To find the volume of an object or substance when you know its density and mass, you can use the following formula:
Volume = Mass / Density
Understanding the Formula:
- Mass: This is the amount of matter in the object, typically measured in units like grams (g), kilograms (kg), or other units of mass.
- Density: Density is the measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. It’s typically expressed in units like grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), kilograms per liter (kg/L), or other units that represent mass per unit volume.
- Volume: This is the amount of space the object occupies, measured in units such as cubic centimeters (cm³), liters (L), or cubic meters (m³).
Formula Breakdown:
The relationship between mass, density, and volume is given by the equation:
Density = Mass / Volume
So, to find the volume, you rearrange the formula as:
Volume = Mass / Density
This means that if you know the mass of an object and its density, you can simply divide the mass by the density to get the volume.
Step-by-Step Process to Find Volume:
- Identify the mass of the object (in a suitable unit like grams, kilograms, etc.).
- Identify the density of the material the object is made from (in units like g/cm³, kg/L, etc.).
- Plug the values into the formula:Volume = Mass / Density
- Calculate the volume. Ensure that the units for mass and density are compatible. For example, if the mass is in grams (g) and the density is in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), the resulting volume will be in cubic centimeters (cm³).
Example 1: Finding Volume from Mass and Density
Let’s say you have a mass of 100 grams of a substance, and the density of the substance is 2 g/cm³.
Using the formula:
Volume = Mass / Density = 100 g / 2 g/cm3 = 50 cm3
So, the volume of this substance is 50 cubic centimeters (cm³).
Example 2: Finding Volume from Mass and Density in Different Units
Suppose you have a mass of 2 kilograms (kg) of a substance, and the density is 1.5 kg/L.
The formula is:
Volume = Mass / Density = 2 kg / 1.5 kg/L = 1.33 L
So, the volume is 1.33 liters (L).
Important Notes:
- Unit Consistency: Always ensure that the units for mass and density are compatible. For example:
- If mass is in grams (g) and density is in g/cm³, the volume will be in cubic centimeters (cm³).
- If mass is in kilograms (kg) and density is in kg/L, the volume will be in liters (L).
- Units Conversion: If the units for mass and density don’t match (e.g., mass in grams and density in kilograms per liter), you’ll need to convert the units before applying the formula.
Conclusion:
To find the volume of an object when you have its mass and density, simply use the formula:
Volume = Mass / Density
By carefully using the correct units and performing the division, you can easily calculate the volume of a substance based on its mass and density.