How Density Determines Floating and Sinking
What happens when a piece of silver is placed in olive oil?
A. The silver will sink because it is less dense than olive oil
B. The silver will float because it is less dense than olive oil
C. The silver will sink because it is more dense than olive oil
D. The silver will float because it is more dense than olive oil
Answer
C. The silver will sink because it is more dense than olive oil
Density plays a crucial role in determining whether an object will sink or float in a liquid. In this case, the density of silver is 10.5g/cm3, while the density of olive oil is 0.92g/cm3. The denser the object, the more likely it is to sink.
When a piece of silver is placed in olive oil, the silver will sink because it is more dense than olive oil. This is because the density of silver is much higher compared to the density of olive oil. Therefore, the silver will displace the olive oil as it sinks to the bottom of the container.
Understanding density can help us predict how objects will interact with different liquids and why certain objects will either float or sink. It's fascinating to see the effects of density in action and how it influences the behavior of objects in fluids.