Calculating Density Worksheet

Calculating Density

—Mass is measured in grams. The abbreviation is g.

—Volume is measured in cubic centimeters (centimeters cubed). The abbreviation is cm³.

An Example:

—My Lego block has the following measurements:

H	4.5 cm		4.5 cm • 4 cm	18 cm2
L	4 cm		18 cm2 • 2 cm	36 cm3
W	2 cm
Mass	18 g		Volume	36 cm3

Density = Mass ÷ Volume = 18 g ÷ 36 cm³

Density = ½ g/cm³ or 0.5 g/cm³

Solve the following problems. Be sure to write out every step. Use the proper units in each step

1.           One of our Lego blocks measures 12 cm x 10 cm x 2 cm. Its mass is 120 grams. What is its density?
2.         Another Lego block is 5 cm x 5 cm x 6 cm. Its mass is 75 grams. What is its density?
3.          A third Lego block is 1.5 cm x 4 cm x 8 cm. If it has the same density as the other blocks, what is its mass?
4.         You have a rock with a volume of 15 cm3 and a mass of 45 g. What is its density?
5.          You have a different rock with a volume of 30cm3 and a mass of 60g. What is its density?
6.         In the above two examples which rock is heavier? Which is lighter?
7.          In the above two examples which rock is more dense? Which is less dense?
8.         A golden-colored cube is handed to you. The person wants you to buy it for $100, saying that is a gold nugget. You pull out your old geology text and look up gold in the mineral table, and read that its density is 19.3 g/cm3. You measure the cube and find that it is 2 cm on each side, and weighs 40 g. What is its density? Is it gold? Should you buy it?