Which of the following sets of tools would be best for measuring the density of a small piece of silver ore?

• A. A stopwatch and a burette
• B. A thermometer and a ruler
• C. A balance and a graduated cylinder
• D. A pH meter and a beaker

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that density is defined as mass divided by volume, expressed as \(\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}\).
2. To measure the mass of the silver ore, you need a tool that can accurately measure weight, such as a balance.
3. To measure the volume of the irregularly shaped silver ore, you can use water displacement in a graduated cylinder to find the volume of the object.
4. Using the balance, measure the mass of the silver ore piece.
5. Using the graduated cylinder, measure the volume of water displaced when the silver ore is submerged, which gives the volume of the ore; then calculate density by dividing mass by volume.