Give the reasons for the following

1. Density is defined as the mass of a substance present in a given volume. It is the basic
characteristic of a substance that explains the relationship between its mass and volume.
The density of an object remains the same irrespective of its shape and size.

2. For the degree of accuracy with which the volume must be measured, more specialized
measuring vessel is used.

3. The relative density (RD) of a substance is the density of that substance compared to the
density of water. It tells us how dense an object is when compared with water.
Because it is a ratio, RD remains the same.
For example,
density of iron = 7870 kg/m³
Density of water = 1000 kg/m³
Hence,
RD of iron = 7870 kg/m³ /1000 kg/m³ = 7.87 kg/m³
In CGS system,
density of iron =7.870 g/cm³
Density of water = 1 g/cm³
RD of iron = 17.870 g/cm³/ 1 g/cm³
Hence, RD of iron = 7.8 g/cm³

4. A nail sinks in water because it is denser than water. It can float on mercury as mercury is
denser than iron.

5. Swimming in sea water is easier than in fresh water because sea water provides a greater
upthrust as compared to fresh water. This is because the density of sea water, which is
saline, is higher than the density of fresh water.

6. In gases, the molecules move at high speeds with large spaces between each other. They
can take any shape and volume. Hence, gases have the least density.

7. The density of sea water, which is saline, is higher than the density of fresh water. So
when a ship enters sea water from fresh water it sinks less as sea water being dense has
more upthrust.

Distinguish between the following -

1. Mass and density
● Mass is the amount of matter contained in an object. It SI unit is kg.
● Density is Mass per unit volume.
● Its SI uni is kg/m³
● Even though mass of an object changes as size or shape changes, the density does
not change irrespective of size or shape.

2. Volume and density

● Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object.
● Its Sl unit is m³.
 ● Volume of an object can change according to its size and shape.

3. Density of solids and density of liquid

● In solids, the molecules are packed closely together.
● Solids are so compact that their shape and volume are fixed. So, any substance in
solid state is the most dense.
● In liquids, molecules are less tightly packed
● it can slide past each other to take the shape of the container they are poured in. So,
liquids are less denser than solids.

4. Density and relative density

● Density is defined as the mass of a substance present in a given volume.
● Its SI unit is kg/m³.
● It determines how tightly the molecules of an object are packed into a given amount
of space.
● Relative density (RD) of a substance is the density of that substance compared to the
density of water.
● It has no unit as it is a ratio.
● It tells us how dense an object is when water.

5. Sinking and floating

● If an object is less dense than the fluid in which it is placed it will float on the fluid, if it
is more dense than the fluid it will sink
● . Wood floats on water because it is less dense, whereas a steel pin sinks because it
is denser than water. A nail sinks in water because it is denser than water. It can float
on mercury as mercury is denser than iron.

H. Short answer type questions

1. Density is defined as the mass of a substance present in a given volume. It is the basic
characteristic of a substance that explains the relationship between its mass and volume. It
determines how tightly the molecules of an object are packed into a given amount of space.

2. The maximum volume of a liquid that can be stored in a container is called the capacity of
the container. That is, if the capacity of a beaker is 100 mL, it means that it can contain any
volume of a liquid up to 100 mL

3. If it is a convex meniscus, the reading should be taken at the top of the meniscus. To
avoid parallax error, the reading should always be taken at eye level

4. To calculate the density of a gas, take a flask whose volume is known. Let it be V.
Measure its mass. Let it be m,. Remove the air inside it using a vacuum pump and fill in the
gas whose density is to be measured. Measure its mass again.
Let it be M2
. The density of the gas by using the formula will be
Density (D) = mass (m) / volume (V)
= m2 - M1 / V
5. You can compare your height with your friend and say whether you are taller or shorter
with respect to her/him. Similarly, relative density (RD) of a substance is the density of that
substance compared to the density of water. It tells us how dense an object is when
compared with water.

6. If an object is less dense than the fluid in which it is placed it will float on the fluid, if it is
more dense than the fluid it will sink.

