Question

Give reason:-

An iron nail floats on mercury but sinks in water.

Answer 1

1. Floating and sinking condition of an object depends on the density of the object.
2. If the density of an object is more than the fluid then it will sink.
3. If the object density of an object is less than the fluid then it will float.
4. Density of iron$(7860\raisebox{1ex}{$kg$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$m^3$}\right.)$ is more than water $(1000\raisebox{1ex}{$kg$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$m^3)$}\right.$ and less than mercury$(13600\raisebox{1ex}{$kg$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$m^3)$}\right.$.
5. So the iron nail floats in mercury and sinks in water.