Density vs Mass: Does Lower Density Mean Lighter?

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Lower density does not necessarily mean a material is lighter; rather, it depends on both density and volume. An object with a larger molar mass is not always larger in size. For example, comparing a penny with a density of 9 g/cm^3 to a tank truck full of water with a density of 1 g/cm^3 illustrates that the penny is heavier due to its higher density, assuming equal volumes. The relationship between mass, density, and volume is crucial: mass equals density multiplied by volume. Therefore, when comparing two different chemicals of the same volume, the one with the higher density will indeed be heavier. Additionally, mass and weight are directly proportional; thus, in the same gravitational field, the object with greater mass will have greater weight.
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Does lower density usually mean the material is lighter? I went through high school believing that an object with a larger molar mass is a larger object. However, doesn't a larger density mean that material in use is heavier since it have a more compact lattice structure?
 
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Which is heavier, a penny (density = 9 g/cm^3) or a tank truck full of water (density = 1 g/cm^3)? Mass = density * volume, so the mass depends on the density and the size.
 
Sorry I should have been more clear. If you have two different chemicals in the same volume with different densities then the one with the highest density will be heavier.

Thank you for your help.
 
Notwen7 said:
Sorry I should have been more clear. If you have two different chemicals in the same volume with different densities then the one with the highest density will be heavier.
Yes. Mass and weight are proportional to one another. If two objects are in basically the same location ie on earth, then whichever has the larger mass has a higher weight.
 
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