Density is calculated by dividing an object's mass by its volume.
Here's a breakdown:
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Density Definition: Density is a fundamental property of matter that describes how much mass is packed into a given volume. It's a measure of how tightly the matter is crammed together.
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The Formula: The formula for calculating density is:
Density = Mass / Volume
orρ = m/V
Where:
- ρ (rho) represents density
- m represents mass (typically measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg))
- V represents volume (typically measured in cubic centimeters (cm³) or cubic meters (m³))
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Units of Density: Common units of density include:
- grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)
- kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)
- grams per milliliter (g/mL) - Note: 1 cm³ = 1 mL
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Example: If a rock has a mass of 100 grams and a volume of 50 cm³, its density would be:
Density = 100 g / 50 cm³ = 2 g/cm³
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Importance of Density: Density is crucial in various fields, including:
- Physics: Understanding the behavior of materials.
- Chemistry: Identifying substances and determining purity.
- Engineering: Designing structures and machines.
- Geology: Studying rocks and minerals.
In short, density is a measure of how much 'stuff' is in a given space and it is found by dividing the mass of an object by its volume.