answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

That would depend on the shape / density of the plastic. For something to float, it must have a density less than in what it is floating It may seem odd that an enormous ship can float when steel is more dense than water. However, if you look at the entire ship you see that there are many places filled with things less dense than water, like air. This means that the density of the entire ship is less dense than that of water and it floats. however a steel bar will sink because it doesn't displace its weight in water. To further understand this you need to read about the principle of flotation to answer this question

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

The answer to your question depends on several factors. For example, it depends on the shape of the plastic item. If one were to be permitted to mold the plastic into the shape of a boat, then the answer to your question become "Yes." If, on the other hand, your question is "Will all plastics, in the shape of a solid cube float in water?" Then the answer becomes "No." To place your question into its simplest form, consider that a floating object displaces its weight in water, and a submerged object displaces its volume. So, if you are dealing with a solid cube, then the question merely becomes one of specific gravity. If the solid object has a specific gravity of greater than 1 (unity), then the plastic will sink. If the solid object has a specific gravity of less than unity, then the plastic will float.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

There is a wide variety of plastic, and some of it is less dense than water, and some is more dense. There is also a lot that can be done in the manufacturing process to make the material more or less dense. Polystyrene is a plastic used to make tons of different stuff that you probably see every day. Pieces of this material sink in water. But by "mixing air" into this material during extrusion, it can be made into styrofoam. We all know how good that stuff is at floating. Some plastic sinks and some plastic floats in water, and we have to examine the plastic to determine what's what.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Because plastic is lighter that water so it floats. though not all plastics do float

This answer is:
User Avatar
User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago
Thanks

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
Answer

yes it does.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Most plastics float, but not all of them, it will depend on the actual density and the form that it is in. If it doesn't displace more water than it weighs, it will sink.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

yes for the density of the bottle (plastic) is very small then the density of the water and depending on the volume of the water and whether the bottle have something in it.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

The term "plastic " is far too broad to answer questions like that. There are thousands of plastics and some will float, some will not. Please be more specific in defining the plastic.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

This depends on the density of this piece of plastic.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

SINK

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Does Plasticine sink or float in water?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences