AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
Required practical activity 5: use appropriate apparatus to make and…
Full specification wording
Density of materials: Required practical activity 5: use appropriate apparatus to make and record the measurements needed to determine the densities of regular and irregular solid objects and liquids. Volume shoul be determined from the dimensions of regularly shaped objects, and by a displacement technique for irregularly shaped objects. Dimensions to be measured using appropriate apparatus such as a ruler, micrometer or Vernier callipers.
Both methods start the same way: measure the mass on a balance and calculate density from ρ = m ÷ V. For a regular solid, measure the sides with a ruler, or with a micrometer or Vernier callipers…
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Both methods start the same way: measure the mass on a balance and calculate density from ρ = m ÷ V. For a regular solid, measure the sides with a ruler, or with a micrometer or Vernier callipers for small dimensions, and calculate the volume from those dimensions, so for a cube V = side³. For an irregular solid such as a small statue you cannot calculate the volume, so use displacement: fill a eureka can to the spout, lower the object in until it is fully submerged, and collect the displaced water in a measuring cylinder, because the volume of water displaced equals the volume of the object. For a liquid, find the mass of an empty measuring cylinder, add the liquid, reweigh, and subtract.
What earns the marks
- Marked by levels out of 6, not by separate points: Level 1 = 1-2 marks, Level 2 = 3-4 marks, Level 3 = 5-6 marks for a method that would give a valid outcome with all key steps identified and logically sequenced.
- Credited within the level: measure the mass of the object on a balance.
- Credited within the level: find the volume of a regular object from its measured dimensions, using a ruler, a micrometer or Vernier callipers as the size requires.
- Credited within the level: lower an irregular object until it is fully submerged in a displacement can and collect the water that overflows in a measuring cylinder.
- Credited within the level: the volume of water displaced equals the volume of the object.
- Credited within the level: calculate the density from ρ = m ÷ V.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Weighing the liquid in its container and forgetting to subtract the mass of the empty container.
Using a ruler on an irregular object and calling the result its volume.
Not submerging the object completely, so the volume displaced is too small.
Mixing grams with cubic metres and reporting a density that is wrong by a factor of a thousand.
Exam tips
- Six-mark method answers are marked by levels, so put the steps in a logical order another person could follow.
- Name the instrument for every measurement: balance, ruler or callipers, measuring cylinder.
- Finish the method with the equation you would use, because the calculation step is part of the top level description.
Try the lesson
The start of the Density of materials: Required practical activity 5: use appropriate apparatus to make and record the measurements needed to determine the densities of regular and irregular solid objects and liquids. Volume shoul be determined from the dimensions of regularly shaped objects, and by a displacement technique for irregularly shaped objects. Dimensions to be measured using appropriate apparatus such as a ruler, micrometer or Vernier callipers. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A student measures the mass of a regular solid cube as 54.0 g. The cube has sides of length 3.0 cm. Calculate the density of the cube in g/cm³.
Listen
Both methods start the same way: measure the mass on a balance and calculate density from ρ = m ÷ V. For a regular solid, measure the sides with a ruler, or with a micrometer or Vernier callipers for small dimensions, and calculate the volume from those dimensions, so for a cube V = side³. For an irregular solid such as a small statue you cannot calculate the volume, so use displacement: fill a eureka can to the spout, lower the object in until it is fully submerged, and collect the displaced water in a measuring cylinder, because the volume of water displaced equals the volume of the object. For a liquid, find the mass of an empty measuring cylinder, add the liquid, reweigh, and subtract. A strong answer earns marks for these points. marked by levels out of 6, not by separate points: Level 1 = 1-2 marks, Level 2 = 3-4 marks, Level 3 = 5-6 marks for a method that would give a valid outcome with all key steps identified and logically sequenced. credited within the level: measure the mass of the object on a balance. credited within the level: find the volume of a regular object from its measured dimensions, using a ruler, a micrometer or Vernier callipers as the size requires. credited within the level: lower an irregular object until it is fully submerged in a displacement can and collect the water that overflows in a measuring cylinder. Exam tip: Six-mark method answers are marked by levels, so put the steps in a logical order another person could follow.
Key words
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displacement technique
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regular and irregular solids
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measuring instruments
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ρ = m ÷ V
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See every definition
- displacement technique
- A way of finding the volume of an irregularly shaped object by lowering it until it is fully submerged and collecting the water that overflows in a measuring cylinder.
- regular and irregular solids
- Objects whose volume can be found from measured dimensions, and objects whose volume cannot be calculated and so is found by displacement.
- measuring instruments
- Appropriate apparatus such as a ruler, micrometer or Vernier callipers for measuring dimensions, and a balance for measuring mass.
- ρ = m ÷ V
- The equation used to calculate density from the measured mass and volume.
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Test your understanding of Density of materials: Required practical activity 5: use appropriate apparatus to make and record the measurements needed to determine the densities of regular and irregular solid objects and liquids. Volume shoul be determined from the dimensions of regularly shaped objects, and by a displacement technique for irregularly shaped objects. Dimensions to be measured using appropriate apparatus such as a ruler, micrometer or Vernier callipers.
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