Created By : Naaz Fatima

Reviewed By : Phani Ponnapalli

Last Updated : May 08, 2023


The density of a substance can be determined fast and easily with our online Density Calculator. To get the output right away, simply enter the mass and volume of the substance in the designated input sections and press the calculate button next to the input fields.

Weight/Mass
Volume

What is Density?

In scientific terminology, density refers to an object's mass per unit volume. It's also known as the density of a substance. When computing a density from a mass and volume number, keep in mind that density is impacted by pressure and temperature, especially in the case of gases. The mass per unit volume of a material is determined by its density, which is usually symbolized by the Greek sign ρ.

Density Formula

The formula to calculate density is given as follows

ρ = m/v

  • Where ρ = density
  • m = mass
  • v = volume

The formula for calculating density is simple. Therefore, it is critical to pay close attention to the units employed in density calculations. There are many different ways to describe density, and if you don't use or convert it into the right units, you'll get the wrong answer. It's a good idea to write down all of the numbers you're working with, including units, and then do a dimensional analysis to make sure the end output has the right units.

It's important to note that pressure and temperature have an impact on density. The density of solids and liquids normally changes very little. When it comes to gases, however, temperature and pressure have a significant impact on density. When pressure rises, volume falls and density always rises. Temperature increases tend to reduce density since the volume will normally increase. There are exceptions, such as when the density of water increases between 0°C and 4°C.

How to Determine Density of a Substance?

Follow the procedure below to determine the density.

  • Calculate a substance's mass and volume.
  • The division of mass and volume is defined as density.
  • To get the result, substitute the given values into the density formula.

Using density and volume to calculate the mass: Simply alter the structure of the overall density formula to calculate mass. Multiply your density number by your volume number to get the following result: m = ρ x V

Using mass and density to determine the volume: Rearrange the density formula's structure to divide your mass number by your density number to calculate volume: V = m / ρ

Real Life Examples of Density

  • In real life, there are many examples of relative density or the difference in densities between distinct substances.
  • Oil is less dense than water; it rises to the surface in an oil spill in the ocean, resulting in an oil slick on the ocean's surface.
  • A Styrofoam cup is less dense than a ceramic cup; the former will float while the latter will sink in water.
  • Helium balloons float because helium has a lower density than the air around it. The balloon sinks as the helium escapes and is replaced by air.
  • Due to lesser density, oil floats on vinegar.

Examples on Finding Density

Question 1: A concrete block weighing 2358 kg has a volume of 1.41 m^3. What is the density of the block?

Solution:

Given: m = 2358 Kg

v = 1.41 m3

Density = Mass / Volume = 2358 / 1.41

= 1672.3 Kg/m3

Question 2: You have a rock with a volume of 20 cm^3 and a mass of 50 g. What is its density?

Solution:

Given: m = 50g

v = 20 cm3

Density = Mass / Volume = 50 / 20

= 2.5 g/cm3

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FAQs on Density Calculator

1. What is density?

A material's density is the amount of mass it possesses per unit volume. If two materials have the same volume, a material with a higher density will weigh more.


2. What is the density formula?

The mass of an object divided by its volume is the formula for density. That's d = m/v in equation form, where d is the density, m is the mass, and v is the object's volume. kg/m^3 is the standard unit.


3. Which planet has the lowest density?

Saturn has the lowest density among the eight planets in the Solar System, with 687 kg/m^3. This is a fraction of the density of water, which is 1,000 kg/m^3. Saturn would float if it were placed in a body of water!


4. In millilitres, how do you write density?

Densities of most solids and liquids are commonly given in grammes per cubic centimetre (g/cm^3). Density units can alternatively be expressed as g/mL because a cubic centimetre equals a millilitre. Because gases are substantially less dense than solids and liquids, their densities are frequently expressed in grammes per litre.


5. How can I find out the Earth's density?

 

  • Take note of the Earth's mass in kilogrammes, which is 6 X 10^24 kg.
  • Look up the Earth's volume in m^3, which is 1.1 X 10^21 m^3.
  • Subtract the mass from the volume.
  • You'll have estimated the Earth's average density and come up with a result of 5,500 kg/m^3.