Question

The average density of a planet is

A) its total mass divided by its total volume.
B) the amount of mass in unit volume of the material on its surface.
C) another way of describing its total mass.
D) the mass of a unit volume (1 cubic meter) of the material at its core.

Answer 1

The average density of a planet is calculated by taking its total mass and dividing it by its total volume. This calculation is significant in various scientific fields, including astrophysics, to understand the composition and structure of celestial bodies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average density of a planet is its total mass divided by its total volume. This definition applies to various forms of matter, including planets, which are typically spherical in shape. To calculate the density of an object, you would use the formula described by the Greek letter rho (ρ), where density ρ is equal to mass (m) divided by volume (V). The formula is ρ = m/V. When comparing densities, it's essential to understand that the mass represents the quantity of matter, while volume defines the space that matter occupies.

For a sphere, you can calculate the volume (V) using the equation for the volume of a sphere, V=ρ4/3ρR³, where R is the radius of the sphere. The concept of density is crucial in many scientific areas, such as astrophysics and geology, where it can influence our understanding of planetary composition and structure.