weightvolume

Weightvolume is a term used to describe the relationship between the weight and the volume of a material or object. In physics, the central concept related to weightvolume is density, defined as mass per unit volume (for example, kg/m3 or g/mL). Because weight is the gravitational force on a mass, the weightvolume of a body is closely tied to how compactly its mass is arranged.

In practical settings such as logistics and shipping, weightvolume often refers to dimensional or volumetric weight, which is used to price shipments based on size as well as actual mass. Dimensional weight is computed from the package’s volume and a divisor (for example, using centimeters, the formula is roughly volume in cm3 divided by 5000 to yield kilograms). Carriers compare this value to the actual weight and bill for the higher of the two.

Outside transportation, weightvolume is used in material science, pharmacology, and geology to describe how heavy a material is for a given volume. Densities determine buoyancy, storage requirements, and processing characteristics. Bulk density refers to the weight per unit volume of loose packed materials such as powders or grains.

Measuring weightvolume involves determining volume and mass. Volume can be calculated from dimensions for regular shapes or obtained by water displacement for irregular objects; mass is measured with a scale. For liquids or solutions, weight per volume is often expressed as mass per unit volume, such as mg/mL or g/L.

See also: density, mass, volume, dimensional weight, bulk density.