What is density?

Density is the mass per unit of volume of a substance. It is calculated using the formula #"density"# = #"mass"/"volume"#. Mass units include some form of grams, such as kilograms, grams, milligrams. Volume units may be in liters, milileters, cubic centimeters (#"cm"^3#).

If a substance has a mass of #"62.3g"# and a volume of #"85.6cm"^3#, you would calculate its density as
#"density"# = #"mass"/"volume"# = #"62.3g"/"85.6cm"^3# = #"0.728g/cm"^3#

There is a device called a density triangle, that can help you remember the density formula, and use it to find mass when density and volume are known; and to find volume when density and mass are known.

Density units are most commonly #"g/cm"^3#, #"g/mL"#, #"g/L"#, and #"kg/m"^3#.

![Calculation for finding density from )

If you need to find density, cover the D, and the M over the V means to divide mass by volume. If you need to find mass, cover the M and the D next to the V means to multiply density times volume. If you need to find volume, cover the V and the M over D means to divide the mass by the density.