Question

A graduated cylinder contains 50 mL of water. You carefully place a rock into the cylinder, causing the water level to rise to 70 mL. If the mass of the rock is 100 grams, explain how to calculate the density of the rock in two to four sentences. Describe each step of the process and provide the final density value for full points. You may write your answer in complete sentences or as a numbered/bulleted list but you must explain all steps for full points. (4 points)

Answer 1

To calculate the density of the rock, follow these steps:

1. Determine the volume of the rock: Measure the change in water level in the graduated cylinder. The initial water level was 50 mL, and after adding the rock, it rose to 70 mL. Therefore, the volume of the rock is 70 mL - 50 mL = 20 mL.

2. Use the mass of the rock: The mass of the rock is given as 100 grams.

3. Calculate the density: Density is calculated using the formula \( \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} \). So, substituting the values: \( \text{Density} = \frac{100 \text{ grams}}{20 \text{ mL}} = 5 \text{ grams/mL} \).

Thus, the density of the rock is 5 grams/mL.