Density Calculator
Calculate any of the three variables in the density equation (density, mass, or volume) given the other two. Understand density concepts with this physics calculator.
Your Results
| Density (ρ) | - |
|---|---|
| Mass (m) | - |
| Volume (V) | - |
| Mass Unit | - |
| Volume Unit | - |
Detailed Calculations:
| Calculation | Formula |
|---|---|
| Density (ρ) | ρ = m / V |
| Mass (m) | m = ρ × V |
| Volume (V) | V = m / ρ |
About the Density Calculator
This density calculator helps you solve for any of the three variables in the density equation (density, mass, or volume) when you know the other two. Density is a fundamental concept in physics and materials science that describes how much mass is contained in a given volume.
Key Density Concepts
Density (ρ) is defined as mass per unit volume. The standard units are kg/m³ in the SI system and g/cm³ in the CGS system.
Mass (m) is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms or grams.
Volume (V) is the amount of space an object occupies, measured in cubic meters, liters, or other volume units.
Density Formula
The density formula is:
ρ = m / V
Where:
ρ = density (kg/m³ or g/cm³)
m = mass (kg or g)
V = volume (m³ or cm³)
Common Material Densities
Here are densities of some common materials at room temperature (20°C):
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1,000 | 1.00 |
| Air | 1.225 | 0.001225 |
| Aluminum | 2,700 | 2.70 |
| Iron | 7,870 | 7.87 |
| Gold | 19,300 | 19.30 |
Applications of Density
Understanding density is important for:
- Determining if objects will float or sink in fluids
- Identifying unknown materials
- Designing ships, balloons, and other floating objects
- Calculating weights of materials for construction
- Quality control in manufacturing
- Geological and material science research
Buoyancy and Density
An object will float in a fluid if its average density is less than the fluid's density. This principle explains why ships made of steel (density ~8 g/cm³) can float in water (density 1 g/cm³) - the ship's overall density, including air spaces, is less than water's density.
Density and Temperature
Density typically decreases with increasing temperature (for most materials) because the same mass occupies more volume as it expands. This is why warm air rises and cold air sinks, creating convection currents.