what is the density of benzoic acid in grams per milliliter
The correct answer and explanation is:
The density of solid benzoic acid is approximately 1.32 grams per milliliter (g/mL) at room temperature (around 25°C).
Explanation:
Density is a fundamental physical property of matter that describes how much mass is contained within a given volume. It is defined as mass divided by volume (ρ = m/V). For solids and liquids, density is commonly expressed in units of grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or grams per milliliter (g/mL), which are equivalent units since 1 cm³ equals 1 mL.
Benzoic acid is a white crystalline solid, an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₅COOH. It is widely used as a food preservative (E number E210) and in the synthesis of various organic chemicals. As a pure crystalline solid, it has a specific and measurable density under given conditions.
The quoted density of approximately 1.32 g/mL means that every milliliter of solid benzoic acid occupies 1.32 grams of mass. This value is an intrinsic property of the substance, meaning it’s specific to benzoic acid when pure and in its solid state. Density is an important characteristic for chemists and material scientists as it helps in identification, quality control, and performing calculations related to mass and volume in experiments or industrial processes.
It’s worth noting that density is slightly dependent on temperature. As temperature increases, most solids, including benzoic acid, undergo thermal expansion, causing their volume to increase slightly while their mass remains constant. This leads to a small decrease in density at higher temperatures. The value of 1.32 g/mL is a standard reference value, typically measured or quoted at 25°C. Precise applications requiring extreme accuracy might use density values specific to the working temperature, often found in detailed chemical handbooks or databases.