Final answer:
A density bottle is preferred for measuring the density of substances as it provides an accurate and direct method for determining the volume of an irregular shaped solid by displacement, which is crucial for calculating density when combined with mass measurements.
Step-by-step explanation:
A density bottle is preferred when measuring density because it provides an accurate and convenient method to determine the mass and volume of a substance. When dealing with liquids, a hydrometer is often used, which measures the specific density of liquids based on buoyancy. However, the density of solids, especially irregular shapes, can be measured by displacement in water using a density bottle, which allows for precise volume determination.
Density is calculated by dividing the mass of the sample by its volume. To find the mass directly, you would weigh the substance. For solids with regular shapes, volume can be found indirectly through length measurements. In cases of irregular shaped solids, the density bottle allows for direct measurement by displacement of water. This is why it is preferred for this purpose: it provides a direct method to measure volume which, in turn, can be used to calculate density with accuracy when combined with mass measurements.
Dimensional analysis is used to ensure that units cancel appropriately when calculating densities. Since density is such a critical property of materials, understanding how to measure it accurately is important in many scientific and engineering contexts. The density bottle simplifies the process, making it both efficient and reliable.