the mass density of a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water is 950kg/m^3. is the mixture mostly water, alcohol, or about half and half. What is your reasoning?
Well, if we're talking about a party drink, then it's safe to assume that it's mostly alcohol because who wants more water at a party, right? But in all seriousness, let's break it down.
The mass density of a mixture is determined by the mass of each component and the volume they occupy. Since the mass density of the mixture is given as 950 kg/m^3, we can conclude that the mixture is closer to pure water than pure alcohol.
The mass density of water is about 1000 kg/m^3, which means that if the mixture was purely water, the mass density would be higher. On the other hand, the mass density of pure ethyl alcohol is about 790 kg/m^3, which is significantly lower than 950 kg/m^3.
Based on this, we can infer that the mixture is mostly water with some ethyl alcohol mixed in. So, if you're trying to stay hydrated while enjoying your drink, it's safe to say that you're getting more water than alcohol.
To determine whether the mixture is mostly water, mostly alcohol, or about half and half, we need to compare the density of the mixture to the densities of pure ethyl alcohol and pure water.
The reasoning behind this is that when two substances are mixed, the resulting density will be between the densities of the individual substances. So, if the density of the mixture is closer to the density of water, it indicates a higher concentration of water, and if the density is closer to the density of alcohol, it indicates a higher concentration of alcohol.
Now, let's compare the density of the mixture (950 kg/m^3) to the densities of pure ethyl alcohol and pure water.
The density of pure ethyl alcohol is about 789 kg/m^3, and the density of pure water is about 1000 kg/m^3.
Since the density of the mixture (950 kg/m^3) is closer to the density of water (1000 kg/m^3) than to the density of ethyl alcohol (789 kg/m^3), we can conclude that the mixture is mostly water.
So, the reasoning is based on comparing the density of the mixture to the densities of the individual substances and determining which one is closer. In this case, since the density of the mixture is closer to the density of water, it indicates that the mixture is mostly water.