Question

Metal
Nickel
Silver
Lead
Mercury
Density (g/cm)
8.9
10.5
11.35
13.55
Mr. Keans's class is doing a lab to determine the identity of an unknown metal. Use the table to help determine
the identity of a metal that has a mass of 89 grams and occupies 10 cm of space.
O Nickel
O Silver
O Lead
O Mercury

Answer 1

Answer:

$\boxed {\boxed {\sf A. \ Nickel}}$

Explanation:

First, we must find the density of the unknown metal.

Density is found by dividing the mass by the volume.

$d=\frac{m}{v}$

The mass of the metal is 89 grams and the density is 10 cubic centimeters.

$m= 89 \ g \\d= 10 \ cm^3$

Substitute the values into the formula.

$d=\frac{89 \ g}{10 \ cm^3}$

Divide.

$d= 8.9 \ g/cm^3$

Now we know the density and can identify the unknown metal.

• Nickel: 8.9 g/cm³
• Silver: 10.5 g/cm³
• Lead: 11.35 g/cm³
• Mercury: 13.55 g/cm³

The density matches nickel's density. Therefore, this metal must be nickel.