To find the density of an object, you divide its mass by its volume.
Density is a fundamental property of matter that describes how much mass is contained in a given volume. It essentially tells you how "compact" a substance is.
Here's the formula:
Density = Mass / Volume
Or, more concisely:
ρ = m / V
Where:
- ρ (rho) is the density (typically in units of kg/m³ or g/cm³)
- m is the mass (typically in units of kilograms (kg) or grams (g))
- V is the volume (typically in units of cubic meters (m³) or cubic centimeters (cm³))
Steps to Calculate Density:
- Determine the Mass: Measure the mass of the object using a balance or scale. Ensure the units are consistent (e.g., grams or kilograms).
- Determine the Volume:
- Regularly Shaped Objects: If the object has a regular shape (e.g., cube, sphere, cylinder), you can calculate the volume using appropriate geometric formulas. For example, the volume of a cube is side side side, and the volume of a cylinder is π radius² height.
- Irregularly Shaped Objects: For irregularly shaped objects, you can use the water displacement method. Submerge the object in a container of water and measure the volume of water displaced. This displaced volume is equal to the volume of the object.
- Divide Mass by Volume: Divide the mass of the object by its volume to find the density.
- Include Units: Make sure to include the correct units for density (e.g., g/cm³ if the mass is in grams and the volume is in cubic centimeters).
Example:
Let's say you have a rock with a mass of 150 grams and a volume of 50 cm³. To find the density:
Density = 150 g / 50 cm³ = 3 g/cm³
Therefore, the density of the rock is 3 grams per cubic centimeter.
In summary, finding density involves accurately measuring the mass and volume of an object and then applying the simple formula: Density = Mass / Volume.
