Final answer:
The density of zinc is calculated by dividing the mass of zinc by its volume. An 18.2 g sample of zinc with a volume of 2.55 cm³ gives us a density of 7.14 g/cm³, which is option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The density of zinc in g/cm³ can be calculated using the mass and volume of the sample. According to the provided information, we have an 18.2 g sample of zinc with a volume of 2.55 cm³. The density (ρ) is calculated by dividing the mass (m) by the volume (V), using the formula ρ = m/V. Plugging in the numbers: ρ = 18.2 g / 2.55 cm³ = 7.14 g/cm³. Thus, option A) 7.14 g/cm³ is the correct answer.
It is important to note that the density value is consistent with the expectation that metals have a density higher than water. Also, it aligns with another provided piece of information where the density of zinc is mentioned as 7.140 g/cm³. This further confirms the accuracy of our calculated result.