Chapter-11 Patterns in The Periodic Table

11.1 Calculating density

● The density of a material is its mass in a certain volume.

● Calculate the density using the formula,
density = mass / volume
Answer the following questions:
1). Calculate the mass of an iron cube volume 4 cm3. The density of iron is 7.9 g/cm3.
Density = mass / volume
7.9 g / cm3 = mass / 4 cm3.
Mass = 7.9 x 4 = 31.6 g.
2). A block of wood has a mass of 270g and a volume of 540 cm3. Calculate its density.
Density = mass / volume
= 270 / 540 = 0.5 g / cm3.
3). A room has a volume of 30 m3. The mass of air in the room is 36 kg. Calculate the
density of the air.
Density = mass / volume
= 36 kg / 30 m3 = 1.2 kg / m3.

11.2 Explaining density

● Density depends on state. The density of most substances is greatest in the solid
state, and atleast in the gas state.
● Models and analogies have strengths and limitations.

11.3 Using density

● The density of a material can be calculated by using the formula,

density = mass / volume

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Answer the following questions:
1). Matteo has a diamond. Its mass is 0.30 g. Calculate the volume of the diamond.
Assume that the density of the diamond is 3.50 g/cm3. Give your answer to two
significant figures.
Density = mass / volume
3.50 = 0.30 / volume
Volume = 0.30 / 3.50 = 0.09 cm3.
2). The table gives the density values for some gemstones.
Each gemstone has a range of density. For example, the density of diamond is between
3.50 and 3.53 g/cm3.
Gemstone Density (g/cm3)
Amber 1.05 – 1.09
Diamond 3.50 – 3.53
Garnet 3.78 – 3.85
Lapis lazuli 2.50 – 3.00
Opal 1.88 – 2.50
Sapphire 3.95 – 4.03

[a]. List the gemstones in order of increasing density, lowest density first.
Amber, Opal, Lapis lazuli, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire.
[b]. Gemstone X has a mass of 1.50 g and a volume of 1.40 cm3.
(i). Calculate the density of the gemstone, Using this formula: density = mass / volume
Density = mass / volume
= 1.50 / 1.40 = 1.071 g / cm3.
(ii). Suggest which of the gemstones in the table gemstone X is most likely to be
Amber.
(iii). Suggest two other tests a scientist could do to confirm the identity of the gemstone.
● Test its electrical conductivity
● Measure how much it changes the direction of light.

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