Mass, Volume, and Density

Vocabulary flashcards from physics lecture notes on mass, volume, and density.

Mass

A measure of the amount of substance in an object.

Volume

The amount of space that a substance or object occupies.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance.

S.I. unit of volume

Cubic meter (m³)

C.G.S. unit of volume

Cubic centimeter (cm³)

S.I. unit of density

Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³)

C.G.S. unit of density

Gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)

Measuring Cylinder

A graduated glass or plastic cylinder used for measuring the volume of liquids.

Measuring Beaker

A beaker used to take out a fixed volume of liquids.

Eureka Can

A container with a spout used to measure the volume of an irregularly shaped solid by displacement.

Displacement Method

A method used to measure the volume of an irregular solid by measuring the volume of liquid it displaces when immersed.

Density Bottle

A small glass bottle with a stopper used for precise measurement of liquid density.

Relative Density

The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water.

Law of Floatation

When a body floats in a liquid the weight of the liquid displaced by its immersed part is equal to the total weight of the body.

Buoyant Force

An upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object.

Iceberg

A large piece of ice floating in the sea.

Swim Bladder

A special organ in whales' bodies which enables them to come to the surface of water or to dive into the sea.