Density calculation sometimes can be confusing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rev. Cheeseman
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Density Metal
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on the confusion surrounding the calculation of density for two lead cubes of different weights and areas. Initially, the participants mistakenly used area instead of volume to calculate density, leading to incorrect conclusions. It was clarified that density is defined as mass divided by volume, not mass divided by area. This fundamental misunderstanding was highlighted, emphasizing that density is an intrinsic property of a material, independent of the object's size. The conversation then shifted to bone density, where the concept of areal density (mass per unit area) was introduced, particularly in the context of clinical densitometry. It was noted that while larger bones may have higher optical density, this does not necessarily correlate with greater mass density. The discussion concluded that relying solely on areal density for assessing bone strength can be misleading, as it does not account for the complexities of bone composition and structure. The importance of understanding the distinction between mass density and optical density was emphasized, particularly in medical assessments.
  • #31
Borek said:
"weight/mass and the size", just like you stated in what I quoted.

That's how those DEXA scan machines calculated the bone mineral density. You stated previously "Bone density as measured by clinical densitometry is different from the density understand as a physical property of matter. Names are similar but they mean different things." I agree with it.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
  • #32
Borek said:
"weight/mass and the size", just like you stated in what I quoted.

I mean, the mass or weight and the two-dimensional surface or area which is basically two-dimensional representation of the bone size are already there before we divide them to get the surface/areal density.
 
  • #33
wonderingchicken said:
That's how those DEXA scan machines calculated the bone mineral density.

Nope. They _measure_ optical density and bone cross section (these things are doable using xray image) and _estimate_ bone mass and bone volume from these numbers. You got it reversed.
 
  • #34
Borek said:
Nope. They _measure_ optical density and bone cross section (these things are doable using xray image) and _estimate_ bone mass and bone volume from these numbers. You got it reversed.

By dividing mass/weight with the surface/area. Correct?
 
  • #35
wonderingchicken said:
By dividing mass/weight with the surface/area. Correct?
No. You do not have the mass or weight. That is why you need to estimate it from what you can infer.
 
  • #36
Orodruin said:
No. You do not have the mass or weight. That is why you need to estimate it from what you can infer.

So, the bone mineral weight or mass that is calculated from the DEXA scan machines are just estimations?
 
  • #37
Yes. You actually measure mass with something like a mass scale which measures force due to mass. The machine you describe can measure the attenuation of the x-ray beam as it passes through the bone and that is correlated to mass.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes Rev. Cheeseman and Tom.G

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
8K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
10K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
11K
Replies
11
Views
17K