Our work today uses the concepts of mass and volume from lesson 4 and connects them into a formula used to describe a physical property of matter: density. We can calculate density using the equation density = mass / volume. Students should come away with an understanding of what density is and how it can be used to provide evidence in support of the identity of a substance. Students should also recognize the limitations of density in making such a determination.
We will begin the lesson with the ChemCatalyst from the Lesson 05 PowerPoint. Students will learn the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic properties of matter, and then they will work in pairs to complete the Lesson 05 Student Worksheet. Students who complete the worksheet will have the remainder of the class period to practice calculating the densities of various materials.
Notes from class:
Homework for this evening:
- Work through the homework problems at the end of Lesson 5 and then verify accuracy with the Lesson 05 Homework Answers.
- Write notes for Lesson 5 on the Chapter 01 Notes handout.
- Come to class tomorrow prepared to ask questions about anything of the homework problems from lesson 5 you did not understand.
- Continue working on the Chapter 1 Study Guide.
Extend Your Learning!
According to Ptable.com, the density of gold is 19,300 kg/m³. According to your textbook, the density of gold is 19.3 g/cm³. Use dimensional analysis to connect the densities, given that there are 1,000 grams in 1 kilogram (1,000 g = 1 kg) and 1,000,000 cm³ in 1 m³. The video below can help you through the process:
The Art of Science 
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