Solve for the density of the jewelry.

Question

You bought a rectangular jewelry that has dimensions of 14 mm X 21 mm X 35 mm and a mass of 0.0150 kg. You are assuming that the jewelry you bought is a pure gold, as what the seller said. To check if the seller tells the truth or lie, you need to solve for the density of the jewelry. Were you cheated?

Answer 1

So Geroy D.,

You have the rectangular dimensions. Just multiply them up to get the volume of the piece. Then divide the mass by the volume -- that gives the density. You may need to convert units within the metric system so as to match the units quoted for the density of pure gold, which you can look up (it's a very dense metal). Compare the experimental and theoretical densities. Is it a "Eureka" moment?

P.S. You can't necessarily tell if the purity is 24 K from the density! Alloys of gold exist; silver and copper will decrease the density, and platinum will raise it.

-- Cheers, -Mr. d.