Density Required Practical

This lesson follows the AQA Combined Science Trilogy specification (spec link: part of 6.3.1.1) or P6.1 in the Kerboodle book, but is also suitable for Separate Science GCSE Physics students.

What’s Included: (26 slides)

• Do now retrieval & thinking task – recap of SI units for mass and volume, and the equipment used to measure them
• Worked examples – step-by-step density calculations for both regular and irregular objects, including converting between units (kg/m³ and g/cm³)
• Numeracy tasks – calculating density from mass and volume, then rearranging the equation to find mass or volume instead
• Sink or float theory – comparing an object’s density to water to predict whether it will sink, float, or suspend, with a mini whiteboard check
• Diagram-based numeracy check – calculating the density of labelled cuboids, with a sink/float extension task
• Required practical methods – measuring the density of a regular object (ruler and balance) and an irregular object (displacement/Eureka can)
• Six mark practice – planning a full investigation to find the density of an irregular object (chess piece), with a model answer
• Common experimental errors – parallax error, taring the balance, and splashing/displacement mistakes
• Tiered practice questions – low, medium, and high demand exam-style questions, including anomalous result analysis
• Homework task – applying density to real-world contexts (steel ships), with mark allocations

Answer slides included for all structured questions and review tasks.

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HAPPY TEACHING!