Why is density considered a characteristic property of a substance but mass and volume are not?

Answer 1

Density is specific to a certain substance or material and is therefore known as a characteristic property, it is the same for all samples of the material regardless of the amount. Unlike mass, length or volume which all vary with the amount of the material you have.

Answer 2

A "characteristic" is something that applies uniquely to a particular substance . A characteristic property helps you identify what the sample, or object, or substance is. Example to help make the point: A solid block of iron has the same density no matter how large or small it is. So, size (volume) cannot help you identify an unknown blob of solid iron, and a particular mass for the blob is of no help either. BUT, the change in mass as volume changes, or m/v, is a constant for the substance.

Mass is not a characteristic of copper, because the mass of a big piece of copper is more than the mass of a small piece of copper.

Volume is not a characteristic of gold, because the volume of a big piece of gold is more than the volume of a small piece of gold. Besides, the same amount of a gas can have a wide range of volume based on its pressure.

Density is (mass) divided by (volume), so it doesn't matter whether you have a big piece of iron or a small piece, the quotient of its mass and volume is always the same number whenever it is iron.

Answer 3

Density is considered a characteristic property of a substance because it remains constant regardless of the sample size, whereas mass and volume can change depending on the amount of the substance present. Density is unique to each substance and provides a way to identify it. Mass and volume can vary based on the quantity of the substance, making them not as indicative of the substance's identity.

Answer 4

Each substance has a specific density.