Why do metal spoons have more mass than plastic spoons?
What is the reason behind the difference in mass between metal and plastic spoons?
Metals have higher density than plastics. Hence they weigh more on small volume. Therefore a metal spoon has higher mass than a plastic spoon.
Answer:
The reason for the difference in mass between a metal spoon and a plastic spoon is due to the difference in density. Metals have higher density compared to plastics.
Density: Density of an object is the measure of the mass per unit volume of the substance. It describes how closely its particles are packed in its volume. The density of a substance depends on the bond type, pressure, and temperature.
Metals: Metals are electropositive elements with greater densities. The metallic particles are held together by strong metal-metal bonds, making the metal lattice denser and harder.
Therefore, a metal spoon will have greater density and thereby mass in a given volume than a plastic spoon, which has very low density compared to metals.