Physics: Density of Matter

Definition

• Density is a physical property of matter that is defined as the mass of a substance per unit volume.

Formula

• Density (ρ) = Mass (m) / Volume (V)
• ρ = m / V

Units

• Typically measured in units of mass per unit volume, such as:
  • Grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)
  • Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)

Density of Common Substances

• Water: approximately 1 g/cm³
• Air: approximately 1.2 kg/m³
• Iron: approximately 7.9 g/cm³
• Gold: approximately 19.3 g/cm³

Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Density

• Density of a substance can change with changes in temperature and pressure
• Generally, density decreases with increasing temperature and increases with increasing pressure

Importance of Density

• Density is an important property in many fields, including:
  • Physics and chemistry: understanding density is crucial for understanding physical and chemical properties of substances
  • Engineering: density is important in designing structures, materials, and systems
  • Biology: density is important in understanding the behavior of living organisms and biological systems

Definition and Formula

• Density is defined as the mass of a substance per unit volume
• Formula: Density (ρ) = Mass (m) / Volume (V), or ρ = m / V

Units of Measurement

• Typically measured in units of mass per unit volume
• Common units include grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) and kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)

Densities of Common Substances

• Water: approximately 1 g/cm³
• Air: approximately 1.2 kg/m³
• Iron: approximately 7.9 g/cm³
• Gold: approximately 19.3 g/cm³

Effects of Temperature and Pressure

• Density of a substance changes with changes in temperature and pressure
• Density generally decreases with increasing temperature
• Density generally increases with increasing pressure

Importance of Density

Physics and Chemistry

• Understanding density is crucial for understanding physical and chemical properties of substances

Engineering

• Density is important in designing structures, materials, and systems

Biology

• Density is important in understanding the behavior of living organisms and biological systems

Learn about density, its formula, units, and values for common substances like water, air, iron, and gold.