Density Calculator (ρ = m/V)
Density measures how much mass is packed into a given volume. Defined by the equation ρ = m/V (the Greek letter rho equals mass divided by volume), density is a fundamental physical property used to identify materials, predict buoyancy, and solve countless engineering and science problems.
The density formula ρ = m/V gives you the mass per unit volume of a substance. It is one of the most commonly used relationships in physics, chemistry, and engineering.
- Density (ρ) is measured in kg/m³ (SI) or g/cm³ (CGS)
- Mass (m) is measured in kilograms (kg)
- Volume (V) is measured in cubic meters (m³)
Common reference densities: water is approximately 1,000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³), air at sea level is about 1.225 kg/m³, iron is 7,874 kg/m³, and gold is 19,320 kg/m³.
Density determines whether an object floats or sinks. If an object's density is less than the fluid it is placed in, it floats. This principle is the basis of Archimedes' principle and is essential in shipbuilding, hot-air ballooning, and materials science.