Final answer:
To determine an object's mass, weigh it directly. The volume can be found by water displacement in a graduated cylinder. Density is calculated by dividing mass by volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the mass of an object, you can use a scale to weigh it directly. The volume of an irregular object, like a crown, can be found by submerging it in water in a graduated cylinder and measuring the water displacement. Finally, density is calculated by dividing the mass of the object by its volume (Density = Mass / Volume). For example, the density of a rock weighing 240 grams and displacing 89.0 cm³ of water is 240 g / 89.0 cm³. Using dimensional analysis, the calculated density would be the mass-to-volume ratio of the rock. Similarly, for a substance like gold with a known density, you can calculate either mass or volume if one of them is unknown, using the density formula rearranged.
It is crucial to use accurate measurements to ensure precise calculations for mass, volume, and density. Gold, as a reference, has a known density of 19.3 g/cm³, which allows for these properties to be determined when comparing objects likely made of gold.