Which has the lowest density?

A
Water

B
Cork

C
Aluminum

D
Steel

Topic Flashcards

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Question

What is the definition of density, and what is its standard unit?

Answer

Density is mass per unit volume. Its standard unit is kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or grams per cubic cubic centimeter (g/cm³).

Question

Rank these materials from least dense to most dense: Cork, Steel, Water, Aluminum.

Answer

Cork (0.24 g/cm³) < Water (1.0 g/cm³) < Aluminum (2.7 g/cm³) < Steel (7.8 g/cm³).

Question

Why does cork float on water while a solid piece of aluminum sinks, even though a large aluminum boat can float?

Answer

Cork floats because its density is less than water. Solid aluminum sinks because its density is greater. An aluminum boat floats because its shape displaces a large volume of water, creating an overall average density (mass of the boat / volume it occupies) that is less than water's density.

Question

Cork's very low density is due to its physical structure. Describe that structure and explain how it affects density.

Answer

Cork has a porous, honeycomb-like structure filled with trapped air. Since air has very low mass, the overall mass of a cork block is low for its size, resulting in a low density (mass/volume).

Question

How is the property of density used in practical applications? (Hint: think of life jackets, ship design, or insulation).

Answer

Low-density materials are used for buoyancy (life jackets, floats), thermal insulation (cork boards, foam), and lightweight construction. High-density materials are used for ballast, radiation shielding, and structural weight.

Mini Quiz

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Is an object's density the same as its weight?

Which has the lowest density?

A
Water

B
Cork

C
Aluminum

D
Steel

The substance with the lowest density is cork.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

Which has the lowest density?

A Water B Cork C Aluminum D Steel

The substance with the lowest density is cork.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
Water

B
Cork

C
Aluminum

D
Steel