How do I find the density of sand particles in this question?

Question

An experiment was performed in which an empty 100 mL graduated cylinder was weighed. It was weighed once again after it had been filled to the 10.0 mL mark with dry sand. A 10mL pipet was used to transfer 10.0 mL of methanol to the cylinder. Use the data (below) to find the density of dry sand, the density of methanol, and the density of sand particles.

Mass of cylinder plus wet sand 45.2613 g
Mass of cylinder plus dry sand 37.3488 g
Mass of empty cylinder 22.8317 g
Volume of dry sand 10.0 mL
Volume of sand + methanol 17.6 mL
Volume of methanol 10.00 mL

I was able to get the first two densities, but how do you find the density of sand particles?

@cattbarf:

That seems to me like it would be the way to find the density of dry sand, but I need to find the density of 'sand particles', which I don't completely understand myself.

Answer 1

Well, there are spaces between the sand particles ad the fluid occupies these spaces. If I were to use that assumption to calculate the density of sand particles, I'd have to say that the sand particles only occupy a volume of 7.6mL. They weigh the same as the dry particles, so use that mass to calculate the density.

However, if sand particles refers to sand+methanol, the use the weight of the wet sand (45.2613-22.8317)g and volume 17.6mL to calculate the density of the sand particles.

I'd do both calculations if I were you to be on the safe side.

Answer 2

Take mass of cylinder plus dry sand and subtract mass of empty cylinger. Divide the residual by 10 ml to get density in g/ml.

Answer 3

difficult thing. look onto yahoo and bing. that can help!