How to Find Density

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Brian, with Ericksontutoring.blogspot.com, Today we're going to discuss how to find density. Density is a measure, and usually, well, density is the mass over the volume. In order to determine the mass, take whatever it is you want to know the density of, and weigh it on a scale. Not too difficult. And when we attempt to find the volume, this can be a little bit more tricky. The best way is to displace some sort if liquid, so take whatever it is, add, first you have a graduated cylinder, so something that you can measure the amount of water or other liquid you have, fill it up partway, and read it. Then add whatever it is that you want to know the density of, and the, the liquid should rise in your container. In order to find your volume from this, you take that final reading and subtract the initial reading. You're going to get a number that is the volume of liquid displaced. Then all you have to do is divide your mass by your volume. So, sometimes you don't necessarily have graduated cylinders laying around your house, if you're trying to find density at home. So you can get a little creative if you have some sort of square or rectangular container, you can simply take the volume, initially, and then add your substance, take it again at the end, and then the volume displaced is simply the length times the width of your rectangle, times the change in height, that you just measured. So, this was a discussion of how to find density."