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if the volume is 90cm what would be the mass

if the volume is 90cm what would be the mass

2 min read 21-01-2025
if the volume is 90cm what would be the mass

Calculating Mass from Volume: Understanding Density

Determining the mass of an object knowing only its volume requires knowing one crucial piece of information: the object's density. Density is a measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume. It's calculated as mass divided by volume (Density = Mass/Volume). Therefore, if you have a volume of 90 cm³ and want to find the mass, you must know the density of the material.

Let's explore how to calculate the mass, illustrating with examples of different materials.

The Formula: Mass = Density x Volume

This is simply a rearrangement of the density formula. We can use it directly to calculate the mass once we have the density and volume.

  • Volume (V): Given as 90 cm³
  • Density (ρ): This is the key missing piece of information. It's usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).

Examples Using Different Materials

Let's look at a few examples using different materials to highlight how dramatically the mass can change even with the same volume:

1. Water: The density of water is approximately 1 g/cm³.

  • Mass = Density x Volume
  • Mass = (1 g/cm³) x (90 cm³)
  • Mass = 90 g

Therefore, 90 cm³ of water would have a mass of 90 grams.

2. Aluminum: The density of aluminum is approximately 2.7 g/cm³.

  • Mass = Density x Volume
  • Mass = (2.7 g/cm³) x (90 cm³)
  • Mass = 243 g

90 cm³ of aluminum would have a mass of 243 grams—significantly more than the same volume of water.

3. Gold: The density of gold is approximately 19.3 g/cm³.

  • Mass = Density x Volume
  • Mass = (19.3 g/cm³) x (90 cm³)
  • Mass = 1737 g (or approximately 1.74 kg)

90 cm³ of gold would have a mass of 1737 grams, or about 1.74 kilograms—a considerable difference compared to water or aluminum.

Units Matter!

It's crucial to pay attention to units when using this formula. Ensure your density and volume units are consistent. If your density is given in kg/m³, you need to convert your volume to cubic meters before performing the calculation.

What if you don't know the density?

If you don't know the density of the material, you can't calculate the mass. You'll need to find the density through:

  • Looking it up: Consult a density table or a material properties database online.
  • Experimentally determining it: You can find the density by measuring the mass and volume of a sample of the material and calculating density = mass/volume.

In conclusion, knowing the volume alone isn't enough to determine the mass. You absolutely need the density of the substance in question to perform this calculation accurately using the formula: Mass = Density x Volume. Remember to always double-check your units for consistency.

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