Question

Difficulty: MediumProperties of Matter

A student places an irregularly shaped mineral sample with a mass of 84 g84\text{ g} into a graduated cylinder containing 40 mL40\text{ mL} of water. The water level rises to 68 mL68\text{ mL}. What is the density of the mineral in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3\text{g/cm}^3)?

Answer: 3 g/cm^3

Answer

The density of the mineral is 3 g/cm³.
The volume of the mineral is found through liquid displacement: 68 mL−40 mL=28 mL=28 cm368\text{ mL} - 40\text{ mL} = 28\text{ mL} = 28\text{ cm}^3. Dividing the mass of the mineral (84 g84\text{ g}) by its volume (28 cm328\text{ cm}^3) yields a density of 3 g/cm33\text{ g/cm}^3.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the volume of the mineral using the water displacement method.
Volume = 68 mL - 40 mL = 28 mL = 28 cm³
When a solid is completely submerged, the volume of liquid displaced is equal to the volume of the solid.
2
Calculate the density of the mineral using the formula Density = Mass / Volume.
Density = 84 g / 28 cm³ = 3 g/cm³
Density is a characteristic physical property defined as the amount of mass per unit volume of a substance.

Key Concept

Density and Volume Determination via Water Displacement
Estimated Time:45s
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