Density Density was a characteristic of an area of space which described the amount of mass or energy occupying it per unit volume . It was a fundamental measurement in physics , geology , biology and in astronomy . One measure was gram s per cubic centimeter . ( ) Uses . Physics . Using the density of a group of objects with its volume , one could determine a rough number of them . ( ) The density of an underwater vessel could be changed , by throwing out cargo , for example , in order to propel it toward the surface . ( ) The density of polaron grid s could be large enough to block ships physically . ( ) Field density was a type of density related to gravity and also important for interdimensional rift s . ( ) Unusual density patterns were called particle density anomalies . ( ) The density of a material changed the nature of a transmission , sometimes significantly . When a probe of unknown origin came to Earth in 2286 to contact humpback whale s , its transmission was hard to decipher . Nyota Uhura was able to alter its transmission , using the ocean ' s density , to simulate its broadcast under water . This revealed it was a whale song . ( ) Geology . The molecular density of mineral s could help distinguish the exact type . The crystalline state of an embryonic lifeform , for example , resembled promethean quartz except that it had a much larger density . ( ) Density measurements were also used to identify asteroid s with a desired mineral . ( ) Many large asteroids , big enough for a ship to enter , were not always stable . Shifts in their magnetic field density occurred unpredictably and made it hazardous for a ship to maneuver inside . ( ) Biology . The effects of radiation on living organisms could be quantified with density measurements . For example , on an away mission to fix a Malon export vessel , B ' Elanna Torres monitored theta radiation density , since larger densities would be fatal . ( ) Measuring the synaptic density and neural mass of a species was a way to measure how intelligent they are . ( ; ) It could also compare brain capacity between its members . When the met the Vissian s , Doctor Phlox noted the synaptic density and neural mass of the cogenitor on board was almost identical to the males and females , indicating they were not any less capable , as the group claimed . ( ) Density was an important measurement to understand Changeling physiology . Odo was under significant study in his early life , and Julian Bashir noted that Odo ' s density was similar whenever he was in humanoid form , and changed when he changed shape . When he suffered a poison from his people in 2372 , Bashir first noted that Odo ' s density fluctuated rapidly . ( ) The density of particles in space was important to space - dwelling lifeform s that fed on them . For lower - density areas of space , they developed a more porous outer covering and traveled quickly . ( ) The dead bodies of the Vhnori become part of the ambient electromagnetic field surrounding the class D planet they were transported on . As a result , a great deal of variation , pattern complexity , and quantum density occured . ( ) Technology . Controlling the particle density in force field generation was one of the hurdles Starfleet encountered in the 22nd century when developing the technology . ( ) The density of a ship , when combined with its mass , could be used to determine likelihood of carrying cargo . ( ) The density of an orion scout ship could have been too large for the " Enterprise " s sensor s to probe inside it . It could also have been cloak ed . ( ) In the Particle Fountain Project , increasing the density of the Fountain ' s particle stream increased its lift capacity , but also risked overloading the field generator s . As such , it had to be monitored carefully and research was underway in the 2360s to find ways to increase it responsibly . ( ) Density was an important metric for computer chip s . Henry Starling hired an outside company to design a chip for the HyperPro PC , but was not satisfied at its component density . ( ) Field density was a term used to characterize phase coil s . ( ) The density of the moon of Bre ' el IV was asymmetrical , requiring adjustments when the tried to use a tractor beam to change its orbit . ( ) Planets and planetoids . Measuring planetary density was used for several purposes . The density of Earth Two was measured by the as part of the criteria to observe that it was an exact copy of Earth . ( ) The density of 892 - IV was also very similar to Earth . ( ) The density of a planet ' s underground could be measured to reveal structure . When investigating the surface of a planet , Chakotay remarked that the density patterns show artificial waterways and a global aqueduct system . ( ) The density of the surface of Phylos , however , was 600 times denser than lead , making it impenetrable to the " Enterprise " s sensors . ( ) The density of a planet varied significantly from the surface toward the planetary core . When digging , with phasers for example , it was important to understand the density variation as deeper layers are reached and adjust the beam strength accordingly . The " Enterprise " - D dug in such a manner into Atrea IV to carry out ferro - plasmic infusion , and Juliana Tainer adjusted the phaser ' s strength during digging . ( ) The density of a planet ' s atmosphere was important when traveling through . When Jean - Luc Picard was abducted by the Children of Tama , Worf pilot ed a shuttle through the atmosphere of El - Adrel IV , noting the positron density as he did so . ( ) Density variations of volcanic ash varied wildly and were important to monitor when ionizing the dust with a ship ' s phaser s . ( ) Measuring particle density in a gas giant ' s thermosphere could help discern and track other vessels that passed through it . The used density measurements to discern that a Suliban ship was , in fact , several s and determined their heading . ( ) The Waters was maintained by a very stable alien field reactor , however , over time , the inhabiting Moneans ' oxygen refineries increased the ocean density . Eventually this increased pressure on the device , forcing it to transfer power to its own structural integrity field instead of the oceanic containment field . This inadvertent consequence would cause problems for the Moneans . ( ) The Monean s built structures in The Waters with variable - density ballasts , an efficient design for the unique environment . ( ) Stellar phenomena . The density of star s was important to monitor while undergoing changes . During an experiment in helium fusion enhancement by Doctor Timicin , density was monitored . ( ) A negative density false vacuum was a phenomenon that occurred inside a star that was imploding due to spatial disruption s within the Q Continuum . ( ) Interstellar phenomena . Voids in space had zero density . ( ) However , often there was fluctuating radiogenic particle density readings which were normal . Tom Paris used these to hold a betting pool for the crew , calling it the Paris Radiogenic Sweepstakes . ( ) The density of the Galactic barrier was negative . ( ) The density of an asteroid field was important to monitor when shuttles entered to navigate . One such field in the Delphic Expanse encountered radical changes in density due to spatial anomalies , making a mining mission hazardous . ( ) " In 2374 , the density of the micrometeoroid field encountered by was increasing and damaged the hull of the starship . " ( ) The mass and density of incoming asteroids determined whether they would break up a planet ' s atmosphere or stay intact and hit its surface , devastating its environment . One asteroid was heading to Tessen III when the " Enterprise " - D determined it would strike its surface . The ship destroyed it with phaser s and then a particle beam from its deflector dish . ( ) The density of stellar core fragment s could be large enough to affect planetary tectonic activity as it passed by . One such fragment encountered by the " Enterprise " - D had a density of 100 billion kilogram s per cubic centimeter , prompting the crew to warn the inhabitants of nearby Moab IV . ( ) When " Voyager " entered a nebula - like phenomenon , the ambient density inside increased up to seventy percent . ( ) In 2367 , The " Enterprise " - D explored the Mar Oscura Nebula and measured dark matter density . ( ) The density of a dark matter nebula was thinner on the outer edge than inside the nebula . ( ) By finding areas of larger particle density within such a nebula , the dark matter could be excited using metreon particles . ( ) The nebula FGC 47 had a large network of plasma energy strands with irregular density patterns . With larger densities , the strands produced an increasingly resonant effect on a ship ' s shields , thereby applying a drag coefficient to the ship . ( ) Particle density could also help determine the structure of subspace rupture s . When one was detected near Deep Space 9 , Jadzia Dax measured the density structure . ( ) While escaping Gul Evek in the Badlands , Tuvok noted that the plasma storm density increased . ( ) The density of magnetic flux was observed to be large during electromagnetic storm s . ( ) The density of energy field s was useful to quantify how much turbulence a ship would encounter . ( )