Density = Mass/Volume

One of the identifying characteristics of a mineral is in the density of the sample.  Sixth graders read earlier in the week that a mineral's density is determined by the kinds of atoms that make up the mineral, as well as how closely the atoms are joined together.

Geologists use special scales to determine the density of minerals.  The sixth graders estimated the density by measuring the mass of a sample mineral on a set of balance scales. They then measured the volume by displacing water.  The density was then computed by dividing the mass by volume.

Student teams tested five samples and then exchanged mineral samples to verify the work of another team.   The samples were placed in greatest to least order according to the number of grams per cubic centimeter.