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To: stormer

“Any half competent freshman chemistry student could measure density and tell the difference between gold and tungsten.”

You think? I believe that is false...


10 posted on 12/07/2013 9:59:36 AM PST by babygene ( .)
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To: babygene; stormer
“Any half competent freshman chemistry student could measure density and tell the difference between gold and tungsten.”

You think? I believe that is false...

You're most like correct, babygene. Density = mass / volume. Here are typical density values.

Gold = 19.32 g/mL
Tungsten = 19.35 g/mL

So a gold-coated tungsten bar would have a density a bit below 19.35. Perhaps it would be 19.34.

A chemist just might catch that if he had a VERY precise massing device and a VERY precise volume device. Typical high school lab devices would not catch that small a difference.

And to make it even more confusing, not all scientists will agree on those given densities! There are fluctuations due to temperature, etc. Bottom line, forget density as a test here.

14 posted on 12/07/2013 10:18:24 AM PST by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: babygene

I do think. That’s why I said it.


20 posted on 12/07/2013 10:37:46 AM PST by stormer
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