To determine whether an element is actually gold, scientists will often determine the density of the element and compare it to the known density of gold (19.3 grams/cubic centimeter, or 19.3 g/cc)
Samples less dense might be mixtures of many elements (not pure gold).
A sample is found to have a mass of 500 g. The sample is a perfect 2 cm cube. Is this sample gold?

Step 1. Identify given and unknown information.
Given info: Mass: 500 g
Volume: 2 cm x 2 cm x 2 cm = 8 cc
Unknown information:
Density: ?

Step 2:
Choose the appropriate formula from the basic scientific equations

Question

To determine whether an element is actually gold, scientists will often determine the density of the element and compare it to the known density of gold (19.3 grams/cubic centimeter, or 19.3 g/cc)
Samples less dense might be mixtures of many elements (not pure gold).
A sample is found to have a mass of 500 g. The sample is a perfect 2 cm cube. Is this sample gold?  

Step 1. Identify given and unknown information.
Given info: Mass: 500 g
Volume: 2 cm x 2 cm x 2 cm = 8 cc
Unknown information:
Density: ?

Step 2: 
Choose the appropriate formula from the basic scientific equations

samgrace · Answer

Density is mass per volume, so 0.5/8 which is 1/16.

samgrace · Answer

or 500 / 8 for grams / cc which is 62.5