What is density?

1 Answer
Meave60 · Dwayne M. · mrpauller.weebly.com · David Y.
Nov 10, 2014

Density is the mass per unit of volume of a substance.

Explanation:

Density measures the compactness in molecular arrangement in any substance which determines how heavy or light any substance is.

The density formula is density = massvolume. Mass units are most commonly grams or kilograms. Volume units are most commonly cubic centimeters (cm3), cubic meters (m3), or millileters (mL).

Examples of density include the following:

The density of water at 4oC can be written as 1.000g/cm3, 1.000g/mL, 1000Kg/m3, and 1.000kg/L.

The density of iron at 0oC is 7.874g/cm3 and 7874kg/m3.

The density of sodium metal at 0oC is 0.968g/cm3, and 968kg/m3.

In order to determine the density of a substance, you need to know its mass and its volume. Then divide its mass by its volume, remembering to divide the units as well.

Example
A 1.26cm3 sample of the element mercury has a mass of 17.05g. What is it's density?

Solution

density = massvolume = 17.05g1.26cm3 =

13.5g/cm3

Here is a video example of how to solve a density problem.

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