The density of temperate woods varies from about 0.3 to 0.9 gram per cc, but the range worldwide is approximately from 0.2 to 1.2 grams per cc (see table). Differences among species or samples of the same species are due to varying proportions of wood substance and void volume and to content of extractives.
Using this idea, you can calculate the mass of a cube with the formula for Density = mass ÷ volume. Review the formula for density: Density = mass ÷ volume. If you solve this equation for mass, it becomes: mass = density x volume.
The density of a substance as a liquid is usually only slightly less than its density as a solid. For example, the density of solid aluminium is 2.72 g/cm 3 and the density of liquid aluminium is 2.38 g/cm 3. This means that liquid aluminium floats on top of solid aluminium.
The densest of all woods is Allocasuarina luehmannii. Various other hardwoods may also be called lignum vitae and should not be confused with it.
The Density Calculator uses the formula p=m/V, or density (p) is equal to mass (m) divided by volume (V). The calculator can use any two of the values to calculate the third. Density is defined as mass per unit volume.
Density = mass/volume eq 1. The standard metric units in use for mass and volume respectively are grams and milliters or cubic centimeters. Thus, density has the unit grams/milliter (g/ml) or grams/cubic centimenters (g/cc).
Wood Density Chart in (103 kg/m3) / (lb/ft3)
| Solid | Density |
|---|
| (103 kg/m3) | (lb/ft3) |
|---|
| Oak | 0.6 - 0.9 | 37 - 56 |
| Oak, American Red | 0.74 | 45 |
| Oak, American White | 0.77 | 47 |
This quantity ρ is known as the density , which is usually defined as the mass per unit volume: ρ=mV. The volume units milliliter (mL) and cubic centimeter (cm3) are identical and are commonly used interchangeably. The general meaning of density is the amount of anything per unit volume.
Divide the mass by the density of the substance to determine the volume (mass/density = volume). Remember to keep the units of measure consistent. For example, if the density is given in grams per cubic centimeter, then measure the mass in grams and give the volume in cubic centimeters.
Calculate the volume of the block of wood by multiplying length by width by height for rectangular pieces. Calculate the volume of a cylinder by dividing the diameter by two to calculate the radius. Square the radius and multiply the result by 3.14, and then multiply your product by the length.
The densest of all woods is Allocasuarina luehmannii. Various other hardwoods may also be called lignum vitae and should not be confused with it.
Wood is less dense than water if it floats, more if it sinks, and about the same if it floats with its top surface level with the water.
Generally acknowledged as the hardest wood, lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum and Guaiacum officinale) measures in at 4,500 pounds-force (lbf) on the Janka scale.
The density of ice is 0.9167–0.9168 g/cm3 at 0 °C and standard atmospheric pressure (101,325 Pa), whereas water has a density of 0.9998–0.999863 g/cm3 at the same temperature and pressure.
Density is a good predictor for strength and stiffness, two mechanical properties that are very important considerations for furniture (see Wood: Strength and Stiffness). Wood in the density range 400–800kgm−3 (oven dry mass, green volume basis) is preferred (Webster et al. 1984).
Technically, specific gravity is a measure of the ratio of a wood's density as compared to water. However, as with any density measurement for wood, it is greatly dependent upon the wood's moisture content: the more moisture the wood contains, the denser it will be.
Woods with more weight for a given volume have a higher density than woods with less weight. Both weight and volume of wood are affected by the amount of moisture it contains. As discussed in Lesson 1, density is an excellent indicator of wood strength; the higher the density the stronger the wood.
Reaction wood in a woody plant is wood that forms in place of normal wood as a response to gravity, where the cambial cells are oriented other than vertically. It is typically found on branches and leaning stems. In most angiosperms reaction wood is called tension wood.
It floats because it weighs less than amount of water it would have to push out of the glass if it sank. Wood, cork, and ice are all less dense than water, and they float; rocks are more dense, so they sink.
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Mass is usually measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). Mass measures the quantity of matter regardless of both its location in the universe and the gravitational force applied to it. Your mass on the earth and the moon are identical.
The density, strength and surface hardness of wood can be increased by compressing it. Deciduous wood can be compressed so that its volume is reduced by up to 50%. The corresponding figure for conifers is approximately 40%.
0.93 gram per cubic centimeter
19.32 grams per cubic centimeter
