Density Calculator
Density = Mass / Volume
Example:
10 kg / 2 m³ = 5 kg/m³
What is Density?
Density, commonly represented by the Greek letter ρ, is a fundamental property of matter. It is defined as the mass of an object divided by its volume. In equation form, it looks like this:
Density (ρ) = Mass (m) / Volume (V)
Where:
ρ = Density
m = Mass
V = Volume
Calculating density is relatively simple, but it’s crucial to use the correct units in your calculations. The units used for both mass and volume must be consistent to avoid errors. Always include the units when working with density values and perform dimensional analysis to ensure that the final result is accurate and appropriately expressed.
Factors Affecting Density
While density calculations are straightforward, it’s important to consider the impact of temperature and pressure. For solids and liquids, changes in temperature and pressure generally have a minor effect on density. However, gases are more sensitive to these factors.
Pressure: Increasing pressure reduces the volume of a gas and, therefore, increases its density.
Temperature: Increasing temperature usually causes the volume to expand, leading to a decrease in density. One notable exception to this rule is water, whose density increases between 0°C and 4°C.
Common Density Units
Density can be expressed in various units depending on the context. Below is a list of common units used to measure density and their conversions:
| Unit | Conversion Value |
|---|---|
| Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) | SI Unit |
| Kilogram per cubic centimeter (kg/cm³) | 1,000,000 |
| Gram per cubic meter (g/m³) | 0.001 |
| Gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) | 1,000 |
| Kilogram per liter (kg/L) | 1,000 |
| Gram per liter (g/L) | 1 |
| Pound per cubic inch (lb/in³) | 27,680 |
| Pound per cubic foot (lb/ft³) | 16.02 |
| Pound per cubic yard (lb/yd³) | 0.5933 |
| Pound per gallon (US) | 119.83 |
| Pound per gallon (UK) | 99.78 |
| Ounce per cubic inch (oz/in³) | 1,730 |
| Ounce per cubic foot (oz/ft³) | 1.001 |
| Ounce per gallon (US) | 7.489 |
| Ounce per gallon (UK) | 6.236 |
| Ton (short)/cubic yard | 1,186.6 |
| Ton (long)/cubic yard | 1,328.9 |
| PSI per 1000 feet | 2.3067 |
Density of Common Materials
Here are the densities of some common substances for reference:
| Material | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| Earth’s atmosphere at sea level | 1.2 |
| Water at standard temperature and pressure | 1,000 |
| Earth’s average density | 5,515.3 |
| Iron | 7,874 |
| Copper | 8,950 |
| Tungsten | 19,250 |
| Gold | 19,300 |
| Platinum | 21,450 |
| Atomic nuclei | 2.3×10¹⁷ |
| Black hole | > 1×10¹⁸ |
Conclusion
Understanding density is important in various fields, including science, engineering, and everyday life. By using the correct units and considering factors such as temperature and pressure, you can calculate the density of various materials with accuracy. Remember that while solids and liquids experience only minor changes in density due to external factors, gases are much more affected by changes in pressure and temperature.