3.1.3

Density

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Density

Density is equal to mass divided by volume.

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Density

  • Density is given by ρ=m/V, where the ρ is the Greek letter rho, not a p!
  • m is mass, V is volume.
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Upthrust

  • An object floats in a fluid if the density of the object is lower than the density of the fluid.
  • The force that keeps the object afloat is called upthrust.
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Law of Displacement

  • The Law of Displacement says that an object completely submerged in a fluid (like water) will replace an amount of fluid equal to its own volume.

Density - Example

This baby elephant has a higher density than water, so sinks...

Density and the Particle Model

Differences in the density of solids, liquids and gases can be explained using the particle model of matter.

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Solids

  • Solids are the densest state of matter.
  • The particles are packed tightly together.
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Liquids

  • Liquids are less dense than solids but denser than gases.
  • The particles in liquids can move around each other.
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Gases

  • Gases are the least dense state of matter.
  • The particles are free to move with negligible (tiny) forces between particles.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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