You convert density by multiplying or dividing by a factor of 1,000, depending on the units you are converting between.
Density is a measure of mass per unit volume, and it is often expressed in units of kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). To convert between these two units, we use the following relationship:
Density Conversion Factors
| Conversion | Operation | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| kg/m³ to g/cm³ | Divide | 1,000 |
| g/cm³ to kg/m³ | Multiply | 1,000 |
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Converting from kg/m³ to g/cm³:
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Divide the value in kg/m³ by 1,000.
- Example: 2,500 kg/m³ is equal to 2,500 / 1,000 = 2.5 g/cm³
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Converting from g/cm³ to kg/m³:
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Multiply the value in g/cm³ by 1,000.
- Example: 1.2 g/cm³ is equal to 1.2 * 1,000 = 1,200 kg/m³
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This conversion is necessary because 1 cubic meter contains 1,000,000 cubic centimeters, and 1 kilogram contains 1,000 grams. Therefore, the relation between the units becomes 1 kg/m³ = 1/1000 g/cm³ and 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³.
Practical Insights
- Understanding density conversion is essential in physics, engineering, and chemistry.
- When dealing with very small or very large densities, using scientific notation can be helpful.
