Which of the following equations correctly describes how to calculate the density of a substance?

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the definition of density, which is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume of a substance.
2. Express this relationship mathematically as density equals mass divided by volume, written as \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).
3. Understand that multiplying mass by volume or adding them does not represent density, as these operations do not relate mass to volume in the correct way.
4. Recognize that dividing volume by mass would give the inverse of density, which is not the standard definition.
5. Therefore, the correct formula to calculate density is \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).