1. If the mineral quartz has a specific gravity of 2.7, what is its density (be

Question

1. If the mineral quartz has a specific gravity of 2.7, what is its density (be sure to include the unit in expressing this)?

2. A perfect cube of rock that is 3 cm long on each side weighs 94.5 grams. What is the rock’s density? (hint: calculate the volume of the rock first)

3. A friend excitedly calls and tells you she found a hefty metallic yellow nodule in a nearby stream that weighs 8.7 ounces! Now, you know there are other minerals besides gold that fit that description, but only gold has a specific gravity of 19.3. ‘Quick,’ you ask ‘what is its volume?’ By dropping the nugget into a graduated cylinder half filled with water she reports that the nugget’s volume is 12.757 cm3. Is your friend rich, or has she gotten excited over nothing? Use whatever calculations you think necessary to come to your conclusion and show your work. You may find the following conversions very useful: 1 gram (gm) = 0.035 ounces (oz) 1 oz = 28.3 gm

Explanation / Answer

1. 2.7 g/cc or 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter.

The density of quartz is 2.6 - 2.65,

Average = 2.62.

So, your sample has some other minerals in it, too.

2. The cube has a volume of 27.0 cm^3, or 0.000027 m^3

and it has a mass of 0.0945 kg.

You also need to divide mass by volume, not the other way around.

The actual density is 94.5 g / 27.0 cm^3 (or if you prefer, 0.0945 kg / 0.000027 m^3) = 3.5 g / cm^3 (or 3500 kg / m^3)

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 1
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.