7. The upward force applied by the fluid on the object when an object is either totally or
partially submerged in a fluid is called buoyant force or upthrust. The buoyant force depends
on density of the liquid and volume of the object immersed in the liquid.
The denser the fluid, the greater the buoyancy effect of the fluid. Also, larger the volume of
the body submerged in the liquid, greater is the upthrust.

8. A submarine has a constant volume but it can vary its average mass by taking in water
into its ballast tanks. When water is filled in the tank replacing the air, the average mass and
thus average density of the submarine increases. This allows it to submerge into the ocean
depths. On the contrary, when water is released from the ballast tanks the submarine's
density decreases allowing it to surface.

9. When air gets heated, it expands. Its density decreases and rises up and cold air takes its
place. This process is called convection.

I. Long answer type questions

1. Take a bag and fill it with sand until it weighs 500 g. Now, take some newspaper in a
similar bag and weigh out exactly 500 g. You will notice that the newspaper has more
volume than sand for the same mass
The molecules of some substances are packed tightly with each other, while in others, they
are less tightly (or loosely) packed. This property of the material which tells us how much
mass has been packed into a certain amount of space is called density. The substances in
which the molecules are closely packed are called dense substances.
Here sand is denser than newspaper.

2. To find the density of an irregular solid, first find its mass and volume.
To find the mass of the solid, we can use a physical balance. Let us say that the mass is m
To find the volume of the solid, we can use a Eureka can. It is a can with a spout near the
top. Fill the Eureka can with water until the water starts to flow out of the spout. Take an
empty beaker, measure its mass (say it is m₁), and place it below the spout of the can. Use
a string to tie the solid, and gently lower it into the Eureka can. Ensure that the solid is fully
submerged. Water will flow out of the can into the beaker. Measure the mass of the beaker
again (say it is now m₂).
The mass of the water in the beaker will be m₂-m1

To convert the mass of water into volume, we need to use the formula
Density (D) = Mass (M) / Volume (V) or
Volume (V) = Mass (M) / Density (D)
The density of water is 1 g/cm³ (in CGS system) so the volume of the water in the beaker will
be Volume (V) = m₂-m1 / 1
You could find the volume of the solid directly by pouring the water that overflowed into a
measuring cylinder. To find the density of the irregular solid, we divide the mass of the solid
(m) by its volume (mm). So, the density of the solid will be = m / m₂-m1

3. Take a graduated cylinder and find its mass. Let it be m,. Fill the cylinder with the liquid
and measure the volume. Let it be V. Measure the mass of the cylinder again after filling the
liquid. Let it be my The mass of the liquid will be m₂-m1, and volume of the liquid will be V
cm³ as 1 mL = 1 cm³. Now, determine the density by using the following formula
Density (D) = Mass (m) / Volume (V)
= m2-m1 / V

4. A density bottle is used to measure the density and relative density of a liquid. To find the
volume of a liquid, the mass of the bottle is measured when dry and empty Let it be m₁. The
liquid whose density is to be determined is poured into the bottle. The stopper is then
inserted causing the liquid to overflow. The bottle is dried up using blotting paper. The mass
of the liquid and the bottle together is measured. Let it be my. The volume of the liquid in the
bottle is the volume of the bottle itself. Let it be V. Now, the density can be calculated using
the formula
m2-m1 / V.

5. Generally, the density of solids is more than the density of liquids. And the density of
liquids is more than the density of gases, Mercury (which is a metal in liquid state at room
temperature) is denser than all other liquids.
In solids, the molecules are packed closely together. Solids are so compact that their shape
and volume are fixed. So, any substance in solid state is the most dense.
In liquids, molecules are less tightly packed and can slide past each other to take the shape
of the container they are poured in. So, liquids are less denser than solids.
In gases, the molecules move at high speeds with large spaces between each other. They
can take any shape and volume. Hence, gases have the least density.

6. When air gets heated, it expands. Its density decreases and rises up and cold air takes its
place. This process is called convection. Hot air inside the balloon makes it lighter than the
cooler air on the outside. This causes the balloon to float upwards. When the air inside the
balloon cools down, it becomes denser and the balloon begins to come down slowly.