Density Formula
The density formula ρ = m/V calculates how much mass is packed into a given volume.
Learn to solve density problems with clear examples.
The Formula
ρ = m / V
Density measures how much mass is contained in a given volume. A higher density means more mass is packed into the same space.
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ρ | Density (measured in kilograms per cubic meter, kg/m³) |
| m | Mass (measured in kilograms, kg) |
| V | Volume (measured in cubic meters, m³) |
Example 1
A block of metal has a mass of 540 g and a volume of 200 cm³. What is its density?
Convert units: m = 0.54 kg, V = 0.0002 m³ (or work in g/cm³)
Apply the formula: ρ = m / V = 540 / 200 (in g/cm³)
ρ = 2.7 g/cm³ (this is the density of aluminum)
Example 2
A liquid has a density of 1,025 kg/m³. If you have 0.5 m³ of it, what is the mass?
Rearrange: m = ρ × V
m = 1,025 × 0.5
m = 512.5 kg
When to Use It
Use the density formula to relate mass and volume of any material.
- Identifying unknown materials by comparing their density to known values
- Determining whether an object will float or sink (compare to water: 1,000 kg/m³)
- Calculating the mass of a known volume of material
- Engineering and manufacturing calculations