A cubic centimeter each of quartz, olivine, and native gold weigh 2.5, 3.0, and 19.8 grams respectively. This indicates that ________.
A)gold has a higher density and specific gravity than quartz and olivine
B)olivine melts at a higher temperature than either gold or quartz
C)gold is 6 to 7 times harder than olivine and quartz
D)gold and olivine qualify as silicates, but quartz would not

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The density and specific gravity of a material depend on its mass and volume. As all three cubic centimeters have the same volume, the material with the highest mass (in this case, native gold) will have the highest density and specific gravity. Therefore, gold has a higher density and specific gravity than quartz and olivine.

A Cubic Centimeter Each of Quartz, Olivine, and Native Gold