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Determining Density

Density
Density is a measure of the amount of matter per unit of volume

High Density

Low Density

Objects more dense than water sink Objects less dense than water float

Matter: Mass vs. Weight


Mass is the amount of matter in an object or the quantity of the inertia of the object Weight is the force of gravity on mass

W = mg
W = weight m = mass g = acceleration of gravity Many materials are purchased by weight

Matter: Mass vs. Weight


Mass and Weight are often confused An example using SI units
A man has a mass of 100 kg

W = mg W = (100 kg)(9.8 m/sec2) = 980 Newton


He weighs 980 N

Matter: Mass vs. Weight


Mass and Weight are often confused US Customary units example
A woman weighs 100 pounds

W = mg
W m = g
100 lb = = 3.1 slugs ft 32.2 s2 Her mass is 3.1 slugs

Mass vs. Weight


Pound-mass (lbm) is a unit of mass
1 lbm = 0.45359237 kg (by definition) 1 kg = 2.205 lbm (formula sheet) 1 slug = 32.2 lbm (formula sheet)
Formula Sheet

Mass vs. Weight


Pound-force (lb) is a unit of force
The gravitational force exerted on a mass of one lbm on the surface of the Earth 1 lb = 4.44822162 N 1 N = 0.225 lb
Formula Sheet

Mass vs. Weight


How are pound-mass and pound-force related?
On Earth (g = 32.174 ft/s2)
1 pound-mass object weighs1 pound-force

In outer space (no gravity)


1 pound-mass object has no weight

On the moon (g = 5.32 ft/s2)


1 pound-mass object weighs 0.166 pound-force

Density
Density can be indicated in multiple ways
Mass Density = mass per unit volume Weight Density = weight per unit volume
Formula Sheet

m = VDm
m Dm = V

W = VDw
W Dw = V

Mass/Weight Density
Mass Density commonly used for SI units
g/cm3 or kg/m3

Weight Density commonly used for US Customary units


lb/in.3 or lb/ft3
Material
Apples

Mass Density Weight Density (g/cm3) (lb/in.3)


0.64 0.023

Water (Pure)
Water (Sea) Ice Concrete Aluminum Steel (1018) Gold

1.00
1.03 0.92 2.40 2.71 7.8 19.32

0.036
0.037 0.034 0.087 0.098
0.282

0.698

Mass and Weight: Measurement


Balance measures mass
Uses objects of known mass to find the unknown mass of an object Measurement is unaffected by difference in gravity

Scale measures weight


Measures force caused by gravity Measurement is affected by difference in the acceleration of gravity May display a mass measurement reading by using an assumed acceleration of gravity to convert from weight to mass

Volume: Measurement
Volume is the amount of three dimensional space enclosed by an object
Two methods to determine volume
Calculate using geometry of object

Measure indirectly using water displacement (or 3D scanner)

Volume: Calculation
Some object volumes can be calculated What is the volume formula for each object?

Volume: Indirect Measure


Volume of an irregular object can be determined indirectly with fluid displacement

Level Elevates

Volume: Indirect Measure


Record water level with only water Add samples Record new level Difference is sample volume

Read level here

Volume Change

Meniscus shape is exaggerated for clarity

Example
What is the density of a 1.12 in. diameter sphere of titanium that weighs 0.82 lb?
4 V = r3 3 4 V = 1.12 in. 3 3 V = 5.88 in3 W = VDw W 0.82 lb Dw = = V 5.88 in.3 Dw = 0.14 lb/in.3

What volume of water (mL) would it displace?


5.88 in.3 3 1 ft 1728 in.3 1L 3 0.0353 ft = 0.096 L or 96 mL

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