Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating the density of an object?

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the definition of density in chemistry: density 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, which can be 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 way density requires.
4. Recognize that dividing volume by mass, \(\frac{\text{volume}}{\text{mass}}\), would give the inverse of density, which is not the correct formula for density itself.
5. Therefore, the correct formula for calculating density is \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).