Question

You want to find the density of an object that you cannot measure with a ruler so you must find the volume with water displacement. In order to do this you place the object in a graduated cylinder with 100 mL of water in it. After you have placed the object in the water the water level raises to 150 mL. You have also measured the mass to be 40 g. What is the density of the object?

Answer 1

To calculate the density, subtract the initial water volume from the final water volume to find the object's volume, then divide the mass of the object (40 g) by this volume (50 cm³) to get a density of 0.8 g/cm³.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the density of an object using water displacement, you must measure the volume of water that is displaced when the object is submerged. In this case, the object, when placed in a cylinder containing 100 mL of water, raised the water level to 150 mL. Therefore, the volume of the object is 150 mL - 100 mL, which is 50 mL or 50 cm³. Next, we use the formula for density ρ = m / V, where ρ is density, m is mass, and V is volume. The mass of the object is given as 40 g. Hence, the density ρ = 40 g / 50 cm³ = 0.8 g/cm³.