Question

anna dropped a can of diet cola and a can of regular cola, both having the same volume, into a tank of water. the can of diet cola floated at the top of the water, while the can of regular cola sank to the bottom of the tank, as shown below. which of the following statements explains this difference in behavior? a the can of regular cola has a smaller mass than the can of diet cola. b the can of regular cola has a larger volume than the can of diet cola. c the can of regular cola is more dense than the can of diet cola. d the can of regular cola is less dense than the can of diet cola.

Explanation:

To determine why the diet cola can floats and the regular cola can sinks, we use the concept of density (\( \text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}} \)). Both cans have the same volume. An object floats if its density is less than the fluid (water) and sinks if its density is greater.

• Option a: The regular cola’s mass is compared to diet cola. If regular had smaller mass, it would float (but it sinks), so a is wrong.
• Option b: The problem states both have the same volume, so b is wrong.
• Option c: If regular is more dense than diet, then \( \text{density}_{\text{regular}} > \text{density}_{\text{diet}} \). Since diet floats (density < water), regular’s higher density means it sinks (density > water). This matches the observation.
• Option d: If regular were less dense than diet, regular would float (but it sinks), so d is wrong.

Answer:

C. The can of regular cola is more dense than the can of diet cola.