Final answer:
The question involves calculating the density of a mineral using its mass and volume and then comparing this value to the known densities of various minerals to identify it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is tasked with using lab equipment and a calculator to compute the density of a mineral and identify it from a given list based on its density values. The procedure involves measuring the mass and volume of the mineral, followed by calculating its density using the formula Density = Mass / Volume. This calculated density can be compared to the provided list of minerals and their densities to determine the identity of the mineral.
As an example, if the given mass of zinc is about 7 grams for 1 cm³, then for 2.5 cm³, the mass would be approximately 17.5 grams. Knowing that metals typically have a density greater than water, the calculated density of zinc would likely fall between the densities of other listed metals. Understanding the relationship between mass, volume, and density is crucial in identifying materials based on their density values.