What is the term for a material's strength divided by its density?

The term for a material's strength divided by its density is known as specific strength. This measure is significant in engineering and materials science because it provides insight into how effectively a material can carry loads relative to its weight. High specific strength is particularly desirable in applications where weight is a critical factor, such as in aerospace and automotive engineering.

Specific strength allows engineers to select materials that can withstand the necessary forces while minimizing overall weight, enhancing the efficiency and performance of structures and devices. This property is especially important in applications requiring a balance between structural integrity and weight constraints, leading to more efficient designs and energy savings during operation.

Ultimate strength refers to the maximum stress that a material can withstand before failure, but it does not take density into account. Tensile strength measures a material's resistance to being pulled apart, while yield strength indicates the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. None of these terms divide strength by density, which is why specific strength stands out as the correct choice in this context.