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I think plastics float because they have a molecular density which is relatively lower than that of water, hence the plastic floating.

It also occupies space in water which doesn't enough weight thus the plastic toy float(mind heavy iron ship floats in water in this principal).

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14y ago

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The specific gravity of a product can be found on the material safety sheet how do you know if a product will flow in water?

You can determine if a product will float or sink in water based on its specific gravity compared to that of water. If a product's specific gravity is less than 1, it will float in water. If it is greater than 1, it will sink. You can find this information on the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the product.


What common household items float on salt water?

Items that commonly float on salt water include plastic bottles, rubber ducks, styrofoam, and certain types of wood. These materials are less dense than salt water, allowing them to float.


A plastic disks density is less than water but greater than oil if you put all three together in a glass container where would you see the plastic disk?

The plastic disk would float on top of the water but sink below the layer of oil in the glass container. This is because the density of the plastic disk is in between that of water and oil.


How do you know a product will float in water using specific gravity of a product using a material safety data sheet?

specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the density of the sample/the density of water. So the specific gravity of water is 1. Anything more dense than water will have a specific gravity above 1 and will sink. Anything less dense than water will have a specific gravity below 1 and will float.


Does real silver sink?

yes generally silver will sink in water as it is denser than water. but if it is a thin sheet of silver it will not sink and will float on water

Related Questions

Do plastic boats sink or float?

All plastic items float on water, so therefore a plastic boat floats on water.


Do a plastic button float yes or no?

Yes, a plastic button can float in water depending on its design, shape, and density. Generally, plastic buttons have a low density which allows them to float on the surface of water.


Does plastic float on hot water?

This really depends on how dense the plastic is. If it is denser than water, plastic will sink at the bottom. The temperature of the water does not affect whether or not something will float on that liquid.


Can a plastic bowl float?

Yes, a plastic bowl can float on water because plastic is less dense than water. This means that it displaces enough water to stay afloat.


Dose all plastic float in oil?

plastic will float in water because it is lighter than oil


Will plastic float in water?

Some plastics will float in water and others will sink. It depends on the type of plastic and in particular it depends on the density of the plastic material. This property is used as a method for separating the different plastics sent for recycling. Polyethylene and Polypropylene, for example, will float in water while PVC and ABS will sink.


Can plastic ball float on water?

Yes, plastic balls can float on water because they are less dense than water. The buoyant force acting upward on the plastic ball is greater than the gravitational force acting downward on it, allowing it to float.


Does a piece of plastic float in salt water?

"Plastic" isn't a single thing. There are very light plastics that float in salt water, and very dense plastics that do not.


what material can float the most?

Materials that are less dense than water will float the most. For example, materials like wood, plastic, and cork are relatively light and will float easily on water.


Do straw float in a glass of water?

Yes, plastic drinking straws will float in water.


Do plastic float on water?

depends if the plastic is heavier or lighter than water and if its hold air which is lighter than water


Do legos float in liquids?

What liquid? Being plastic, they certainly float in water.