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25 votes
25 votes
If there is a huge boulder on your lawn and you want to determine its density, but it is

too large to move, how could you calculate its density?

User Volkerschulz
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2.6k points

2 Answers

24 votes
24 votes

We should use the density formula.


\\ \sf\longmapsto p=(m)/(v)

  • p stands for density
  • m stands for mass
  • v stands for density.

Density has SI units namely kg/m^3.

User Zcadqe
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2.9k points
10 votes
10 votes

There are different options here but all of them work by approximating and assuming.

i) that the boulder is above ground.

ii) that the bottom surface of the boulder is known.

iii) the shape of the boulder is taken into account.

The most accurate way is measuring it by displacement method but the boulder is immovable hence the volume can be calculated by measuring the boulder or a waterproof box to be built around the boulder and calculate the volume occupied by boulder.

All the above methods are estimating methods.

*Another way to find the density is through specific gravity.

S.G = Density of object

Density of water

If the material that makes the boulder is known that is if it's stone or a mineral then the specific gravity can be found.

If the boulder is purely rock then S.G lies between 3 - 3.5 and the density of water is known thus the density of the boulder can be found without moving the boulder.

This is what I think after correction and allthe best!

User Enducat
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2.8k points