Question

activity b: calculating density
materials

• book
• scale
• metric ruler

procedure

1. measure, in centimeters, the length, width, and height of the book.
2. using the formula volume = length × width × height, calculate the volume of the book in cubic centimeters.
3. measure the books mass by weighing it on the scale, and then convert the weight into grams (one pound = 454 grams).
4. calculate the books density using the formula density = mass ÷ volume. your answer should be in grams per cubic centimeter.

test
answer the following questions using the knowledge you have gained in this lesson. use correct terminology and refer to scientific concepts to support your answer whenever possible.

1. explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative observations and give an example of each.
2. explain the relationship between mass, volume, and density. you dont have to give the formulas; just explain things in your own words.
3. what are the three most common states of matter on earth? give an example of each, and explain how they are different.
4. describe the three steps of a scientific argument.
5. what is the difference between an observation and an inference?

learning checklist
this learning checklist can be filled out by either you or the adult who is supervising your work. this checklist will help you keep track of how your skills are progressing and what you need to work on. you or your home teacher can also add notes about where youd like help.

Explanation:

1. Quantitative observations are numerical measurements (e.g., the book's length is 20 cm). Qualitative observations describe qualities (e.g., the book is blue).
2. Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Volume is the space it occupies. Density is how much mass is in a given volume. A denser object has more mass in the same volume.
3. The three common states of matter are solid (e.g., book, has a definite shape and volume), liquid (e.g., water, takes the shape of its container but has a definite volume), and gas (e.g., air, has no definite shape or volume).
4. A scientific argument has three steps: claim (a statement), evidence (data to support the claim), and reasoning (explaining how the evidence supports the claim).
5. An observation is something you notice with your senses. An inference is a conclusion based on observations (e.g., seeing wet ground - observation, inferring it rained - inference).

Answer:

1. Quantitative observations are numerical; e.g., book length 20 cm. Qualitative describe qualities; e.g., book is blue.
2. Mass is amount of matter, volume is space occupied, density is mass per volume. Denser objects have more mass in same volume.
3. Solid (book, definite shape/volume), liquid (water, takes container shape, definite volume), gas (air, no definite shape/volume).
4. Claim (statement), evidence (data), reasoning (how evidence supports claim).
5. Observation is what you sense, inference is conclusion based on it. E.g., wet ground - observation, rained - inference.