How could you identify a pure metal if you have a balance?

2 answers

You have to determine density: mass/volume

There are two main methods of doing that.

mass the object alone, and submerged in water.

density= massalone/volume

but if you mass the object underwater, its mass is reduced by bouyancy, which is volume*densitywater.

massinwater= volume*densitywater

so volume= massinwater/densitywater

densitymetal= massalone*denstiywater/massinwater

Then, compare your measurement with the known density of pure metals.
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