Answer to Question #143384 in General Chemistry for Kenneth

Question

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature with a density of 13.6/cm3
Would a bar of aluminum float or sink in a pool of mpt)rcury? (density of aluminum is 2.70
kg/L. Show your calculation to prove your answer.

Answer 1

Density of aluminum is 2.70 kg/L = 2.70 g/cm³

Density of mercury is 13.6 g/cm³

$\frac{13.6}{2.7} = 5$

Density if aluminum is 5 times less then mercury, so an aluminum bar would float in a bowl of mercury.