How can you determine the density of an irregular object?

• A. Measure mass, measure volume by water displacement, then density = mass/volume
• B. Weigh object underwater
• C. Estimate volume by measuring dimensions
• D. Use Archimedes principle using buoyant force

Answer: (A)

To find the density of an irregular object, you need its mass and its volume. For an irregular shape, you can’t easily measure volume with dimensions, so you determine volume by water displacement: fill a graduated cylinder with a known amount of water, submerge the object, and note the new water level—the difference is the object's volume. Weigh the object to get its mass, then divide the mass by the volume to get density. Using common lab units, mass is in grams and volume in milliliters (which equals cubic centimeters), so density ends up in g/cm^3. This method directly ties mass and volume together to reveal how tightly matter is packed in the object. Remember, density indicates buoyancy: objects with density greater than water sink, while those with less density float.