The hypsometric curve - examining the causes of elevation variation on Earth.Rocks - determining the name and composition of a rock by its density.Minerals - determining the name of a mineral through its density.Plate tectonics - mechanisms that drive plate tectonics.Isostasy - determining how high continents will sit on the mantle.Have you ever noticed in a lake or the ocean that water is warmer at the surface and colder at the bottom? This is because the warmer water is slightly less dense and, as a result, floats on the denser, colder water.Have you wondered why hot air balloons rise? When the air is heated, it becomes less dense until the balloon's total density is less than that of the atmosphere A hot air balloon is literally floating on the denser, colder air.Here are some examples of how this explains everyday occurrences: Less dense substances will float on (or rise through) more dense substances. One of the most critical is that the density of a substance will determine if it will float on another. Why should I calculate density or specific gravity?ĭensities are critical for many uses. So we divide the basalt (210 lbs/ft 3) by the density of water (62.4 lbs/ft 3), and get S.G.= 3.37. For density, you also need to consider the size, or volume, of the object. A very large sponge may weigh a lot (have a high mass), but its density is low because it still weighs very little per unit of volume. The words heavy and light on their own refer to mass, and not density. Students, and even teachers, often confuse mass and density. If you pick up an iron skillet, you expect it to be heavy. You are not surprised when a large sponge is easy to lift. ![]() For example, sponges are low in density they have a low mass per unit volume. You probably have an intuitive feeling for density in the materials you use often. For example, gold will always have a density of 19.3 g/cm 3 if a mineral has a density other than that, it isn't gold. It is used quite often in identifying rocks and minerals since the density of substances rarely changes significantly. ![]() Density is a fundamental concept in the sciences you will see it throughout your studies.
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