DENSITIES OF COMMON SUBSTANCES - Density is a measure of the amount of mass contained in a unit of volume. Most gases are less dense than liquids, which are in turn less dense than solids, but there are numerous exceptions. The density of pure water is defined to be 1 gram per cubic centimeter (or, g/ml). Unlike most substances, water is denser as a liquid than as a solid. A consequence is that ice floats on water. Also, pure water is less dense than seawater, so fresh water can float on top of salt water, mixing at the interface.

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Densities Of Common Substances

Table of Densities of Common Substances

Compare the Densities of Solids, Liquids, and Gases

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Here's a table of densities of common substances, including several gases, liquids, and solids.

Density is a measure of the amount of mass contained in a unit of volume.

The general trend is that most gases are less dense than liquids, which are in turn less dense than solids, but there are numerous exceptions.

For this reason, the table lists density from lowest to highest and includes the state of matter.

Note that the density of pure water is defined to be 1 gram per cubic centimeter (or, g/ml).

Unlike most substances, water is denser as a liquid than as a solid.

A consequence is that ice floats on water.

Also, pure water is less dense than seawater, so fresh water can float on top of salt water, mixing at the interface.

The Factors That Affect Density

Density depends on temperature and pressure.

For solids, it's also affected by the way atoms and molecules stack together.

A pure substance can take many forms, which don't have the same properties. For example, carbon can take the form of graphite or diamond.

Both are chemically identical, but they do not share an identical density value.

To convert these density values into kilograms per cubic meter, multiply any of the numbers by 1000.

Densities of Common Substances

Material	Density (g/cm3)	State of Matter
hydrogen (at STP)	0.00009	gas
helium (at STP)	0.000178	gas
carbon monoxide (at STP)	0.00125	gas
nitrogen (at STP)	0.001251	gas
air (at STP)	0.001293	gas
carbon dioxide (at STP)	0.001977	gas
lithium	0.534	solid
ethanol (grain alcohol)	0.810	liquid
benzene	0.900	liquid
ice	0.920	solid
water at 20°C	0.998	liquid
water at 4°C	1.000	liquid
seawater	1.03	liquid
milk	1.03	liquid
coal	1.1-1.4	solid
blood	1.600	liquid
magnesium	1.7	solid
granite	2.6-2.7	solid
aluminum	2.7	solid
steel	7.8	solid
iron	7.8	solid
copper	8.3-9.0	solid
lead	11.3	solid
mercury	13.6	liquid
uranium	18.7	solid
gold	19.3	solid
platinum	21.4	solid
osmium	22.6	solid
iridium	22.6	solid
white dwarf star	107	solid

 

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

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https://www.thoughtco.com/table-of-densities-of-common-substances-603976