Question

gizmo warm - up the density experiment: slice and dice gizmo allows you to compare different - sized pieces of the same material. 1. check that polystyrene is selected. drag the whole polystyrene piece into the water. does it sink or float? 2. click reset, and then click slice to cut the polystyrene into pieces. drag each piece into the water and then back to the block. what happens? 3. how do you think the amount of a material affects its tendency to sink or float? 4. what would happen if you broke the rock into little pieces, then threw the pieces into water?

Explanation:

Step1: Understand buoyancy principle

The tendency to sink or float depends on density compared to water. If density of material > density of water, it sinks; if density of material < density of water, it floats.

Step2: Consider the nature of polystyrene

Polystyrene is less dense than water. Whether it is a whole piece or broken into smaller pieces, its density remains the same relative to water.

Step3: Answer question 1

Since polystyrene is less - dense than water, it will float whether as a whole piece or in smaller pieces.

Step4: Answer question 2

When polystyrene pieces are put in water, they will float on the surface of the water because of their lower density.

Step5: Answer question 3

The amount of a material does not affect its tendency to sink or float as long as its density relative to the liquid (water here) remains the same. Density is a characteristic property of a substance and does not change with the amount of the substance.

Step6: Answer question 4

Similar to polystyrene, if a rock is broken into little pieces, its density relative to water does not change. If the rock is denser than water (most rocks are), the little pieces will sink just like the whole rock would.

Answer:

1. It floats.
2. It floats on the surface of the water.
3. The amount of material does not affect its tendency to sink or float as long as its density relative to water remains the same.
4. If the rock is denser than water, the little pieces will sink.