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Materials: Density

Q5. The photo shows a rock found by Andrew on a beach. To help identify the type of rock, he took measurements to determine its density.

(a) Describe a method Andrew could use to determine the density of the rock.

[6 marks]

(b) Andrew determined the density of the rock to be 2.55 ± 0.10 g/cm3.

What are the maximum and minimum values for the density of the rock?

[1 mark]

(c) The table below gives the density of five different types of rock.

Type of rock
Density in g/cm3
Basalt
2.90 ± 0.10
Chalk
2.35 ± 0.15
Flint
2.60 ± 0.10
Sandstone
2.20 ± 0.20
Slate
2.90 ± 0.20

 

Which of the following two types of rock could be the type of rock the student had?

(Tick one box).

Basalt or chalk  
Chalk or flint  
Flint or sandstone  
Sandstone or slate  

[1 mark]

(d) Andrew only took one set of measurements to determine the density of the rock.

Explain why taking the measurements more than once may improve the accuracy of the density value.

[2 marks]

[Total: 10 marks]