I. Density Lab

Name _____________________
Date_________ Block_______
Table # ______  
II. Problem/Purpose: How to find the density of irregularly shaped objects.

III. Research: Find the density of barite, marble, hard rubber, lead, steel, cork stopper and use the result to correctly identify the minerals used in the experiment.

IV. Hypothesis: Using “heft” try to determine the density of the 6 objects in order from greatest to least dense. 
 
V. Materials
100 ml graduated cylinder, barite, marble, hard rubber, lead, steel, cork stopper, fishing line, electronic balance scale, wire, water and a pipette.

VI. Procedure
1. Zero the balance then find the mass of each sample and record the mass in the table below. 
(Be sure to weigh every object before putting them into the water.)
2. Fill the graduated cylinder to the 75 ml mark, being as accurate as possible. (Use the pipette to add the last ml of water to reach the 75-ml mark and remember to measure at the bottom of the meniscus.)
3. Take the first sample and tie the fishing line around it using a slipknot.  
4. Slowly lower the sample into the water until it is about 1 cm below the surface. It will be necessary to use a stiff piece of wire to force the cork below the surface.
5. Record the water level increase in the graduated cylinder on the chart, and then remove the sample.
6.  Check the water level of the graduated cylinder and add drops if necessary to refill to the 75-ml mark.
7. Repeat the procedure above with the remaining objects.
8.  To determine the densities divide the mass by the volume. The density should be express in the unit grams per cubic cm (g/cm3).

Sample	Mass: grams	Volume: ml	Density = m/v	
1 cork				
2 lead chess piece				
3 rubber stopper				
4 steel bolt				
5 barite 				
6 marble