Final answer:
Density is calculated by dividing the mass of an object by its volume, making it proportional to mass and inversely proportional to volume. Different materials have distinct densities, which can be used to identify them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between mass, volume, and density is a foundational concept in physics. Density is defined as the mass of an object divided by its volume. This means that density is proportional to mass and inversely proportional to volume. In other words, as mass increases, density increases, provided that the volume remains constant. Conversely, as volume increases, density decreases if the mass remains the same. It's important to understand that density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume.
For instance, if a sample of iron has a mass of 23.4 grams and a volume of 3.00 cm³, the density can be calculated by dividing the mass by the volume, resulting in a density value. Different substances will have characteristic densities, allowing for determination of their identity based on measured values of mass and volume.