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Ch 01: Concepts of Motion
Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers 5th Edition
Knight Calc5th EditionPhysics for Scientists and EngineersISBN: 9780137344796Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksKnight Calc 5th EditionCh 01: Concepts of MotionProblem 57a
Chapter 1, Problem 57a

The quantity called mass density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. What are the mass densities in basic SI units of the following objects? A 215 cm3 solid with a mass of 0.0179 kg.

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Convert the volume of the solid from cm³ to m³. Since 1 cm³ = 1 × 10⁻⁶ m³, multiply the given volume (215 cm³) by 1 × 10⁻⁶ to express it in cubic meters.
Recall the formula for mass density: ρ = m / V, where ρ is the mass density, m is the mass, and V is the volume.
Substitute the given mass (0.0179 kg) and the converted volume (in m³) into the formula for mass density.
Simplify the expression to calculate the mass density in kg/m³, which is the SI unit for mass density.
Verify the units of the final result to ensure they are consistent with the SI system (kg/m³).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mass Density

Mass density is defined as the mass of a substance divided by its volume. It is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume and is typically expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) in the SI system. Understanding mass density is crucial for determining how substances interact, as it influences buoyancy, stability, and material properties.
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SI Units

The International System of Units (SI) is the standard system of measurement used in science and engineering. It provides a consistent framework for measuring physical quantities, including mass (kilograms), volume (cubic meters), and density (kilograms per cubic meter). Familiarity with SI units is essential for accurate calculations and comparisons in physics.
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Volume Calculation

Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object and is a critical component in calculating mass density. For irregular shapes, volume can be determined through methods such as water displacement, while regular shapes use geometric formulas. In this question, the volume of the solid is given in cubic centimeters, which must be converted to cubic meters to align with SI units for density calculations.
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