Final answer:
Two metal blocks with the same dimensions but different weights suggest they are made of different materials with different densities. A double-pan mechanical balance can verify the difference in weight, but the density will explain why the blocks, while the same size, have different masses.
Step-by-step explanation:
- If two blocks of shiny silver metal have the same width, length, and height, but different weights, it is likely because they are made of different materials with different densities. Density is defined as mass per unit volume, so if both blocks have the same volume but different masses, they must have different densities. This can occur if they are composed of different alloys or pure metals with distinct densities.
- For instance, a block of aluminum will have a lower density and therefore weigh less than an equally-sized block of lead, which has a higher density.
- Using a double-pan mechanical balance, objects of unknown mass can be compared with objects of known mass, such as standard metal cylinders, to determine their weights. When the bar that connects the two pans is horizontal, the masses are equal.
- However, visually comparing weight alone without knowing the material's density can be misleading; hence, the different weights of the metal blocks in question could be due to differences in their material composition and density.