Tools:
* Scale: To measure the mass of the rock.
* Graduated Cylinder: To measure the volume of the rock.
* Water: To displace and measure the volume of the rock.
Steps:
1. Measure the mass: Place the rock on the scale and record its mass in grams.
2. Measure the volume:
* For irregularly shaped rocks: Fill the graduated cylinder with a known volume of water (e.g., 50 ml). Carefully drop the rock into the cylinder, making sure it's fully submerged. Note the new water level. The difference between the initial and final water levels represents the volume of the rock.
* For regularly shaped rocks: You can calculate the volume directly using the appropriate formula (e.g., volume of a cube = side x side x side).
3. Calculate the density: Divide the mass of the rock by its volume. Density is usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
Formula:
Density = Mass / Volume
Example:
* Mass of rock = 100 grams
* Volume of rock = 25 cm³
Density = 100 grams / 25 cm³ = 4 g/cm³
