Chapter 3

CRITICAL THINKING/PROBLEM SOLVING

DENSITY GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING


As scientists investigate the relationships among measured quantities, they often use graphs to help them identify patterns or trends among the variables being studied. You will conduct such an investigation through the use of the volume and mass data provided below for three pure substances A, B, and C at constant temperature.

1. Using the graph grid, plot a graph for the three. substances A, B, and c. Plot volume on the x-axis and mass on the y-axis.

Substance Volume (cm3) Mass (g)
A
0.50
3.00
5.50
0.25
1.50
2.75
B
1.50
3.25
4.50
1.50
3.25
4.50
C
0.50
1.50
2.00
1.25
3.75
5.00


2. What kind of relationship between the variables of volume and mass is indicated by the graphs? Explain your answer.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Refer to the graphs you have plotted to fill in the missing volume or mass values in the table shown below.

 

Substance Volume (cm3) Mass (g)
A 2.00  
    2.50
B   2.75
  5.50  
C 1.00  
    6.25


4. Determine the slope of each graph and calculate the density of each substance. How do the slopes and densities compare? Explain your answer.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

REVIEW