Density and Buoyancy: Which Objects Would Sink in Water?

Which objects would sink in water?

1. neither gypsum nor pyrite

2. gypsum

3. Pyrite

4. Both gypsum and pyrite

Answer:

Objects with a density greater than the density of water will sink in water.

According to the principle of buoyancy, an object will sink in water if its density is greater than the density of water. Since the density of water is 1.0 g/ml, any object with a density greater than 1.0 g/ml will sink in water. In this case, gypsum has a density of 2.96 g/cm³, which is greater than the density of water, so it will sink. Pyrite, on the other hand, has a density of 5.0 g/ml, which is also greater than the density of water, so it will also sink.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4: both gypsum and pyrite would sink in water.

So, if you ever wondered why certain objects sink or float in water, now you know! Understanding the concepts of density and buoyancy can help you predict how different materials will interact with water. Dive deeper into the world of science and explore more about Density and Buoyancy to expand your knowledge!