A student is determining the density of an unknown metal with a mass of 32.56 g. The student partially fills a graduated cylinder with water and measures the volume of the water by itself as 14.78 mL. The student then adds the metal to the water and measures the new volume as 20.44 mL. What is the identity of the metal

The metal is Tin (Sn)

Explanation:

The following data were obtained from the question:

Mass of metal = 32.56 g

Volume of water = 14.78 mL

Volume of water + metal = 20.44 mL

Next, we shall determine the volume of the metal. This is illustrated below:

Volume of water = 14.78 mL

Volume of water + metal = 20.44 mL

Volume of metal =..?

Volume of metal = (Volume of water + metal) – (Volume of water )

Volume of metal = 20.44 – 14.78

Volume of metal = 5.66mL

Next, we shall determine the density of the metal.

Density of a substance is defined as the mass of the substance per unit volume of the substance. Mathematically, the density of a substance is expressed as:

Density = Mass / volume

With the above formula, we can obtain the density of the metal as follow:

Mass of metal = 32.56 g

Volume of metal = 5.66mL

Density =.?

Density = Mass /volume

Density = 32.56g/5.66mL

Density of the metal = 5.75g/mL

Comparing the density of the metal with standard density of elements, the metal is Tin (Sn)