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S5
Activity #1: Calculate and Compare Density
Visualizing and Describing The Science of Totally Trebuchet
In this exercise we will use some of what we know about mass, volume and density to compute
and compare the density of the 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) diameter lead counterweight and wood sphere
found in the GEARS Totally Trebuchet Kit.
Materials
Balance Scale 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) lead counterweight and wood sphere. Calculator
Procedure
1. Record the mass of the spheres. This refers to using the gram scale to measure the mass
of the spheres.
_____________ Mass of 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) lead sphere
_____________ Mass of 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) wood sphere
2. Determine the volume of the spheres. You can assume that both spheres are equal and
their diameters are 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm). *
3
ʌR
3
4
SphereaofVolume
_____________ Volume of 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) lead sphere
Example Material Densities
Aluminum 2.7 g/cm
3
_____Mass
Steel 7.84 g/cm
3
_____Mass
Copper 8.85 g/cm
3
_____Mass
Gold 19.32 g/cm
3
_____Mass
Titanium 4.5 g/cm
3
_____Mass
Polycarbonate 1.3 g/cm
3
_____Mass
Wood (Maple) _______ _____Mass
Lead _______ _____Mass
_____________ Volume of 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) wood sphere
3. Calculate the densities of the spheres.
Volume
Mass
Density
_____________
Density of 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) lead sphere
_____________
Density of 1-1/2Ǝ (38mm) wood (Maple)
sphere
4. Calculate the mass of a 1-1/2Ǝ
(38mm) sphere made from the materials in the chart above.
Complete the chart by adding the information in the blank areas.
* If you have dial calipers and experience using them, you can make accurate measures of the respective diameters
of the wood and lead spheres in order to make a more accurate determination of their respective volumes.
Sample Science Curriculum