Question

calculate the density for each substance.
drag and drop the densities and determine if it will sink or float in water.

substance	mass (g)	volume (cm³)	density (g/cm³)	will it float?
corn oil	10.4	13
water	8	8

neither 0.80
sink 1
19.32 float

Explanation:

Step1: Recall density formula

Density ($
ho$) is calculated as $
ho = \frac{\text{mass (m)}}{\text{volume (V)}}$. Water's density is $1\ \text{g/cm}^3$. If a substance's density > $1\ \text{g/cm}^3$, it sinks; if < $1$, it floats; if = $1$, neither (or neutral).

Step2: Calculate gold's density

Gold: $m = 42.5\ \text{g}$, $V = 2.2\ \text{cm}^3$.
$
ho = \frac{42.5}{2.2} \approx 19.32\ \text{g/cm}^3$.
Since $19.32 > 1$, gold sinks.

Step3: Calculate corn oil's density

Corn oil: $m = 10.4\ \text{g}$, $V = 13\ \text{cm}^3$.
$
ho = \frac{10.4}{13} = 0.80\ \text{g/cm}^3$.
Since $0.80 < 1$, corn oil floats.

Step4: Calculate water's density

Water: $m = 8\ \text{g}$, $V = 8\ \text{cm}^3$.
$
ho = \frac{8}{8} = 1\ \text{g/cm}^3$.
Since $1 = 1$, water is neither (or neutral).

Answer:

• Gold: Density = $19.32\ \text{g/cm}^3$, Will it float? = sink
• Corn oil: Density = $0.80\ \text{g/cm}^3$, Will it float? = float
• Water: Density = $1\ \text{g/cm}^3$, Will it float? = neither