You can figure out whether a substance floats or sinks if you know its density a

Question

You can figure out whether a substance floats or sinks if you know its density and the density of the liquid. In which of the liquids listed below will polystyrene (PS) float? (PS is a common polymer used to make plastic with a density of 1.07 g/mL). Substance Density () Properties, Uses Ethylene glycol 1.1088 Toxic; major component of automobile antifreeze Water 0.9997 Ethanol 0.7893 Alcohol in alcoholic beverages Methanol 0.7914 Toxic; gasoline additive to prevent gas line freezing Acetic acid 1.0492 Component of vinegar Glycerol 1.2613 Solvent used in home care products (Select all that apply.) Ethanol Acetic acid Methanol Ethylene glycol Water Glycerol None

Explanation / Answer

If density of the material is less than the density of liquid then and then only the material will float on the liquid.

Density of PS is 1.07 g/mL.

Ethylene glycol and Glycerol have density 1.1088 and 1.2613 g/mL so, PS will only float on these two liquids.

All other water ,acetic acid ,ethanol and methanol have lesser density than PS so, PS will sink in all of these liquids.

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