Grade 8 Science
Chapter 8 Notes
Mass the amount of matter an object has.
- does not mean weight
- measured in grams (g)
Weight the measure of the force of gravity acting on the mass of an object.
- measured in Newtons (N)
- Ex: you would weigh a different amount on the Moon vs on Earth, but your mass would be
the same. This is due to the different gravitational pull of the Moon.
Volume the amount of space taken up by an object or substance.
Density the amount of mass in a certain volume; how tightly packed together the
material in a substance is.
Ex: Oil will float on water because it is less dense.
States of Matter and Density
- In general the particles in a solid are more tightly packed than in a liquid and the
particles in a liquid are more tightly packed than in a gas.
Most Dense Least Dense
Solid Liquid Gas
Determining Density
1. Determine the Mass
(a) Of a regularly shaped solid
Use a balance to measure the mass of the substance or object.
(b) Of an irregularly shaped solid
Use a balance to measure the mass of the substance or object.
(c) Of a liquid
First place the empty beaker on the balance and record the mass.
Pour the liquid into the beaker and check the mass of the beaker plus liquid.
Subtract the mass of the beaker to get the mass of just the liquid.
2. Determine the Volume
(a) Of a regularly shaped solid
Use mathematical formulas to determine the volume.
Ex: Volume of a rectangular prism is V = lxwxh
o Volume of a cylinder is 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 × ℎ
(b) Of an irregularly shaped solid
Fill a beaker or an overflow can with water.
Put the object into the beaker
The amount of water that flows out of the overflow can is equal to the volume of
the object.
If using a beaker, note the level at which the water reaches on the side of the
beaker.
This is also called Displacement.
(c) Of a liquid
Look at the side of the beaker to determine the volume.
Calculating Density
Use the Formula triangle to help determine your formulas:
Density = Mass
Volume M
Volume = Mass
Density D V
Mass = Density x Volume
Ex1: Find the density of a 10g mass of a substance that has a volume of 2.0 cm3.
Ex2: You want to put 10.0 g of salt into a container. What is the volume of a container if
the salt completely fills it? The density of salt is 2.16 g/cm3.
Ex3: What is the mass of 1500 mL of helium which has a density of 0.0002 g/mL?
Temperature and Density
As the temperature of a substance increases the particles of the substance move
faster and take up more space.
Therefore, there are les particles in a given area. The density will decrease.
* Temperature increases – Density decreases
* Temperature decreases – Density increases
Most substances are denser in solid and liquid form than in gaseous form.
* Water is an exception
o When water freezes it expands due to its molecular structure.
o The volume therefore increases and since the mass stays the same, the
density decreases.
o This is why ice floats in water.
