I would STRONGLY suggest that you do not play around with hydrochloric acid. Breathing the fumes is highly dangerous, not to mention getting it on your skin or in your eyes. It will also not dissolve pyrite.
If the volumes of the samples of pyrite and gold are equal, you cannot directly determine the number of samples without knowing the specific mass or density of each material. Pyrite has a lower density (about 5 g/cm³) compared to gold (about 19.3 g/cm³), meaning that for the same volume, a sample of gold would weigh significantly more than a sample of pyrite. Therefore, while the volumes may be equal, the mass of gold will be greater than that of pyrite.
Early prospectors used density to determine whether they had found gold or pyrite by comparing the weight of the mineral sample to its volume. Gold has a higher density than pyrite, so a sample of gold would feel heavier for its size compared to a sample of pyrite. By calculating the density of the sample using the formula density = mass/volume, prospectors could determine if they had found gold or pyrite based on the density value obtained.
Mostly, yes. Gold has a deep yellow colour, while pyrite often has a silvery haze over it. If you have a large sample, it's even easier, as pyrite forms perfect cubic crystals.
Pyrite has a density of 4.8-5g/cm3 mass = density x volume = (4.8-5)g/cm3 x 10 cm3 = 48 to 50 grams.
Prospectors used the physical property of density to differentiate between iron pyrite and gold. Gold is denser than iron pyrite, so prospectors could use the weight of a sample to determine whether it was more likely to be gold or iron pyrite.
It depends. Pyrite (or "fool's gold) is a mineral that can contain 0.25 percent or more of gold. If a pyrite sample contains this amount, and assuming the price of gold is $1500 per troy ounce, then one ton of pyrite would be worth a little over $100,000.
No. ----------- Well, maybe and maybe not. Not ALL pyrite is magnetic, but some is. That said, Iron Pyrite, or fool's gold, can be tested for by a malleability test. Using a pin, or a pocket knife, try to cut or 'stab' the sample in question. If it bends to the point or blade, it is most-likely gold. If it shatters or breaks, it is most-likely either Iron Pyrite or Mica. In 20-years of hobby-prospecting, the pocket-knife test is the best. That, and visually inspecting in direct sunlight where possible. Gold will have luster in and out of direct sunlight. Iron Pyrite will not display luster out of direct sunlight. Final test for Iron Pyrite is Specific Gravity. Gold is 19.3, while Iron Pyrite is 5 (+/-0.1). With a pan, you can easily differentiate Iron Pyrite from Gold by stratification in a soil sample.
Sample F on the Gizmo is pyrite, a common mineral known for its metallic luster and golden color. It is also known as "fool's gold" because of its resemblance to real gold.
The sample that has the largest surface area will dissolve the fastest in dilute hydrochloric acid because more surface area allows for more contact between the sample and the acid, increasing the rate of dissolution.
A powdered sample would dissolve the fastest when placed in a container of dilute hydrochloric acid. The increased surface area of the particles allows for more interactions between the sample and the acid, leading to faster dissolution.
Pyrite has a metallic luster and a brassy-yellow color. One way to identify it as pyrite would be to perform a streak test by sliding the sample across an unglazed tile with a little bit of pressure. Pyrite will leave a greenish black streak on the unglazed tile. After exposure to flame, pyrite will have a slight sulfur odor due to its chemical composition. Pyrite will also spark when struck against steel. Pyrite has an uneven fracture and is brittle when struck. The mineral may appear as cubic in shape, or often octahedral with crystal face striation. It has a specific gravity of around 5.0, which will seem heavy to a comparably sized rock. Finally, pyrite has a Mohs hardness of 6.0-6.5.
Pyrite also known as "fool's gold" is a mineral that has both a different chemical, morphological and physical characteristics than gold. Gold is denser (i.e. the same size of gold is much heavier than the that of pyrite). Gold's average density is 17.64 g/cm3 while Pyrite's density is on average 5.01 g/cm3. The chemical formulas are different. Gold's chemical formula is "Au" while Pyrite's is and iron sulfate mineral with a formula of "FeS2". The color is also different, gold appears the color of gold while pyrite is more bronze in color. The crystallographic form of the minerals also vary. Gold is a very soft mineral while Pyrite is much harder (gold has a hardness of 2.5 while Pyrite is 6.5). To distinguish between a sample of each, you could scratch the surface of gold using your fingernail which you would not be able to do with pyrite. You can try to scratch it because pyrite or fools gold much harder then gold so if it doesn't scratch that much it is most likely pyrite or fools gold. You can tell them apart by looking at their reflection and streak. Also, gold is much more dense than pyrite, so the same volume would 'weigh' about 3.5 times more. Gold has a hardness of about 2.5, while pyrite is about 6 (Gold is softer and more malable). Streak is used to distinguish between Gold and Pyrite.