Question

The mass per unit volume of a substance is called density (density = mass/volume). Arrange the following in order of increasing density - air, exhaust from chimney, honey, water, chalk, cotton, and iron.

Answer 1

• The correct order of density of gas, liquid, and solid are:-

Gas < Liquid < Solid

• Air and exhaust from chimneys are in the gaseous state and have a density that is a lot less than that of water. Hence they will float above the water.
• Cotton, despite being a solid, will float on water due to large air pockets between the fibres. Thus, it will come before water in the order.
• Honey, chalk, and iron all have densities greater than water and therefore will sink in water.
• Cotton is denser than both the gaseous materials in this list on account of it being a solid.
• The exhaust from chimneys is denser than air. It has a lot of particulate matter packed in a small volume that increases its density.
• Honey is less dense than both chalk and iron since it is a liquid.
• ​ The given substances in the increasing order of their densities can be represented as:

Conclusion - Air < Exhaust from chimney < Cotton < Water < Honey < Chalk < Iron