What is the Density of a Metal in Water? Understanding the Calculation
Quick Answer
To find the density of a metal, measure its mass and the volume of water it displaces. In this case, the density is calculated as approximately 0.082 g/cm³.
Calculating the density of a metal is an interesting and practical application of science, particularly in understanding the properties of materials. Density is defined as the mass of an object divided by its volume and is commonly expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or grams per milliliter (g/mL).
In the problem at hand, we start with a small piece of metal that has a mass of 989 milligrams. To effectively work with this mass in our calculations, we first convert it to grams since density is typically expressed in grams. There are 1000 milligrams in a gram, so we convert 989 mg to grams by dividing by 1000, resulting in 0.989 grams.
Next, we need to determine the volume of the metal. This can be done using the water displacement method. We begin with 20 milliliters (mL) of water, and after placing the metal into the water, the water level rises to 32 mL. The increase in water volume indicates the volume of the metal piece. We calculate this by subtracting the initial volume of water from the final volume: 32 mL - 20 mL = 12 mL.
It's important to note that 1 mL is equivalent to 1 cm³, so the volume of the metal is 12 cm³. Now we can use the density formula:
**Density = Mass / Volume**
Plugging in the values we've calculated, we find:
**Density = 0.989 grams / 12 cm³ = 0.0824 g/cm³**
For simplicity, we can round this to approximately 0.082 g/cm³.
Understanding density is not only important in academic settings but also has practical applications in everyday life. For example, if you drop various objects into a container of water, you can observe how much water is displaced. This can help you understand whether the object will float or sink based on its density compared to water (which has a density of approximately 1 g/cm³). If an object has a density less than that of water, it will float; if it is more, it will sink.
In summary, to calculate the density of a metal, measure its mass and use the water displacement method to find its volume. This hands-on approach not only solidifies your understanding of the concept but also engages you in practical science. Keep practicing these principles to become more confident in your scientific skills!
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