Final answer:
The specific gravity of sylvite is calculated by determining its volume and density first. The volume is found by multiplying the given dimensions, and the density is the mass divided by this volume. Specific gravity is then the density value divided by the density of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the specific gravity of sylvite, you first need to determine its volume and then use its mass to find its density. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of the mineral to the density of water.
The volume (V) of a rectangular solid is found by multiplying its length (L), width (W), and height (H):
V = L × W × H
V = 15.81 cm × 16.05 cm × 12.45 cm
V = 3167.834225 cm³.
Now, to find the density (d), you divide the mass (m) of the sylvite by its volume:
d = m / V
d = 6278.44 g / 3167.834225 cm³
d ≈ 1.981 g/cm³.
Since the density of water at room temperature is approximately 1 g/cm³, the specific gravity (SG) of sylvite is therefore about:
SG = d / 1 g/cm³
SG ≈ 1.981.
Sylvite's specific gravity is around 1.981, which differentiates it from other minerals and can be used as an identifying property.