1. What is Density?

Density is a fundamental physical property of matter that describes how much mass is contained in a given volume. It's a characteristic property of substances that helps identify materials and predict their behavior.

2. The Density Formula

The density formula is:

Where:

• \( \rho \) (rho) — Density (g/cm³)
• \( m \) — Mass (grams)
• \( V \) — Volume (cubic centimeters)

Explanation: Density increases when mass increases (for constant volume) or when volume decreases (for constant mass).

3. Importance of Density Calculation

Details: Density calculations are essential in chemistry, physics, engineering, and materials science for identifying substances, determining purity, and designing systems where buoyancy or material properties are important.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in grams and volume in cubic centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers. For best accuracy, measure mass using a calibrated balance and volume using precise measuring tools.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical density values for common materials?
A: Water: ~1 g/cm³, gold: ~19.3 g/cm³, aluminum: ~2.7 g/cm³, air: ~0.0012 g/cm³.

Q2: How does temperature affect density?
A: Generally, substances expand when heated (increasing volume), so density decreases with temperature increase for most materials.

Q3: What's the difference between density and specific gravity?
A: Specific gravity is density relative to water (dimensionless), while density has units of mass/volume.

Q4: How do you measure volume for irregular objects?
A: Use water displacement method - measure water volume before and after submerging the object.

Q5: Why do some objects float while others sink?
A: Objects float if their average density is less than the fluid they're in (e.g., ships float because their hollow structure creates low average density).