The mass of unit volume of a substance is its density. Its dimensions are M/L 3 and the units of measurement must be stated. Since most substances change in volume with temperature the latter should be stated; but, except at extremes of temperature, this correction may be neglected in mineralogy, as is the correction for the weight of air displaced in weighing.
Density is usually stated in g/cm3 and symbolized by D or ρ or sometimes by G in mineralogy. (G, an abbreviation of an abbreviation, comes from S.G. the specific gravity or relative density, which is the ratio of the weight of the substance to that of an equal volume of water and is simply a number without units. Hence G for density is undesirable.)
Usually the volume of a substance is measured by displacement of a fluid (generally water) so that correction for the temperature of the fluid must be applied. The correction for water temperature may be important and the water temperature at the time of measurement should be stated...
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Reference
Battey, M. H., 1972. Mineralogy for Students. London: Longmans, 323p.
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© 1981 Hutchinson Ross Publishing Company
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Battey, M.H. (1981). Density measurements . In: Mineralogy. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30720-6_33
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30720-6_33
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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