Question

What does the density of a substance represent?

Short answer

The density of a substance represents the relationship between its mass and the space it occupies. It is determined by dividing the mass of a substance by its volume and is denoted by the symbol ρ (rho). The formula for density is: Density = \(\frac{Mass}{Volume}\), where mass is measured in kilograms (kg) and volume in cubic meters (m³). The density value distinguishes different materials, as each substance has its own unique density.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Density

Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance. It tells us how much mass is packed into a specific volume. The denser a substance is, the more mass is packed into a given volume. The density of a substance can be used to distinguish between different materials, as each substance has its own unique density value.

Formula for Density

Density can be determined by dividing the mass of a substance by its volume. The formula for density is: Density = \(\frac{Mass}{Volume}\) Where: - Density is usually represented by the symbol ρ (rho) - Mass is measured in kilograms (kg) - Volume is measured in cubic meters (m³)

Example Calculation

Let's say we have a substance with a mass of 2 kg and a volume of 0.5 m³. We can use the formula for density to determine the density of this substance: Density = \(\frac{Mass}{Volume}\) = \(\frac{2\,\text{kg}}{0.5\,\text{m}^3}\) Density = 4 kg/m³ So the density of this substance is 4 kg per cubic meter.