Density and Relative Density

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Mass Noun

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[mas]

Back

Mass

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The amount of matter an object contains, which is a fundamental property that is not affected by gravity.

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Example: This image shows a balance scale is level, indicating the single large sphere has the same mass as the four smaller spheres combined.

Front

Matter Noun

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[mat-er]

Back

Matter

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Any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume, existing in various states like solid or liquid.

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Example: This image shows that different types of matter, like a pumice stone and an obsidian stone, have different densities, causing one to float and one to sink.

Front

Volume Noun

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[vol-yoom]

Back

Volume

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The amount of three-dimensional space that a substance or object occupies, often measured in liters or cubic meters.

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Example: This image shows a measuring cup with markings in milliliters (mL), demonstrating that volume is the amount of space a substance, like this liquid, occupies.

Front

Density Noun

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[den-si-tee]

Back

Density

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The measure of mass per unit of volume, representing how tightly packed the matter is within a given substance.

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Example: This image shows two cubes of the same size on a balance. The cube with more particles packed inside is heavier and lower, demonstrating it has a higher density.

Front

Weight Noun

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[wayt]

Back

Weight

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A measure of the force of gravity acting on an object's mass, which can change depending on the gravitational field.

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Example: This image shows that an object's mass (50 kg) stays the same, but its weight changes (110 lbs vs. 42 lbs) depending on the planet's gravity.

Front

Gravity Noun

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[grav-i-tee]

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Gravity

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The universal force of attraction that acts between all matter, giving physical objects weight and influencing their motion.

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Example: This diagram shows Earth creating a gravitational field, with arrows indicating that the force of gravity pulls objects toward the planet's center.

Front

Triple-beam balance Noun

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[trip-ul-beem bal-ans]

Back

Triple-beam balance

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A scientific instrument used to measure the mass of an object with high precision by comparing it to known masses.

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Example: This image shows a triple-beam balance, a tool used to measure the mass of an object by sliding weights along three separate beams.

Front

Graduated cylinder Noun

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[grad-joo-ay-tid sil-in-der]

Back

Graduated cylinder

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A piece of laboratory equipment used to accurately measure the volume of a liquid or an irregularly shaped solid.

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Example: This diagram shows a graduated cylinder used to measure liquid volume. The close-up demonstrates reading the volume at the bottom of the curved meniscus.