Density Calculation for Mineral Sample
Which substance did the student find the density for?
A student has a mineral sample with a mass of 35g and puts it into a graduated cylinder filled with 20 mL of water. The water level rises to 30 mL. The student then compares the results to Augite, Galena, Pyrite, and Sphalerite. Determine which substance she found the density for.
Answer:
The student finds the density for Augite = 3.5 g/cm³.
When the student determines the density of the mineral sample, she calculates it using the formula:
Density = Mass / Volume
The mass of the mineral sample is 35g, and the volume of water displaced by the sample is 10 mL (30mL - 20mL).
Converting the volume to cubic centimeters (cm³), we get 10 cm³.
Substitute the values into the density formula:
Density = 35g / 10 cm³ = 3.5 g/cm³
Therefore, the student calculates the density of the mineral sample to be 3.5 g/cm³, which corresponds to Augite.