Density
Science: KS3, topic 2.8.3
Density
Density is defined as a substances mass per unit volume. It varies between different substances.
Calculating density
- It is calculated by Density = Mass ÷ Volume
- It is measured in g/cm3 or kg/m3
- The symbol that represents density is ρ (the Greek rho).
Water and density
- Water has a density of 1g/cm3.
- If a substance has a density lower than this it will float.
- If it has a density higher than this it will sink.
Changing density
- You can increase the density of a fixed volume of a gas if you add more particles into the fixed volume.
- If you have a fixed mass you can increase the decrease the density if you reduce the volume of the substance.
Test yourself on Density
What is the Greek symbol that represents density?
What is the density of water?
A fixed volume of gas has some particles removed from it. What happens to its density?