Question

A sample is known to be 50% gold that has been mixed with one other element. The entire sample has a density of 13.22. What element makes up the other 50% of the sample?

A) Silver.
B) Copper.
C) Platinum.
D) Iron.

Answer 1

To determine the other element in a 50% gold sample with a specific density, compare the density of gold with the given options to find which element matches the given mixture density.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked how to determine the other element in a 50% gold sample with a density of 13.22 g/cm3, given a choice of four elements. To solve this, we need to consider the known density of gold (19.3 g/cm3), and the densities of the other elements provided as options. By comparing the average density of the 50% gold and 50% unknown element mixture to the known densities of the potential elements, we can deduce which element, when combined with gold in equal parts by mass, would result in an overall density of 13.22 g/cm3. The correct element will be one with a density close to, but less than double of 13.22 g/cm3, since mixing it with gold (which has a higher density) should result in the average density given.