Relative Density

Front

Density Noun

---

[den-si-tee]

Back

Density

---

The property of matter that describes how much mass is present in a given volume of a substance.

---

Example: This experiment shows that a pumice stone floats because it is less dense than water, while an obsidian stone sinks because it is more dense than water.

Front

Mass Noun

---

[mas]

Back

Mass

---

The amount of matter present in an object or substance, which does not change from place to place.

---

Example: This image shows a balance scale comparing two objects, demonstrating that the apple has more mass than the 1-gram weight.

Front

Volume Noun

---

[vol-yoom]

Back

Volume

---

The amount of three-dimensional space an object or substance occupies.

---

Example: The volume of a regular solid, like this box, is the amount of 3D space it occupies, calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height.

Front

Weight Noun

---

[wayt]

Back

Weight

---

The force with which a celestial body, like Earth, attracts an object towards itself, measured in Newtons.

---

Example: A spring scale measures weight, the force of gravity on an object, in Newtons. This measurement is a key step in determining an object's relative density.

Front

Relative Density Noun

---

[rel-uh-tiv den-si-tee]

Back

Relative Density

---

A unitless ratio that compares the density of a substance with the density of a reference material, usually water.

---

Example: This image shows how objects with different densities behave in water: cork and wood float because they are less dense, while aluminum sinks because it is denser.

Front

Meniscus Noun

---

[muh-nis-kus]

Back

Meniscus

---

The curved upper surface of a liquid in a container, which is read at eye level for accurate volume measurement.

---

Example: To measure volume accurately, read the bottom of the curved liquid surface, the meniscus, at eye level to avoid parallax error.

Front

Parallax Error Noun

---

[par-uh-laks er-er]

Back

Parallax Error

---

An error in reading a measurement scale that occurs when the observer's eye is not level with the marking.

---

Example: This diagram shows that viewing a measurement from an angle (top or bottom) causes a parallax error, while viewing it at eye-level gives an accurate reading.

Front

Water Displacement Noun

---

[waw-ter dis-pleys-muhnt]

Back

Water Displacement

---

A method to measure the volume of an irregular solid by submerging it and measuring the volume of displaced liquid.

---

Example: Placing a rock into a graduated cylinder causes the water level to rise, showing the rock displaces a volume of water equal to its own volume.

Front

Anomalous Expansion Noun

---

[uh-nom-uh-luhs ik-span-shuhn]

Back

Anomalous Expansion

---

The unusual behavior of water where it expands and becomes less dense when cooled from 4°C to 0°C.

---

Example: Water is most dense at 4°C, causing it to sink, while less dense ice (0°C) floats, allowing aquatic life to survive in the warmer water below.

Front

Convection Current Noun

---

[kuhn-vek-shuhn kur-uhnt]

Back

Convection Current

---

The movement within a fluid where warmer, less dense material rises and cooler, denser material sinks.

---

Example: Heating a fluid from below makes it less dense, causing it to rise. As it cools near the surface, it becomes denser and sinks, creating a circular flow.