Understanding Density Formula

Density Formula

• Density is a ratio of an object's mass to its volume
• Mass is a measurement of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in grams or kilograms
• Volume is a measurement of the amount of space occupied by matter, measured in units such as milliliters, liters, cubic centimeters, and cubic meters

What Does Density Measure?

• Density measures how closely the mass of matter is compacted
• Higher density means the mass is more compacted in relation to the amount of volume occupied
• Lower density means the mass is less compacted in relation to the amount of volume occupied

How to Calculate Density

• Density is calculated using the formula: density = mass / volume
• To calculate density, first calculate the volume of the object using the equation: volume = length x width x height
• Then, measure the mass using a scale and complete the calculation of density

Examples of Calculating Density

• For a solid: calculate volume using length x width x height, then use density = mass / volume
• For a liquid: measure mass using a scale and volume using a graduated cylinder, then use density = mass / volume
• For a gas: measure mass using a scale and volume using the container size, then use density = mass / volume

Density Units

• Density can be calculated using any unit of mass and volume, leading to many acceptable units
• Common units for mass include grams and kilograms, while volume units can include milliliters, liters, cubic centimeters, and cubic meters
• Conversions between units include:
  • 1 ml = 1 cm³
  • 1000 ml = 1 L
  • 1 L = 1000 cm³
  • 1 m³ = 1000 L

Density Formula Examples

• Example 1: calculate density of an object with a mass of 8000 grams and a volume of 3000 liters
• Example 2: calculate density of a liquid with a mass of 25 grams and a volume of 10 ml
• Example 3: calculate density of a gas with a mass of 1.4 kg and a volume of 15 m³