Mass, weight, density and model limits

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Notes de leçon

Big idea: mass, weight, density and model limits

  • Key concept: Relationships. Density equals mass divided by volume. Weight equals mass times gravitational field strength; mass is not changed by moving to a different gravitational field.
  • Related concepts: Models and evidence. Use a scientific explanation to make predictions, then test it against observations.
  • Global context: Scientific and technical innovation. Density measurements support material identification and design choices.

Mass & Weight

  • Mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object; it is a scalar quantity measured in kg (or g).
  • Weight is the gravitational force on an object with mass; it is a vector quantity measured in N.
  • Mass is constant everywhere; weight depends on gravitational field strength.
  • Equation: W = m × g, where g = gravitational field strength (N/kg).
  • On Earth, g ≈ 9.8 N/kg; on the Moon, g ≈ 1.6 N/kg.
  • A balance measures mass (kg); a force meter (newton meter) measures weight (N).

Comparing a person's mass and weight on Earth and on the Moon; mass stays the same but weight is much lower on the Moon.

Comparing a person's mass and weight on Earth and on the Moon; mass stays the same but weight is much lower on the Moon.

Density

  • Density is the mass per unit volume of a material: ρ = m / V.
  • Units: kg/m³ or g/cm³ (1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³).
  • Low-density materials have low mass for a given volume; high-density materials have high mass.
  • Gases are less dense than solids/liquids because particles are more spread out.
  • Volume of regular shapes: cube (side³), sphere (4/3πr³), cylinder (πr²h).

Volume formulas for a sphere, a cube and a cylinder, used to find volume before calculating density.

Volume formulas for a sphere, a cube and a cylinder, used to find volume before calculating density.

Measuring Density of Regular Solids

  • Use a digital balance to measure mass.
  • Measure dimensions with a ruler, Vernier calipers, or micrometer.
  • Calculate volume from dimensions, then density = mass / volume.
  • Repeat measurements and take averages to reduce random errors.

Equipment for measuring density of regular solids

Equipment for measuring density of regular solids

Measuring Density of Irregular Solids

  • Use a eureka can (displacement can) and measuring cylinder.
  • Fill the can above the spout, then wait until excess water stops dripping before placing the empty measuring cylinder under the spout.
  • Lower object gently; collect displaced water; volume = volume of object.
  • Alternatively, submerge object in measuring cylinder with water; rise in level = volume.
  • Density = mass / displaced volume.

Measuring Density of Liquids

  • Place empty measuring cylinder on digital balance; record mass.
  • Add known volume of liquid; record new mass.
  • Mass of liquid = (mass of cylinder + liquid) – (mass of empty cylinder).
  • Density = mass of liquid / volume.

Floating & Sinking

  • An object floats if its density is less than the fluid's density; sinks if greater.
  • Upthrust is an upward force on a submerged object, opposite to weight.
  • Object floats when upthrust = weight; sinks when upthrust < weight.
  • Upthrust depends on fluid density and volume of fluid displaced.
  • Example: polystyrene (0.05 g/cm³) floats on water (1.0 g/cm³); iron (7.9 g/cm³) sinks.

Floating Liquids

  • A less dense liquid floats on a denser liquid if they do not mix.
  • For an object to sink in a liquid, object density must be greater than liquid density.
  • Example: potassium (0.862 g/cm³) sinks in liquid paraffin (0.825 g/cm³) but floats in denser oils.

Think like a scientist

  • Compare density estimates for safe irregular solid objects using mass measurements and displaced water volume.
  • Comparison: the solid material tested. Outcome: density in kilograms per cubic metre.
  • Control: use the same displacement method and temperature. Explain why this makes the comparison fairer.
  • Evidence: Use a consistent method, repeated observations where appropriate and a table with labelled quantities and units. Keep unexpected results and investigate their cause.
  • Safety: Practical activities need teacher supervision and an appropriate risk assessment. Use the provided data or simulation where the investigation specifies it.
  • Inquiry task: State a testable question, predict the outcome using the science, then explain how your observations would support or challenge the prediction.

Evaluate the science

  • Density measurements support material identification and design choices.
  • Trapped air, water absorption and reading uncertainty can affect displacement measurements and the inferred density.
  • Evaluation task: Link your conclusion to evidence, identify a limitation and suggest a specific improvement. Distinguish a measured result from an explanation of its cause.

Diapos

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Questions d'entraînement

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  1. 1.Which of the following quantities is weight an example of?

    Easy
    • AForce
    • BMass
    • CAcceleration
    • DField strength
  2. 2.Which of the following statements about mass or weight is true?

    Easy
    • AWeight is measured in Newtons
    • BWeight is measured in kilograms
    • CMass = weight × gravitational field strength
    • DMass is a force
  3. 3.How is the weight of an object defined?

    Easy
    • AThe gravitational force acting on an object with mass
    • BThe force of the ground pushing on an object
    • CA measure of the quantity of matter of an object at rest to the observer
    • DThe mass per unit volume of an object
  4. 4.Which row in the table gives the correct units for mass and for weight?

    Easy
    • AMass kg, Weight kg
    • BMass N, Weight kg
    • CMass N, Weight N
    • DMass kg, Weight N
  5. 5.Which of the following quantities is measured in kilograms?

    Easy
    • Amass
    • Bweight
    • Cpressure
    • Ddensity
  6. 6.Which statement about the mass and the weight of an object is correct?

    Easy
    • AThey have different units.
    • BThey are both affected by changes in the acceleration of free fall.
    • CThey are both forces.
    • DWeight is calculated by dividing mass by the acceleration of free fall.
  7. 7.The gravitational field strength on the Moon is 1.6 N/kg. An astronaut has a mass of 75 kg. What is the weight of the astronaut on the Moon?

    Easy
    • A120 N
    • B47 N
    • C75 N
    • D740 N
  8. 8.Which unit is a unit of weight?

    Easy
    • Akilonewton
    • Bkilogram
    • Ckilojoule
    • Dkilometre

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