The density of polystyrene, a plastic commonly used to make CD cases and transparent cups, is 0.037 lbs/in3. Calculate the density in units of g/cm3.

Key Concepts

Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume, typically expressed in units such as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or pounds per cubic inch (lbs/in³). It is a physical property that helps identify substances and can influence their behavior in different environments. Understanding density is crucial for converting between different measurement systems and for applications in material science.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one set of units to another set of units. In this case, converting density from lbs/in³ to g/cm³ involves using conversion factors that relate these units. Mastery of unit conversion is essential in chemistry to ensure accurate calculations and comparisons between different measurements.

Conversion Factors

Conversion factors are ratios that express how many of one unit are equal to another unit. For example, 1 lb is approximately 453.592 grams, and 1 in³ is approximately 16.387 cm³. Using these factors allows for the systematic conversion of measurements, which is vital in scientific calculations to maintain consistency and accuracy across different unit systems.