Final answer:
The slope of a graph of mass vs. volume indicates an object's density, which is the mass per unit volume. A steeper slope signifies higher density, whereas a shallower slope indicates lower density.
Step-by-step explanation:
The slope of a graph of mass vs. volume indicates the density of the object. Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of an object. If the slope is steep, the object has a higher density since for a small increase in volume, there is a large increase in mass. Conversely, if the slope is shallow, the object has a lower density, indicating that a large increase in volume only adds a small amount of mass. This concept is vital in understanding why some materials sink while others float when placed in a fluid.
Understanding the properties that quantify inertia and weight can be helpful in this context as well. Inertia is best quantified by an object's mass, which is a measure of the total quantity of matter in an object. It is important to differentiate this from weight, which depends on both the total quantity of matter and the force of gravity acting upon it.