What does density tell us?

1 Answer
Dec 22, 2016

The amount of mass per unit volume.

Explanation:

Density is a derived unit from two other units: mass and volume.

Density is by definition, the amount of mass per unit volume.

Identified with the formula rho=m/V.
= > where rho is the density in (kg)/L OR (kg)/m^3 or any similar units of
measurements (g/(mL), etc.), m is the mass of the object in either
g or kg, and V is the volume in either L or mL OR m^3 or cm^3.

The mass and volume units determine the unit of measurement your density is in.

Density tells scientists how "heavy" a substance is. If a substance has a higher density, it is heavier. Likewise a lighter density means it is much lighter.


For example, air has a density of approximately 1.225 (kg)/m^3.

Helium gas has a very small density compared to air, approximately 0.18 (kg)/m^3. Because its density is so low, it floats higher than air.

Sulfur hexafluoride has an incredibly high density, approximately 6.17 (kg)/m^3. This high density results in it "sinking".

Hope this helps :)