How do you find the density of a large boulder?

Answer 1

To find the density of a large boulder, you first need to measure its mass using a scale. Next, you need to measure its volume, which can be challenging for irregularly shaped objects like boulders. One way to do this is by using the water displacement method: submerge the boulder in a container of water and measure the volume of water it displaces. Finally, divide the mass of the boulder by its volume to calculate its density in units of mass per unit volume (e.g., grams per cubic centimeter).

Answer 2

Take a good hard look at it and guess it's size. Once you have approximated its size, give it as hefty kick with a stout shoed foot. This will usually give you a rough idea of it's weight. If you don't have feet, punching the boulder, whilst less accurate, will suffice.

Answer 3

The overall density can be estimated if the boulder can be weighed and its volume estimated. Otherwise it is not possible.

You could take a few samples, measure the densities of these samples and average them but that requires you to assume that the boulder is more or less homogeneous. A large boulder, especially if it is sedimentary, may well be heterogeneous. If it is volcanic, it may have pockets of other materials or even air inside. So in either case this method will fail

Answer 4

To find the density of a large boulder, you can weigh the boulder using a scale and then measure its volume using displacement method in water. Divide the weight of the boulder by its volume to calculate the density.