Density Calculator

| Added in Physics

Understanding Density

Density is a fundamental physical property that measures how much mass is contained in a given volume. It is calculated using a simple but powerful formula that divides mass by volume.

Formula

[\text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}]

This relationship helps us understand why some materials sink while others float, and why a small piece of lead feels much heavier than a large piece of foam.

Example (Metric)

Calculate the density of an object with mass 200 kg and volume 0.6 m³.

Given:

  • Mass = 200 kg
  • Volume = 0.6 m³

Calculation:

[\text{Density} = \frac{200 \text{ kg}}{0.6 \text{ m}^3} = 333.33 \text{ kg/m}^3]

This density value could indicate a material like concrete or lightweight metal.

Example (Imperial)

Calculate the density of an object with mass 500 lbs and volume 30 ft³.

Given:

  • Mass = 500 lbs
  • Volume = 30 ft³

Calculation:

[\text{Density} = \frac{500 \text{ lbs}}{30 \text{ ft}^3} = 16.67 \text{ lb/ft}^3]

This density is typical for certain types of wood or plastic materials.

Applications

Density calculations are essential in:

  • Material identification and quality control
  • Engineering design and structural analysis
  • Buoyancy and flotation calculations
  • Chemistry and physics experiments
  • Manufacturing and production processes

Frequently Asked Questions

Density is the measure of mass per unit volume. It describes how tightly matter is packed together and is an intrinsic property of materials.

Density is calculated by dividing mass by volume using the formula: Density = Mass / Volume. The result is expressed in units like kg/m³ or lb/ft³.

Use this calculator when you need to identify unknown materials, verify material quality, perform buoyancy calculations, or conduct engineering analysis requiring density values.

The calculator supports metric units (kilograms and cubic meters) and imperial units (pounds and cubic feet). Make sure to use consistent unit systems for accurate results.