What is the Difference Between Mass and Density?

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The main difference between mass and density lies in their definitions and how they are measured. Here are the key differences:

  • Mass refers to the amount of matter in an object or substance. It is a measure of the quantity of matter present in an object and is typically expressed in units like kilograms. Mass is an extrinsic property, meaning it depends on the matter present in the substance.
  • Density refers to how much space an object or substance takes up (its volume) in relation to the amount of matter in that object or substance (its mass). It is the degree of compactness of the matter in an object or substance. Density is an intrinsic property, meaning it is not based on the amount of matter present in the object. The standard unit of density is kilograms per cubic meter.

In summary, mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while density is a measure of the compactness of that matter in relation to its volume. Mass is an extrinsic property, while density is an intrinsic property.

Comparative Table: Mass vs Density

Here is a table summarizing the differences between mass and density:

Property Mass Density
Meaning The amount of matter contained in an object, measured in kilograms. The concentration of matter in an object, defined as the mass per unit volume, measured in kg/m³.
What it represents It is a measure of inertia. It is the degree of compactness.
SI unit Kilogram (kg). Kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³).
Intrinsic or Extrinsic property Intrinsic. Extrinsic.

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while density is a measure of the concentration of matter in an object per unit volume. The standard unit of mass is the kilogram, whereas the standard unit of density is the kilogram per cubic meter.