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If an object sinks in water what is its density as compared to the density of the water?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
If the water is denser than the object it will definitely float.
However a denser object will not always sink.
The idea of something "sinking" depends on what action you are talking about. It is obviously true that very heavy boats do not "sink" but float happily on the surface of water. (Imagine a simple aluminum row boat where aluminum is almost three times the density of water.) If the boat is submerged however, it stays submerged. The operative principle of physics says that the boat displaces a volume of water with a weight equal to the weight of the boat that is floating, so obviously boats are shaped the way they are to displace enough water to keep them above the surface.
So, the simple answer is that an object with a density greater than water will not float to the surface if it is submerged but an object with a density less than water will float to the surface.
If you wish to consider complexities beyond merely the density, then you can include the phenomenon of surface tension in keeping small objects floating even if they are more dense than water. That is a small force relevant for small objects and a topic of such complexity that it is not likely to be part of the answer to the question that was posed.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe easy answer to this question is that the object has a higher density than water. But depending on the objects, shape, it may still float. For example an object made of steal, but shaped like a bowl is likely to float. Even though its density is greater than that of water it floats. In cases like this you must calculate the air inside the bowl as part of the density calculation to determine whether or not it will sink. This new density may be different than the density of the object. Buoyancy calculations might be more handy with complex shaped items.
But for most cases. Smaller density = float. Higher density = sink.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoOnly that it is more dense than the water.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIf ice cubes sink in a liquid, we know that the density of the liquid is less than the density of the ice. The liquid does not have the buoyancy to support the ice and cause it to float.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agono....it has to float to have a lower density
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When you compare the density of water or air with another object how can you tell which has the lower or higher density?
-- If the object floats in water, then its density is less than the density of water. -- If the object sinks in water, then its density is more than the density of water. -- If the object floats in air, then its density is less than the density of air. -- If the object sinks in air, then its density is less than the density of air.
If an object sinks when being placed in water its density is?
To sink, the object's density must be greater than the density of water.To sink, the object's density must be greater than the density of water.To sink, the object's density must be greater than the density of water.To sink, the object's density must be greater than the density of water.
How can you determine whether a soild object is more dense or less dense than water?
You can put a uniform object into water.If it sinks density is higher than water,if floats lesser than water.If you can place anywhere in water,density is equal to water.
How does the density of an object that sinks into a fluid compare to the density of the fluid?
Oh boy. Density is the mass per volume...grams per cubic centimeter, tons per cubic yard, whatever. Water's density is one gram per cubic centimeter. An object with lower density than water will sink into water until the number of cubic centimeters corresponding to the mass of the object are below the surface of the water. If the object is 100 cubic centimeters and it weighs 50 grams, half of it will be below the surface and half above. This is buoyancy, or "floating." Cool so far? If an object's density is more than one gram per cubic centimeter, the whole thing will be below the surface of the water. Because the water can't support the weight of the item, it will sink to the bottom given enough time. If it sinks, its density is greater than water...but without weighing it, we can't say how much greater because an item with mass of 5 grams and density of 1.1 grams per cc will sink as surely as a 300-pound anvil with density of 7.2 grams per cc. It just won't do it quite as fast.
Why iron nail sinks in water?
its density is greater than water, so it sinks.
When you compare the density of water or air with another object how can you tell which has the lower or higher density?
-- If the object floats in water, then its density is less than the density of water. -- If the object sinks in water, then its density is more than the density of water. -- If the object floats in air, then its density is less than the density of air. -- If the object sinks in air, then its density is less than the density of air.
What happens if an object of higher density is placed in water?
Higher than what ?? If the object's density is higher than the density of water, then the object sinks in the water.
How do you know an object has a density greater than water?
If an object placed in water sinks - then it has a density greater than water.
If an object sinks in water what is its dencity?
More than the density of water.
What is the effect of sugar compared to water on density?
Sugar has a greater density than water. This is obvious from the fact that it sinks in water. If you add sugar to water, the water's density increases.
What is density in everyday terms?
Density is how well an object would float when put into water. Water has a density of 1, so if the object floats, it's density is less then 1. If the object sinks, then it's density is greater then 1.
Why do some objects float and others sink?
Whether an object floats or sinks is a function of its relative density, to the medium in which it is placed. If the object is less dense, it floats, If it is more dense, it sinks. Density = Mass per unit Volume
What causes something to sink or float?
What causes it to sink or float is the density. The density of water is 1.0. If the object's density is more 1.0 then it sinks, but if the object's density is less then 1.0 then the object will float.
When will an object an object sink?
an objects sinks when its density is more than that of water...... that means when the density of the material is more than 1g/cm3
Does a piece of rubber sinks in salt water?
This depends on the density of this object; if the density is over 1 g/cm3 the piece sink in water.
How do things sink and float?
it depends on the density of the object and the density of the liquid that it's in. if the density of the object is greater than the density of the liquid, then the object will sink. if the density of the object is lesser than the density of the liquid, the object will float.
Does copper sink in water?
Copper does not sink in water.. An object with higher density than water sinks while an object with lower density than water floats..
