Calculating Mass/Density?

[raid517]

Can someone please explain in simple language and in step by step terms how to tackle a problem like this?

 

A block of stone has a mass of 478 kg and a volume of 0.16 m^3. Calculate its density. Give your answer to the nearest whole number and with appropriate SI units.

 

 

I have to answer a question that is very similar to this. (Only the numbers have been changed). But I haven't got a clue where to start.

 

At a guess my instinct is to find a way to convert these numbers into the same or similar units?

 

I have of course used different numbers here and I am not trying to cheat or anything (it's just a practice question anyway), as I really would like to understand how to do this. But my maths isn't strong (I'm an adult learner BTW), so I would appreciate as simple and clear a breakdown of this problem as possible.

 

With thanks!

[cypress]

Can someone please explain in simple language and in step by step terms how to tackle a problem like this?

 

 

 

 

I have to answer a question that is very similar to this. (Only the numbers have been changed). But I haven't got a clue where to start.

 

At a guess my instinct is to find a way to convert these numbers into the same or similar units?

 

I have of course used different numbers here and I am not trying to cheat or anything (it's just a practice question anyway), as I really would like to understand how to do this. But my maths isn't strong (I'm an adult learner BTW), so I would appreciate as simple and clear a breakdown of this problem as possible.

 

With thanks!

 

Step 1) find the definition for density.

Step 2) Understand the definition and the calculation for density.

Step 3) Write out the formula for density

Step 4) Apply the formula using the inputs offered in the problem statement

Step 5) Complete the calculation and round the answer to the requested precision.

 

Can someone please explain in simple language and in step by step terms how to tackle a problem like this?

 

 

 

 

I have to answer a question that is very similar to this. (Only the numbers have been changed). But I haven't got a clue where to start.

 

At a guess my instinct is to find a way to convert these numbers into the same or similar units?

 

No not exactly. kilograms is a measure of mass while cubic meters is a measure of volume so they don't readily convert. The properties (mass and volume) are however contained in the definition of density.

 

I have of course used different numbers here and I am not trying to cheat or anything (it's just a practice question anyway), as I really would like to understand how to do this. But my maths isn't strong (I'm an adult learner BTW), so I would appreciate as simple and clear a breakdown of this problem as possible.

 

With thanks!

 

I'm not sure, but it does not seem like math is your issue here, instead you need to start at the beginning by finding and understanding the definition of the physical property known as density.

[lemur]

I don't know if this will help you, but I like to comprehend concepts in reference to ones I already understand. Density is mass per unit volume, so I look for another concept in the same form, such as doughnuts per dollar. Then I think, if I get 2 doughnuts for a dollar, that is 2 doughnuts/dollar, because it's a ration of doughnuts to dollars where there's only one dollar.

 

So now you have to figure out how many kg per unit volume to get the density. That means you have to set it up as a ratio and covert it to a proportion where the unit volume is 1. I hope this helps and doesn't make it more confusing.