Question

Density is mass per unit of volume. Which pair of lab instruments would a student use to measure the density of seawater?

Answer 1

Given that density is equal to mass / volume, we should measure the mass and the volume separately then work out the density.

We will therefore use apparatus for measuring mass and volume.

To measure mass we will use a weighing scale.

We will use a weighing scale to measure the mass of the sea water.

To measure the volume of the sea water we will use a measuring cylinder.

Once we get the mass and the volume we can now calculate the density as follows :

Density = mass / Volume

The two apparatus to use are thus a weighing scale and a measuring cylinder.

Answer 2

As it is given in the question, Density is mass per unit volume.

You cannot measure density directly, you must measure mass and volume separately and then measure density.

A balance will measure the mass of the seawater.

Since Seawater is liquid its volume is measured by a calibrated glass container.