Doing the Math

Calculate the density by understanding the density equation. Density= mass/volume with the unit grams/mL.

Measure the mass of the object that you are going to be using. To do this, lay it on a scientific scale and get the mass in grams.

Measure the volume of the substance in milliliters. To do this, put it in a graduated cylinder filled with water and look at where the meniscus (bottom of the line of water) lines up to.

Write the two numbers down on a piece of paper and then divide the mass by the volume. The answer will come out in some number with the unit g/mL. Water, for example, has a density of 1.0 g/mL.

Doing It Experimentally

Take one substance such as water and have that be your control. The reason for this is because it has a known density of 1.0 g/mL.

Take salt and place it into the water. If the salt sinks to the bottom (which it will), that means that it is more dense than the water.

Take a piece of pinewood and drop that into the water. The pinewood will rest on the top of the water because it is a less dense object than the water is.

Take oil (which one might think is more dense) and dispense it on top of the water. The oil is less dense than the water and, therefore, rests on top. This is one of the reasons it is easier to clean up an oil spill when a tanker crashes.