Understanding the Incorrect Calculation of Pyrite Mass by a Student

Explanation of Incorrect Calculation:

Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance. The student mistakenly used the density of water (2 g/cm³) instead of the actual density of pyrite.

Pyrite has a density of about 5 g/cm³, not 2 g/cm³ as assumed by the student. This means the student's calculation of mass was based on the wrong density value, leading to an incorrect result.

The correct density of pyrite impacts the mass calculation significantly, as the density values determine how much mass is contained in a given volume of the substance.

By understanding the difference between the density of water and the actual density of pyrite, the student can make the correct calculation for the mass of the sample.

Actual Mass of the Sample:

The actual mass of the 10 cm³ sample of pyrite can be calculated based on the correct density of pyrite (5 g/cm³).

Using the formula mass = density x volume, the mass of the 10 cm³ sample would be 5 g/cm³ x 10 cm³ = 50 g.

Therefore, the actual mass of the 10 cm³ sample of pyrite is 50 grams, not 2 grams as incorrectly calculated by the student.