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Density and Relative Density Explained

Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume. Relative density is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water. These concepts hel

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TL;DR: Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume. Relative density is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water. These concept…

Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated Jul 23, 2026

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Density and Relative Density: Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume. Relative density is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water. These concepts hel

Density and Relative Density Explained Simply

Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume. Relative density is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water. These concepts hel This is a key Physics concept for 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does ice float in water while most solids sink in their respective liquids?

Ice has lower density (917 kg/m³) than liquid water (1000 kg/m³) due to its crystalline structure with more space between molecules. Most solids are denser than their liquids, but water is an exception.

What does relative density of 0.8 mean?

It means the substance has 80% of water's density. A substance with RD = 0.8 will float in water because it is less dense. The fraction submerged would be 0.8 or 80%.

Can density be used to identify materials?

Yes, density is a characteristic property of each substance. Different pure substances have different densities, so measuring density can help identify the substance. However, mixtures may have intermediate densities.

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