Geology+-+Measuring+Rock+Density

**Geologist: Mark Beaton** || =What's this rock?=
 * [[image:P1060739.JPG width="164" height="229" align="center"]]

Let's measure its DENSITY to find out...
The rock on the left has more particles in it so is **more** it has **less density**. ** Each mineral or rock has its own ** If you can work out its density you can identify your rock! || Measuring density is tricky. You can't **see** the particles inside your rock to count them, but if you can work out the ** M **ass (weight) of your rock and its ** V **olume (how much space it takes up), you can do a bit of maths to get its ** D **ensity because....
 * What is DENSITY?**
 * dense** than the rock on the right. It has fewer particles in it -
 * special density. **
 * ==A bit of maths.....==



Because rocks are different shapes and sizes with bits sticking out, measuring volume is tricky. If rocks were all neat cubes it would be much easier! the jar full of water + the rock (the messy bit - water spills out everywhere!) || Jessica filling the jar with water right to the top... || Sliding on the glass cover, making sure the jar is full, then wiping away every tiny bit of water from the outside. You have to be very precise in Science! || Weighing the jar - firstly without the rock, secondly with the rock.... || Doing the maths (with a few extra numbers thrown in relating to the density of water) || Gold's density is always 19.3grams/cubic centimetre If your rock has a different density ... = ... it is NOT GOLD! = ||
 * Mass ** is measured in **grams**.
 * Volume ** is measured in **cubic centimetres**. || [[image:P1200483-1.JPG]]
 * Heaps of wieghing!** An empty jar - the jar full of water -
 * [[image:P1200498-1.JPG]]
 * [[image:P1200488-1.JPG]]
 * [[image:iron_pyrites.jpg width="128" height="133" align="center"]] || =So is this Gold?=