The density of iron is approximately 7.86 g/cm³. This value is consistently reported across multiple reliable sources. However, slight variations exist depending on the allotropic form of iron (different crystalline structures) and measurement conditions.
Understanding Iron's Density
Density is a measure of mass per unit volume. In simpler terms, it tells us how much "stuff" is packed into a given space. For iron, a density of 7.86 g/cm³ means that one cubic centimeter of iron has a mass of 7.86 grams.
Several sources confirm this density:
- Reference 1: States the density of iron as 7.86. https://www.princeton.edu/~maelabs/mae324/glos324/iron.htm
- Reference 2: Lists the density of iron as 7.86. https://web.fscj.edu/Milczanowski/psc/lect/Ch4/slide6.htm
- Reference 3: Provides the density of iron as 7,860 kg/m³, which is equivalent to 7.86 g/cm³. https://theengineeringmindset.com/density-of-metals/
- Reference 4 (Wikipedia): Lists a density of 7.874 g/cm³. Note that slight variations can arise from measurement techniques and the specific iron form. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron
- Reference 7: Mentions a density of 7.92 g/mL (equivalent to g/cm³). Again, slight variations can be due to impurities or measurement methods. https://socratic.org/questions/28-5-g-of-iron-shot-is-added-to-a-graduated-cylinder-containing-45-50-ml-of-wate-1
- Reference 8: Notes that iron meteorites have a density of 7-8 g/cm³. This range accounts for variations in composition within meteorites. https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/density-specific-gravity/
The minor discrepancies between the values provided by different sources highlight the importance of considering experimental conditions and the potential for slight variations in the density of iron depending on the specific sample.
