To determine a planet's average density, we can use which of the following formulas?

• A. density = volume / mass
• B. density = mass / area
• C. density = mass × volume
• D. density = mass / volume

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the definition of density in general chemistry: density is the measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume.
2. Express this relationship mathematically as density equals mass divided by volume, which can be written as \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).
3. Understand why the other options are incorrect: density is not volume divided by mass, nor is it mass divided by area, nor mass multiplied by volume.
4. Recognize that this formula applies universally, including for determining the average density of a planet, where mass is the planet's total mass and volume is the space it occupies.
5. Therefore, the correct formula to determine a planet's average density is \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).