Question

activity b: liquid density
get the gizmo ready:
● drag all the objects back onto the shelf.
● check that the liquid density is still 1.0 g/ml.
question: how does liquid density affect whether objects float or sink?

1. observe: place object 1 into the beaker of liquid. slowly move the liquid density slider back and forth. what do you notice?
2. form a hypothesis: buoyancy is the tendency to float. how do you think the liquid density affects the buoyancy of objects placed in the liquid?

Explanation:

Step1: Observe the effect of liquid - density change

When the liquid density is lower than the object's density, the object sinks. As the liquid density increases and becomes equal to the object's density, the object is in a state of neutral buoyancy (suspended in the liquid). When the liquid density is higher than the object's density, the object floats.

Step2: Hypothesize the relationship between liquid density and buoyancy

The greater the liquid density, the greater the buoyant force acting on the object for a given volume of the object submerged. So, as liquid density increases, the buoyancy of objects placed in the liquid increases, making it more likely for the object to float.

Answer:

1. When moving the liquid - density slider, if the liquid density is less than the object's density, the object sinks; when equal, it is suspended; when greater, it floats.
2. The higher the liquid density, the greater the buoyancy of objects placed in the liquid, and the more likely the object is to float.