Definition:Density (Physics)/Linear

Definition

The linear density of a one-dimensional body is its mass per unit length.

Symbol

The usual symbol used to denote linear density is $\mu$ (Greek letter mu).

Sometimes $\lambda$ (Greek letter lambda) is also used.

Dimension

The dimension of linear density is $\mathsf M \mathsf L^{-1}$: mass per unit length.

Units

• The SI units of linear density are $\mathrm {kg} \ \mathrm m^{-1}$ (kilograms per metre).

• The CGS units of linear density are $\mathrm g \ \mathrm{cm}^{-1}$ (grams per centimetre).

Thus:

$1 \ \mathrm{kg} \ \mathrm m^{-1} = 10 \ \mathrm g \ \mathrm{cm}^{-1}$

Also see

• Definition:Density (Physics)
• Definition:Area Density