CAIE IGCSE Physics Density Question Bank

Practise density calculations, unit conversions and laboratory measurement for liquids and solids, then compare densities to predict layering, floating or sinking.

Exam points

rearrange ρ = m/V and convert mass or volume units before calculating the required quantity
obtain mass with a balance and volume from dimensions, a cylinder or water displacement
compare object and fluid densities to predict sinking, floating or the order of liquid layers

Covered syllabus points

1.4.1—Density as mass per unit volume 1.4.2—To determine the density of a liquid 1.4.3—Whether an object floats based on 1.4.4—Whether one liquid will float on

[Maximum number: 3]

All the sides of a plastic cube are 8.0 cm long. Fig. 3.1 shows the cube.

Fig. 3.1 (not to scale)

The mass of the cube is 0.44 kg .

(a)

Calculate the density of the plastic from which the cube is made.
density =

[ 2 ]

d=m / V OR in words OR $0.44 / 0.080^{3}$ OR $0.44 / 5.12 \times 10^{-4}$ OR $440 / 8^{3}$ OR 440 / 512 OR $0.44 / 8^{3}$ OR 0.44 / 512

C1

$0.86 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$ OR $860 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3}$ OR $8.6 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$

A1

(b)

The density of one type of oil is $850 \mathrm{~kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3}$ .

State and explain whether the cube floats or sinks when placed in a container of this oil.

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 7]

(a)

Oil of density $0.80 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$ is poured gently onto the surface of water of density $1.0 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$ . The oil and the water do not mix.

Describe and explain the final position of the oil relative to the water.
description
explanation

[ 2 ]

(b)

An irregularly shaped solid object has a density of $2.7 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}$ .

[ 5 ]

(i)

Describe a method to measure the volume of the irregularly shaped solid object.

[ 2 ]

(ii)

The volume of the object is $83 \mathrm{~cm}^{3}$ .

Calculate the mass of the object.

mass =............................................................

[ 3 ]

220 g

A3

$\rho=m / V$ OR $(m=) \rho V$ OR $2.7 \times 83$

C1

( m= ) $2.7 \times 83$ OR $2.2 \times 10^{n}$

C1

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

1.4 Density question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

1.4 Density question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)