A block of metal has a mass of 780 g and a volume of 100 cm3. Calculate its density in g/cm3.
[2 marks]
Total for this question: 2
All equation deep-dives
Density
Particle model
AQA 8463
On the equation sheet
ORIGINAL
rho = m / V
The unit tells you what to divide by what — and cm^3 vs m^3 is the classic trap.
Current GCSE 8463 policy: The full AQA GCSE Physics 8463 equation sheet is provided with both papers in 2026; use fluency practice to learn selection and rearrangement, not to memorise the list.
Board and spec code confirmed against AQA 8463 · registry checked 2026-07-17How this checking works
Know the equation
| Symbol | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| rho | density | kg/m3 (or g/cm3) |
| m | mass | kg (or g) |
| V | volume | m3 (or cm3) |
Rearrangements
- m = rho x V
- V = m / rho
Apply it — mark your own working
Work each one out on paper first, then reveal the mark scheme and tick the marks you actually earned. That is exactly how you should mark past papers.
Q1
Do the calculation on paper first — then mark it.
Q2
Aluminium has a density of 2700 kg/m3. Calculate the mass of an aluminium block with a volume of 0.0020 m3.
[3 marks]
Total for this question: 3
Do the calculation on paper first — then mark it.
Where the marks get lost
- Dividing volume by mass instead of mass by volume — the unit (kg/m3) tells you it is mass over volume.
- Mixing unit systems: use g with cm3, or kg with m3, never one of each.
- Forgetting that 1 m3 = 1 000 000 cm3 when a question forces a conversion.
Exam tip: Read the unit the answer must be in and match your inputs to it: an answer in g/cm3 needs mass in g and volume in cm3, so no conversion is needed here.
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Stuck on density?
Everything here stays free. If density is where the marks keep going, I teach it one to one from the mark schemes. Free intro call, then a free first lesson.