Question

A rock sample has a mass of 16 grams and a volume of 8 cubic centimeters. 'When the

rock is cut in half, what is the volume and density of each piece?

Answer 1

Volume= 4 cm³

Density= 2 g/cm³

Explanation:

We have the following data:

volume= V= 8 cm³

mass= m= 16 g

The density is the mass per volume of a substance, so the density of the rock is:

density= d= 16 g/8 cm³= 2 g/cm³

When we cut the rock in half, we have a half volume and a half mass:

V= 8 cm³/2= 4 cm³

m= 16 g/2= 8 g

But the density is not altered because it is an intrisic property - it does not change with the amount of subtance. Thus, the density of a half rock is:

d = m/V= 8 g/4 cm³= 2 g/cm³