Calculate the density of composite materials

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the density of composite materials based on weight percentages of their atomic components. Participants explore the limitations of available information and the complexities involved in determining density without additional context or data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a simple explanation for calculating density given only weight percentages of atoms, specifically mentioning aluminum and oxygen.
  • Another participant notes that without additional information, such as the identity of the remaining 99% of the material, it is challenging to calculate density.
  • It is pointed out that knowing the composition alone is insufficient to determine density, using carbon as an example with its different forms (graphite and diamond) having distinct densities.
  • Some participants suggest that while predicting density for composites might be easier due to reduced packing variations, the lack of information still poses a significant challenge.
  • One participant argues that predicting density is complex, referencing phase diagrams for alloys and ice as examples of this complexity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the provided information is insufficient for calculating density, but there is disagreement regarding the predictability of density in composite materials and the implications of phase diagrams.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to missing information about the complete composition of the material and the complexities involved in predicting density based on partial data.

sasan98
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TL;DR
Calculate the density of composite materials
Hello
Please help me. I'm not a chemistry student and I don't have a chemistry-related course, so please explain in a very simple way. Thank you.
I have a composite composition that I only have the weight percentage of atoms and I need to calculate the density so that I can check the properties of the material, for example, Al is 0.6%, O is 0.4%.
 
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sasan98 said:
TL;DR Summary: Calculate the density of composite materials

Hello
Please help me. I'm not a chemistry student and I don't have a chemistry-related course, so please explain in a very simple way. Thank you.
I have a composite composition that I only have the weight percentage of atoms and I need to calculate the density so that I can check the properties of the material, for example, Al is 0.6%, O is 0.4%.
If that is the only information you have, then there is not much you can calculate.

(For example, even if you know that your sample is 100% carbon, is it diamond or graphite?)
 
sasan98 said:
for example, Al is 0.6%, O is 0.4%.

What about remaining 99%?

(Not that it will help much - as @DrClaude already wrote, there is not enough information to proceed.)
 
To make what @DrClaude said explicit: The density of graphite is 2.26 g/cc. The density of diamond is 3.51 g/cc. Both graphite and diamond are 100% carbon. Composition is not enough to determine density.
 
Frabjous said:
To make what @DrClaude said explicit: The density of graphite is 2.26 g/cc. The density of diamond is 3.51 g/cc. Both graphite and diamond are 100% carbon. Composition is not enough to determine density.
Interestingly, it's probably easier to make some predictions about the density of composites as the number of ways the material is likely to pack is probably reduced. Still not enough information, though.
 
I don't think this is easy to predict - look at the phase diagram for alloys. Not at all simple. Heck, look at one for ice.
 

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