What is the Difference Between Density and Weight?

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The difference between density and weight lies in their definitions and the factors they depend on. Here's a summary of their differences:

  • Density is a measure of the amount of mass in a unit volume of a substance. It does not depend on gravitational force and remains constant regardless of the gravitational field. Density is usually measured in kilograms per cubic meter.
  • Weight is the force generated by gravitational attraction on an object. It is directly related to the mass of the object and the gravitational force exerted on it. Weight is measured in Newton's and depends on the gravitational field.

In other words, density is an intrinsic property of a substance, while weight is an extrinsic property that depends on the gravitational force. For example, the density of water is 1 g/cm³, regardless of where it is measured. However, the weight of a 1-liter container filled with water would vary depending on the gravitational force at the location, such as on Earth or the Moon.

Comparative Table: Density vs Weight

Here is a table highlighting the differences between density and weight:

Property Density Weight
Definition Density is a measure of mass per unit volume (D = m/V) Weight is the force caused by gravitational attraction on an object (W = mg)
Units kg/m³, g/cm³, slugs/ft³ N (Newtons), lbf (pounds-force)
Relationship with Mass independent of mass directly proportional to mass
Relationship with Volume directly proportional to volume inversely proportional to volume
Relationship with Gravity independent of gravitational acceleration affected by gravitational acceleration
Measurement Density is constant for a given substance, regardless of sample size Weight changes depending on the gravitational properties of the object it is measured on

In summary, density is a property that describes the mass of an object per unit volume, while weight is the force caused by gravitational attraction on an object. Density is independent of mass and volume, whereas weight is directly proportional to mass and inversely proportional to volume. Density is constant for a given substance, while weight changes depending on the gravitational acceleration of the object it is measured on.