density of oil is 880kg /m3.

What is the mass of the liquid mixture inside the water bottle?