The volume of the metal piece is calculated by subtracting the initial water volume from the final volume after submerging the metal, which is 32.5 mL.
To determine the volume of the metal chunk, the student performed water displacement in a graduated cylinder. Initially, the water level was at 150.0 mL, and after adding the metal, it rose to 182.5 mL. The increase in volume, 32.5 mL (182.5 mL - 150.0 mL), corresponds to the volume of the metal chunk.
This method relies on Archimedes' principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. In this case, the metal displaces an equivalent volume of water, leading to the observed increase in volume.
Now, the volume of the metal piece can be used in conjunction with its mass to calculate its density, a characteristic property of substances. Density is defined as mass per unit volume (density = mass/volume), and knowing both the mass and volume of the metal allows for this calculation.
This experiment showcases fundamental principles in physics, providing insights into density, buoyancy, and the practical application of these concepts in determining the volume of irregularly shaped objects through water displacement.