An example of a density number is 1 gram per cubic centimetre, which is the density of water.
Density is a fundamental property of matter that describes how much mass is packed into a given volume. It's calculated using the formula:
d = M/V
Where:
- d = density
- M = mass
- V = volume
The result is typically expressed in units of grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³), although other units can be used depending on the scale and application.
Examples of Density Numbers
Here are some additional examples to illustrate density:
- Water: As mentioned, the density of water is 1 g/cm³.
- Earth: The Earth's average density is approximately 5.51 g/cm³. This is much higher than water due to the dense iron core and rocky composition of the planet.
- Iron: Iron has a density of about 7.87 g/cm³, which is why it sinks in water.
- Aluminum: Aluminum has a density of approximately 2.7 g/cm³, making it lighter than iron.
- Wood: The density of wood varies greatly depending on the type, but generally, it's less than water, allowing many types of wood to float. For example, pine is around 0.4-0.5 g/cm³.
Understanding Density
- Density can help identify substances.
- It determines whether an object will float or sink in a fluid.
- Density is affected by temperature and pressure.
| Substance | Approximate Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|
| Water | 1 |
| Earth | 5.51 |
| Iron | 7.87 |
| Aluminum | 2.7 |
| Pine Wood | 0.4 - 0.5 |
Understanding density is important in various scientific fields and daily life, from material science to cooking. The density number gives us a clear idea of how much matter is present in a particular space. As noted in the reference, density is commonly expressed in grams per cubic centimeter, allowing for easy comparisons between different substances.
