Oh, dude, it's all about density, man. The aluminum ball sinks because it's more dense than water, like a lead balloon at a party. The foil floats because it's less dense, kind of like that one friend who always manages to stay afloat in any situation. So, it's basically science doing its thing, you know, making sure things don't get too boring.
The same piece of foil can float or sink depending on its shape and how it is positioned in the water. If the foil is shaped to trap air, it will float. If the foil is crumpled or folded so it doesn't trap air, it will sink.
Crumpling aluminum foil into a ball would not change the mass of the foil, as the amount of material remains the same. However, the volume would decrease as the foil is compressed into a smaller shape, leading to a higher density due to the same mass being packed into a smaller space. The weight of the foil would remain the same regardless of its shape.
A tin foil raft, which is just a flat piece of tin foil (which we know is really aluminum foil), floats by means of the surface tension of the water that supports it. We all know that aluminum is more dense than water. A block or other chunk of aluminum would sink in water. But because the aluminum foil is thin, its mass is "spread out" over a wide area, and this causes a broad interaction with the surface tension characteristic of water. Use the links below to check facts and learn more.
Aluminum foil boats float due to the principle of buoyancy. When the boat is placed in water, the upward force of buoyancy is greater than the weight of the boat, allowing it to stay afloat. The shape of the boat helps displace enough water to create this upward force.
Generally speaking, a denser substance will sink in a less dense substance. Assuming standard temperatures, since aluminum has a density of about 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter and water only has 1 gram per cc, aluminum would sink. A thin aluminum foil could float by virtue of the surface tension on water (but if submerged, will sink). An aluminum boat would float because it displaces a greater mass of water than its own weight. An aluminum block could also float on a liquid of higher density than the aluminum.
No, aluminum foil is denser than air so it will not float on its own. It would require a strong updraft or force, such as being propelled by a fan or other means, to keep it suspended in the air.
The tightly crumpled ball of foil has a smaller volume with less air trapped inside, making it denser and likely to sink. The flat piece of foil has a larger surface area and traps more air, increasing its buoyancy and allowing it to float despite being the same mass as the crumpled ball.
A piece of aluminum foil has a fixed mass and volume, it is flexible, and it is a metal that can conduct electricity.
The aluminum foil is smoother.
A thin aluminum foil can float on water if placed carefully flat on the surface because of the surface tension of water. If you were to submerge it, the foil will sink.
The same piece of foil can float or sink depending on its shape and how it is positioned in the water. If the foil is shaped to trap air, it will float. If the foil is crumpled or folded so it doesn't trap air, it will sink.
Malleable, brittle, ductile
it floats because the xenon gas particles are heavier that the aluminum foil's.
Standard aluminum foil is typically around 0.016 mm thick.
A flat piece of tin foil may float on top of water due to surface tension. A crushed ball of foil does not have near the amount of surface area in contact with the surface of the water, so the surface tension is not sufficient to keep it suspended. Note that if you place a flat sheet of foil in the bottom of a container and pour water in on top of it however, it will not rise to the top to float; you have to place it on top carefully in order to get it to float.
When you fold aluminum foil into a small piece, it can be used to charge a dead battery. The electrical charge is present when it is folded up.
When a small piece of aluminum foil reacts with sulfuric acid, it will produce hydrogen gas and aluminum sulfate as products. The reaction is exothermic, so heat may be observed. Additionally, the aluminum foil will dissolve as it reacts with the sulfuric acid.