Mass, Volume, and 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 measure of its inertia and is commonly measured in grams.

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Example: A balance scale shows an apple has more mass than a 1-gram weight, causing the scale to tip down on the apple's side.

Front

Volume Noun

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[vol-yoom]

Back

Volume

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The quantity of three-dimensional space an object or substance occupies, measured in milliliters for liquids or cubic centimeters for solids.

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Example: This image shows how to measure the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder by correctly reading the curved water level, called the meniscus.

Front

Density Noun

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[den-si-tee]

Back

Density

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A physical property of matter that measures how much mass is contained within a given unit of volume.

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Example: This image shows that objects with similar volume can have different densities. The less dense pumice stone floats, while the denser obsidian stone sinks.

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Matter Noun

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[mat-er]

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Matter

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The substance that all physical objects are composed of, defined as anything that has mass and takes up space.

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Example: This image shows that matter is made of particles, illustrating how their arrangement differs in solids, liquids, and gases to occupy space (volume).

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 precisely measure the mass of an object by comparing it to known masses.

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

Front

Graduated Cylinder Noun

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

Back

Graduated Cylinder

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A common piece of laboratory equipment used to accurately measure the volume of a liquid or other substance.

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Example: This image shows a graduated cylinder with a magnified view of the water level, teaching students to measure volume by reading the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus).

Front

Meniscus Noun

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[muh-nis-kus]

Back

Meniscus

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The curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube, from which accurate volume measurements are taken at its lowest point.

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Example: To measure a liquid's volume accurately, you must read the bottom of the curved surface, called the meniscus, at eye level.

Front

Water Displacement Noun

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[waw-ter dis-pleys-muhnt]

Back

Water Displacement

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A method used to determine the volume of an irregularly shaped object by measuring the volume of fluid it displaces.

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Example: Placing an object in water makes the water level rise. The volume of the displaced water is equal to the volume of the object.

Front

Particles Noun

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[pahr-ti-kuhls]

Back

Particles

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The extremely small, individual units of which all matter is composed, whose arrangement determines a substance's state and density.

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Example: This image shows how particles, the tiny building blocks of matter, are arranged differently in solids, liquids, and gases, which explains their different properties.