What is density?

Density is defined as the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume. This means that to find the density, you would divide the mass (how much matter is in the object) by the volume (the amount of space the object occupies). The relationship illustrated by density helps in understanding how closely packed the particles in a substance are. For example, a substance with a high density contains more mass in a given volume compared to a substance with a low density.

Density plays a critical role in various scientific applications, such as determining whether an object will float or sink in a fluid. It can also be useful in identifying substances, as different materials typically have unique density values. Understanding this concept is fundamental in physical science and helps in various fields, including chemistry and engineering.