Calculating Density

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Density Noun

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[den-si-tee]

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Density

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A physical property of matter measuring the amount of mass in a given volume, indicating how closely particles are packed.

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Example: This image shows two cubes of the same volume on a balance beam; the cube with more particles has more mass, making it heavier and thus more dense.

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Mass Noun

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[mas]

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Mass

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The measure of the amount of matter contained within a physical object, commonly expressed in grams or kilograms.

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Example: A balance scale shows that the rock has more mass than the feather, causing the scale to tip down on the rock's side.

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Volume Noun

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[vol-yoom]

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Volume

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The amount of three-dimensional space an object or substance occupies, often measured in milliliters or cubic centimeters.

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Example: This image shows how to measure the volume of a liquid by reading the bottom of the curved surface, called the meniscus, at eye level.

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Matter Noun

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[mat-er]

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Matter

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Any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume, consisting of atoms and other particles.

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Example: This image shows matter is made of particles. How tightly these particles are packed determines the state (solid, liquid, gas) and affects its density.

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Physical Property Noun

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[fiz-i-kuhl prop-er-tee]

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Physical Property

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A characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical identity.

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Example: This image shows a barrel of gasoline, a substance known for its strong odor, which is an example of a physical property.

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Water Displacement Noun

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[waw-ter dis-pleys-muhnt]

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Water Displacement

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A method for determining the volume of an irregularly shaped object by measuring the volume of fluid it displaces.

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Example: Placing an irregular object, like a rock, into a graduated cylinder of water causes the water level to rise, demonstrating water displacement to find volume.

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Graduated Cylinder Noun

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[graj-oo-ey-tid sil-in-der]

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Graduated Cylinder

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A common piece of laboratory equipment used to accurately measure the volume of a liquid or for water displacement.

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Example: This image shows how to accurately measure a liquid's volume in a graduated cylinder by reading the measurement at the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus).

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Triple Beam Balance Noun

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[trip-uhl beem bal-uhns]

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Triple Beam Balance

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An instrument used to precisely measure the mass of an object by comparing its mass to known counterweights.

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Example: This diagram shows how to read a triple beam balance by adding the mass from each of the three beams (hundreds, tens, and ones) together.