8th Grade Physical Science Curriculum Unit 1: Density and Buoyancy Lesson 3a: Exploration; What is Volume Anyway? How do we measure the volume of solid objects? Student Outcomes Students will learn to apply simple mathematical relationships to determine density from their measurement of mass and volume. Key Questions: · How do we measure the volume of a solid object? · How can we calculate density? Overview To challenge students to measure the mass and volume of three dimensional objects, and use these measurements to determine their density. By starting with regular rectangular prisms, we can show the meaning of a "cubic centimeter," which is equal to a milliliter. Time Required: 45 minutes Materials: For each group of 4 students: Balance, metric ruler A variety of objects that are rectangular prisms, such as a videocassette, a book, a block of wood, a CD jewel case. Textbook Reference: pages 446 to 452 (Alternate activity: p. 83; Sharpen Your Skills) Assessment: Student data and calculations of density. OUSD/Calif. Science Content Standards: 1e; constructing graphs,(Calif. # 8.9e) 1f; mathematical relationships (Calif. # 8.9f) 5a; density (Calif. 8.8a) 5b; calculating density (Calif. 8.8b) Procedure: Have students make this table in their notebook, including a prediction if each would float or sink in water.  Object  Length  Width  Height  Mass  Volume  Density  Float?  book  15 cm  22 cm  5 cm  420 g  1650 cc  .25 g/cc   yes                                 Unit 1 Home