a student is given a 10 gram sample of gold that has a density of 19.32g/cm3. The student is then given a 5 gram sample of an unknown substance and told the density of the unknown substance is 19.32g/cm3. What is the unknown substance
It certainly has the same density as gold. Is it yellow?
To determine the unknown substance, we need to compare its density to the density of the known substance, gold.
Density is defined as mass divided by volume:
Density = Mass/Volume
For the known substance, gold, we have the density as 19.32 g/cm^3 and the mass as 10 grams.
To find the volume of the gold sample, we can use the formula:
Volume = Mass/Density
Volume = 10g / 19.32 g/cm^3 = 0.517 cm^3
Now let's move on to the unknown substance. We know the density of the unknown substance is also 19.32 g/cm^3, but we have a mass of 5 grams.
Using the same formula as before, we can find the volume of the unknown substance:
Volume = Mass/Density
Volume = 5g / 19.32 g/cm^3 = 0.2586 cm^3
Since both the gold sample and the unknown substance have the same density and we have found their respective volumes, we can conclude that the volume of the unknown substance is equivalent to 0.517 cm^3.
Now, to determine the unknown substance, we need to consider substances with a volume of 0.517 cm^3 and a density of 19.32 g/cm^3. One such substance that fits these criteria is platinum. Therefore, the unknown substance is likely platinum.
It is important to note that while platinum is a common substance with a density of 19.32 g/cm^3, other substances with the same density could also be possible. Further testing or analysis may be required to confirm the exact identity of the unknown substance.