1. What is Density?

Density is a physical property of matter defined as mass per unit volume. It's a fundamental concept in physics and chemistry that helps characterize materials and predict their behavior.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the density formula:

Where:

• \( D \) — Density (g/cm³)
• \( M \) — Mass (g)
• \( V \) — Volume (cm³)

Explanation: The formula shows that density increases with greater mass or smaller volume, and decreases with smaller mass or greater volume.

3. Importance of Density Calculation

Details: Density is crucial for material identification, buoyancy calculations, quality control in manufacturing, and many scientific applications. It helps distinguish between materials with similar appearances but different compositions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in grams and volume in cubic centimeters. Both values must be positive numbers. For accurate results, measure mass and volume precisely.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are common density units?
A: While g/cm³ is common, kg/m³ is the SI unit. 1 g/cm³ equals 1000 kg/m³. Other units include lb/ft³ for imperial measurements.

Q2: What is the density of water?
A: Pure water at 4°C has a density of exactly 1 g/cm³. This serves as a reference point for many density measurements.

Q3: How does temperature affect density?
A: Most substances expand when heated (increasing volume), thus decreasing density. Water is exceptional, being densest at 4°C.

Q4: What does it mean if an object floats?
A: An object floats if its average density is less than the fluid it's in. This is the principle behind ships and hot air balloons.

Q5: How is density used in real-world applications?
A: Density is used in oil exploration, metallurgy, brewing, waste sorting, and even identifying counterfeit coins or precious stones.