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Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 13th Edition
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 91

Consider the following solids. The solids A, B, and C represent aluminum (D = 2.70g/mL), and silver (D = 10.5 g/mL). If each has a mass of 10.0 g, what is the identity of each solid?
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Step 1: Recall the formula for density, which is \( D = \frac{m}{V} \), where \( D \) is density, \( m \) is mass, and \( V \) is volume. Rearrange the formula to solve for volume: \( V = \frac{m}{D} \).
Step 2: Identify the given values for each solid. The mass of each solid is \( 10.0 \, \text{g} \), and the densities of aluminum and silver are \( 2.70 \; \text{g/mL} \) and \( 10.5 \; \text{g/mL} \), respectively.
Step 3: Calculate the volume of each solid using the formula \( V = \frac{m}{D} \). For aluminum, substitute \( m = 10.0 \, \text{g} \) and \( D = 2.70 \; \text{g/mL} \). For silver, substitute \( m = 10.0 \, \text{g} \) and \( D = 10.5 \; \text{g/mL} \).
Step 4: Compare the calculated volumes to the visual representation of the solids in the image. The solid with the largest volume corresponds to aluminum (lower density), and the solid with the smallest volume corresponds to silver (higher density).
Step 5: Match the calculated volumes to the sizes of solids A, B, and C in the image to identify their identities. The largest solid is aluminum, and the smallest solid is silver.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Density

Density is defined as mass per unit volume, typically expressed in grams per milliliter (g/mL) for solids and liquids. It is a crucial property that helps identify materials, as different substances have unique densities. In this question, the densities of aluminum (2.70 g/mL) and silver (10.5 g/mL) are provided, allowing for the identification of the solids based on their mass and volume.
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Mass and Volume Relationship

The relationship between mass and volume is fundamental in determining density. For a given mass, the volume can be calculated using the formula: Volume = Mass / Density. In this scenario, since each solid has a mass of 10.0 g, the volume can be derived from the known densities, which will help in identifying each solid based on their respective volumes.
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Material Identification

Material identification involves using physical properties, such as density, to distinguish between different substances. By calculating the volume of each solid using their mass and known densities, one can match the calculated volumes to the expected volumes for aluminum and silver. This process is essential in determining which solid corresponds to which material in the given problem.
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