Final answer:
The density of the metal block is calculated using the formula density = mass/volume, yielding a result of approximately 8.31 g/cm³, which aligns with typical metallic density values.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the density of the metal block, we need to use the formula density = mass / volume. The volume of the metal block can be calculated by multiplying its width, length, and height. We have a width of 3.2 cm, a length of 17.1 cm, and a height of 3.3 cm. So, the volume is 3.2 cm × 17.1 cm × 3.3 cm, which equals 180.432 cm³. Now, with a mass of 1.5 kg (which is 1500 grams), we can determine the density by dividing the mass by the volume. Therefore, the density is 1500 g / 180.432 cm³, which equals approximately 8.31 g/cm³. This calculation confirms that metals have densities greater than that of water and that the result falls within the expected range for metallic substances.