Final answer:
The identity of a sample with a mass of 100.5 g and a volume of 7.42 cm³ is determined by calculating its density and comparing it to the known densities of certain metals. The density of the sample is 13.54 g/cm³, which is closest to the density of mercury (13.55 g/cm³), indicating that the sample is likely mercury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the identity of a sample based on its mass and volume. To determine this, the density of the sample is calculated using the mass and volume given, and then compared with the densities of four substances: gold, mercury, iron, and lead. The density of a substance is defined as the mass per unit volume, and it is expressed as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).
The density of the sample is calculated by dividing the mass by the volume:
Density (d) = \(
\frac{mass}{volume}\) = \(
\frac{100.5\,g}{7.42\,cm^3}\)
By performing the division, we get:
Density (d) = \(13.54\,g/cm^3\)
This calculated density is closest to the density of mercury, which has a density of 13.55 g/cm³. Therefore, the sample is most likely mercury.