Density Calculations

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Density Noun

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[den-si-tee]

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Density

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The measure of mass per unit volume of a substance, indicating how tightly packed its matter is.

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Example: This image shows two cubes of the same volume on a balance. The cube with more particles (more mass) is heavier, demonstrating it has a higher density.

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Mass Noun

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[mas]

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Mass

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The amount of matter contained within a physical object, commonly measured in units like grams (g) or kilograms (kg).

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Example: This image shows a balance beam is level, meaning the large sphere on one side has the same mass as the four smaller spheres on the other.

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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, measured in cubic meters (m³) or milliliters (mL).

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Example: The image shows that the volume of a cube, the amount of space it occupies, is calculated by multiplying its side length (s) by itself three times (s³).

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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 piece of laboratory equipment used to precisely measure the volume of a liquid or an irregularly shaped object.

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Example: This image shows how a graduated cylinder measures an object's volume by displacement, comparing the initial and final water levels to prepare for density calculation.

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Displacement Noun

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[dis-pleys-muhnt]

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Displacement

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A method used to determine an object's volume by measuring the volume of fluid it pushes aside when submerged.

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Example: Submerging an object in a graduated cylinder displaces a volume of water equal to the object's volume, shown by the rise in the water level.

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SI Unit Noun

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[es-ahy yoo-nit]

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SI Unit

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The standard unit of measurement for a physical quantity as defined by the International System of Units (Système International).

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Example: This image compares a metric ruler (used for SI units like centimeters) with a customary ruler (using inches), showing the standard system for scientific measurements.

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Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) Noun

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[kil-uh-gramz pur kyoo-bik mee-ter]

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Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)

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The official SI derived unit for measuring the density of a substance, representing mass in kilograms per unit volume.

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Example: This image shows a cube that is one meter on each side (one cubic meter) being weighed on a scale, which reads one kilogram, visually defining the unit of density.

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Grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) Noun

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[gramz pur kyoo-bik sen-ti-mee-ter]

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Grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)

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A common metric unit for measuring density, which is conveniently equivalent to grams per milliliter (g/mL) for liquids.

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Example: This image shows two blocks with the same mass (grams) but different volumes. By calculating the volume of each in cubic centimeters (cm³), you can determine their different densities in g/cm³.

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Relative Density Noun

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

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Relative Density

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The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a given reference substance, which is typically water.

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Example: This experiment shows relative density. The pumice stone is less dense than water, so it floats. The obsidian stone is denser than water, so it sinks.

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Dimensionless Adjective

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[di-men-shuhn-lis]

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Dimensionless

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Describing a pure number or quantity that does not have any associated physical units of measurement, such as relative density.

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Example: The 'Strain' on the bottom axis is a dimensionless quantity because it is a ratio comparing a change in length to an original length, causing units to cancel.