Question

`rho_"glycerol"=1.20*g*mL^-1`. What volume is associated with a `43.7*g` mass?

Answer 1

Approx. `36*mL`

Explanation:

`"Density, "rho` `=` `"Mass"/"Volume"`

Thus `"Volume"` `=` `"Mass"/rho`

`=` `(43.7*g)/(1.20*g*mL^-1)` `=` `??mL`.

Note that this answer is consistent dimensionally. We were asked to find a volume. We got an answer in `mL`, which is an internal check that we have made the right calculation.

As you can see, `rho_"glycerol"` is greater than `rho_"water"`. Glycerol is a sticky and viscous liquid; it is also infinitely soluble in water. Can you suggest a reason why glycerol should have these properties?