What is Density and How Does it Affect Floating Objects?

Read the list of substances: Spoon, Styrofoam cup, Scissors, Pencil. Which substances are likely to float in water?

A) Spoon and Scissors

B) Scissors and Pencil

C) Styrofoam cup and Spoon

D) Styrofoam cup and Pencil

Yep, it’s definitely D. The cup and pencil will have a lower density and will therefore float.

The Styrofoam cup and Pencil have the lowest density among all given substances so they are likely to float in water. Therefore, option (D) is correct.

What is the density?

The density of a substance can be determined as the mass of the substance per unit volume. The average density of any substance equals its total mass of it divided by its total volume.

The mathematical formula of the density for numerical problems can be expressed as follows:

The international S.I. unit of density can be expressed as Kg/m³. The density is an intrinsic characteristic of material because it doesn't depend on the size. If the size of the substance increases, the mass increases as well but the density remains the same.

Styrofoam cup and pencil have the lowest density therefore, they are likely to float in water. Spoon and scissors are heavy and have greater density they will settle on the bottom.