A scientist is studying rock found within layers of the Earth. She finds a rock with a mass of 72 grams and a volume of 24 cm^3

The table shows the average densities of rocks that are commonly found in the area where the scientist found the rock.
Densities are rounded to the nearest tenth.
Average Densities of Rocks g/cm3
Shale. 2.0
Quartzite. 3.0
Sandstone. 2.5
Marble. 2.7
Limestone. 1.2
According to the data, what type of rock did the scientist find?
(1 point)
Shale
Sandstone
• Limestone
Quartzite

1 answer

To determine the type of rock the scientist found, we first need to calculate the density of the rock she discovered using the formula:

\[ \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} \]

Given that the mass of the rock is 72 grams and the volume is 24 cm³, we can calculate the density as follows:

\[ \text{Density} = \frac{72 \text{ g}}{24 \text{ cm}^3} = 3.0 \text{ g/cm}^3 \]

Now, let's compare this calculated density with the average densities of the rocks provided in the table:

  • Shale: 2.0 g/cm³
  • Quartzite: 3.0 g/cm³
  • Sandstone: 2.5 g/cm³
  • Marble: 2.7 g/cm³
  • Limestone: 1.2 g/cm³

The calculated density of the rock (3.0 g/cm³) matches the density of Quartzite.

Therefore, according to the data, the type of rock the scientist found is Quartzite.