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Copper density

I'm a grade seven student. I was asked to do an assignment about a solid I measured the DENSITY of. I chose copper. I was supposed to find out its uses and how it's DENSITY is a factor in its practical use.

Alex C.
student - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2004

I am confused on a question for a science project. The question is: How is Copper's density a factor in its practical use?

Kali D.
Student - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
2004

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One area in which the density of copper is a factor is construction/roofing. In fact, a common method of specifying the thickness of copper foil is in weight/unit area (oz/sq ft). The density of copper in this case will limit the thickness of copper you can use on the roof, for example.

Another case where the density of copper may be a factor is in electrical cables. You would like to use copper for its electrical conductivity, but for some applications you might have to go with another metal (aluminum) because of the weight.

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
2004

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2004

Density is measured by grams per cubic centimeter or milliliter. That means the mass of matter over its volume. So first you want to mass a sample of copper. Use a balance to do this.

Next, fill up a graduated cylinder to 50 mL of water (or just to an arbitrary amount. If you do this, make your face level with the cylinder and record the amount of water that is in the cylinder by looking at where the water "bends."). Write this number down, and then drop the sample of copper into the cylinder. Record the amount of water in the cylinder now. Subtract the original amount of water from the new level to find the volume.

Now simply divide the volume by the mass to get the density (x g/mL).

Trace Jackson
- Jacksonville, Florida

I was doing a science project and we were supposed to answer a question about what "Copper" looks like and what the density was. I couldn't figure out what density was..please help!

Miranda K.
- Quakertown, Pennsylvania
2005