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bulk density
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A line graph displays the distribution of dry bulk densities for various rock samples, with density values on the x-axis and percent of total samples on the y-axis. Most samples cluster around 2.63 grams per cubic centimeter. An inset graph shows cumulative percentage distribution, and a text box summarizes statistics such as mean, median, mode, and sample size.
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bulk density

geology
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A line graph displays the distribution of dry bulk densities for various rock samples, with density values on the x-axis and percent of total samples on the y-axis. Most samples cluster around 2.63 grams per cubic centimeter. An inset graph shows cumulative percentage distribution, and a text box summarizes statistics such as mean, median, mode, and sample size.
dry bulk densities Figure 3: Dry bulk densities (distribution with density) for all rocks given in Table 33.

In geology, bulk density refers to the mass of a substance divided by the total volume it occupies, including pore space. This value can vary based on particle arrangement and is not solely dependent on the material's intrinsic properties. For rocks, bulk density is influenced by mineralogy, porosity, grain size, and the presence of fluids within the pores.12

The formula for bulk density is (\rho_B = W_G / V_B), where (W_G) is the weight of the solid components and (V_B) is the total bulk volume, including pore space. This measurement is crucial for interpreting subsurface geological structures and rock types. Different rock types exhibit a wide range of densities; for instance, granite typically has a density around 2.66 g/cm³, while sandstone can range from 2.0 to 2.6 g/cm³ due to its variable porosity.2

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. rock - Density
  2. bulk density
  3. density

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