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A student checks the volume, melting point, and shape of two unlabeled samples of matter and finds that the measurements are identical. From this, he concludes that the samples have the same composition. What is wrong with his thinking?

User Weeo
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Final answer:

The student's conclusion that the samples have the same composition based on identical measurements of volume, melting point, and shape is incorrect. Different substances can have the same physical properties, but different chemical compositions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's conclusion that the samples have the same composition based on identical measurements of volume, melting point, and shape is incorrect. While these measurements can provide some information about the properties of the samples, they do not indicate their composition. Different substances can have the same physical properties, but different chemical compositions. For example, two substances may have the same melting point but different compositions. Therefore, additional tests, such as chemical analysis, are required to determine the composition of the samples.

User Frasertweedale
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