Question

A droplet of pure mercury has a density of 13.6 g/cm3. What is the density of a sample of pure mercury that is 10 times as large as the droplet?

Answer 1

The density will be the same.  Since the two materials are identical, there will be an equal density in both drops. 


In the first drop, lets say there is 1 cm3 of pure mercury, weighing 13.6 g.  The density is 13.6g/1 cm3, or 13.6g/cm3.

In the second sample, 10 times larger, it is 10cm3 of pure mercury, but it also has 10 times larger mass, at 136g.  This is 136g/10cm3, which simplifies to the same 13.6g/cm3.

Hope that helps!