Definition:Density (Physics)/Linear

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

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

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

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

Units of Linear Density

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


 * The CGS units of 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