Density
A number of techniques as well as standards exist for the measurement of density of materials. Such techniques include the use of a hydrometer (a buoyancy method for liquids), Hydrostatic balance (a buoyancy method for liquids and solids), immersed body method (a buoyancy method for liquids), pycnometer (liquids and solids), air comparison pycnometer (solids), oscillating densitometer (liquids), as well as pour and tap (solids). However, each individual method or technique measures different types of density (e.g. bulk density, skeletal density, etc.), and therefore it is necessary to have an understanding of the type of density being measured as well as the type of material in question.
Flotation of flexible objects
Consider two plates of infinite width, thickness formula_2, and length formula_3 that are connected by a torsional spring with spring constant per unit width formula_4. Furthermore, let formula_5 be the angle between a plate and the horizontal, and formula_6 the from where the meniscus meets the plate to the horizontal. The distance from the undisturbed water line to the plate's outer edge is formula_7. The density of water is formula_8, the density of air is considered negligible, and the plate density, formula_9, shall be varied. All systems naturally assume a configuration that minimizes total energy. Thus, the goal of this analysis is to identify the configurations (i.e., values of formula_7 and formula_5) that result in a stable equilibrium for a given value of formula_9.