Density Conversion
A comprehensive tool to convert between different units of density, such as kg/m³, g/cm³, and lb/ft³.
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Understanding Density and Its Units
A comprehensive guide to density, its formula, and how to convert between common units like kg/m³, g/cm³, and lb/ft³.
What is Density?
Density is a fundamental physical property of a substance that describes how much "stuff" is packed into a given space. It is defined as the mass of a substance per unit of volume. The symbol for density is typically the Greek letter rho (ρ).
The formula for density is:
Density (ρ) = Mass (m) / Volume (V)
A less dense object will float on top of a more dense fluid if they do not mix. For example, oil floats on water because it is less dense, and a rock sinks because it is more dense.
Common Units and Conversions
Density can be expressed in many different units, depending on the system of measurement being used. This calculator helps convert between the most common ones.
- Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³): This is the official SI (International System of Units) unit for density. It's commonly used in science and engineering.
- Gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm³ or g/cc): A very common metric unit. Conveniently, it is also equal to grams per milliliter (g/mL). The density of water is approximately 1 g/cm³.
1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
- Pound per cubic foot (lb/ft³): The standard Imperial and US customary unit for density. It's often used in construction and material science in the United States.
1 lb/ft³ ≈ 16.0185 kg/m³
- Pound per cubic inch (lb/in³): Used for materials with very high density in the imperial system.
1 lb/in³ = 1728 lb/ft³
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the density of water?
- A: The density of fresh water at 4°C (39.2°F) is approximately 1 g/cm³, 1000 kg/m³, or 62.4 lb/ft³.
- Q: Is density affected by temperature and pressure?
- A: Yes. For most substances, density decreases as temperature increases, because the volume expands while the mass stays the same. For gases, density is also highly dependent on pressure.
- Q: What is specific gravity?
- A: Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to the density of a reference substance (usually water). Since it's a ratio, it has no units. A substance with a specific gravity of 2.5 is 2.5 times denser than water.
- Q: How does this density conversion calculator work?
- A: When you enter a value in any of the unit fields, the calculator uses standard conversion factors to instantly calculate and display the equivalent values in all other units.
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