Final answer:
The density of many substances in chemistry is often compared to that of water, which has a density of 1 g/cm³, serving as a simple and universal reference point for density comparison.
Step-by-step explanation:
In chemistry, the density of many substances is often compared to that of water. Water has a density of 1 g/cm³ at 4°C and standard atmospheric pressure, which makes it a convenient reference point for comparing densities. This is because 1 g/cm³ is the density that was originally used to define the kilogram, and it's easy to remember.
Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance or object, and is a crucial factor in determining whether an object will sink or float in a fluid. In contrast to the density of water, the density of air is about 1.2 g/L which is significantly lower due to the gaseous state of air.