Question

How does the density of a substance determine whether a solid piece of density ${\rho }_s$ of that substance will float or sink in a given liquid of density ${\rho }_L$?

• A. The body will float if ${\rho }_s\le {\rho }_L$ and it will sink if ${\rho }_s<{\rho }_L$.
• B. The body will float if ${\rho }_s\le {\rho }_L$ and it will sink if ${\rho }_s>{\rho }_L$.
• C. The body will float if ${\rho }_s>{\rho }_L$ and it will sink if ${\rho }_s>{\rho }_L$.
• D. The body will float if ${\rho }_s>{\rho }_L$ and it will sink if ${\rho }_s<{\rho }_L$.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The body will float if ${\rho }_s\le {\rho }_L$ and it will sink if ${\rho }_s>{\rho }_L$.

The body will float if ${\rho }_s$ < ${\rho }_L$ and it will sink if ${\rho }_s$ > ${\rho }_L$
If the density of the substance is less than the density of the liquid, then the substance will float in liquid.
If the density of the substance is greater than the density of the liquid, then the substance will sink in liquid.